Private Boat Tour Nice to Monaco: Tailored Riviera Itinerary

You pick the stops; the boat and guide handle the rest.

A private boat tour departing Nice harbor that takes you along the French Riviera coast to Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu, Èze and Mala beach, with a professional guide who shares insider stories and lets you choose which stops to visit. The tour runs four hours or two hours depending on the option you select, includes two bottles of water, and can add a picnic. A live guide speaks English or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Exclusive boat tour from Nice to Monaco

• Depart from Nice harbour
• Explore Port of Nice
• Visit Villefranche-sur-Mer bay
• Enjoy Saint Jean Cap Ferrat peninsula
• See Beaulieu-sur-Mer coastline
• Glance at Èze village from boat
• Stop at Mala beach
• Cruise past Port Hercule in Monaco
• Discover Monaco's luxury and glamour

The Experience

The boat leaves Nice harbor, where traditional fishing boats bob in the water and the city's landmarks frame the departure. From there, the route follows the coast past Villefranche-sur-Mer—a 16th-century fishing port with a curve of shoreline so distinctive it became the backdrop for Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief and films with Sean Connery and Steve Martin. You'll pass Beaulieu-sur-Mer, where Belle Époque royalty once wintered, and catch a glimpse of Èze clinging to the mountainside above the sea. The guide points out Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, the peninsula locals call the richest land on Earth, where you can swim in crystal-clear water if the itinerary includes it.

Mala beach, chosen as one of the most beautiful on the French Riviera, sits just before Monaco. The guide knows secret spots most visitors miss. Then comes Monaco itself—Port Hercule with its megayachts, the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit visible from the water, and the vertical sprawl of the world's most expensive real estate climbing the hillside. Every moment is framed for photos: pastel facades, cliffside villas, the Mediterranean light. The guide shares stories the guidebooks don't—royal secrets, celebrity hideaways, the coast's history told by someone who knows it.

What makes this tour different is that you choose the itinerary. Monaco, Èze, Villefranche, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Mala, hidden beaches—you decide which stops matter to you. The boat is yours alone with your guests and the guide; no strangers, no fixed schedule beyond the time you've booked. Water is included; alcoholic drinks are available for travelers 21 and over. A picnic can be added at checkout if you want to eat aboard. The guide speaks English or French and steers the boat, leaving you free to watch, swim, photograph or simply sit with the Mediterranean breeze.

What’s included

• Two bottles of water per person.
• a professional guide speaking English or French who shares insider stories and steers the boat.
• the choice to visit Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu, Èze, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Mala beach or hidden coves based on your preferences.
• swimming time in crystal-clear water at selected stops.
• an optional picnic available at checkout.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Happy Drive Tours

Is this one for you?Book the four-hour tour if you want time to swim at multiple stops and explore the full coast from Nice to Monaco; choose one of the two-hour options if you're docked in port for a shorter window and want to see Monaco and the highlights without committing a full afternoon.

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Top questions

How long does the boat tour from Nice to Monaco take?

The tour runs four hours for the full itinerary, or you can choose a two-hour option instead—either a day tour or a sunset tour. Both shorter options still visit Monaco and the coast; the four-hour version gives you more time to swim and explore hidden stops.

Can I pick which villages and beaches we visit, or is the route fixed?

You choose the stops. The guide can take you to Monaco, Èze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Mala beach, or hidden coves—you decide which ones matter for your day, and the itinerary is tailored around your preferences.

What is Villefranche-sur-Mer like from the water?

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a 16th-century fishing port with a distinctive curved shoreline, traditional boats, and colorful facades climbing the hillside. It's been used as the setting for famous films including To Catch a Thief and Never Say Never Again, and the bay and old town are favorites with painters and artists.

Is swimming included, or do I have to stay on the boat?

You can swim in the crystal-clear water at stops like Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and Mala beach if your chosen itinerary includes them. The guide knows the best spots and can arrange time in the water during the tour.

What's included in the price, and can I add food?

Two bottles of water are included with every tour; alcoholic drinks are available for travelers 21 and over. A picnic can be added as an extra option at checkout for an ultimate boat experience—you choose whether to add it when you book.

Does the guide speak English?

Yes, the guide is a live professional who speaks English or French, and shares insider stories about the coast's history, royal secrets and celebrity hideaways as you cruise.