St. Tropez Port Grimaud Day Trip: Boat Ride Coastal Drive

A short boat ride across the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, then an afternoon in the village itself.

A day trip from Nice that combines a scenic boat crossing from Sainte-Maxime to St. Tropez with a self-guided afternoon in the town and a coastal drive back through the Esterel Massif. The boat ride (May–September) takes 15–20 minutes across the Gulf; the optional one-hour guided harbor tour (April–October) explores the Citadelle, old town and celebrity villas. Private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle and a guide in English or French are included; you choose whether to add the boat tour of the harbor itself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat trip and explore Saint-Tropez

• Arrive in Sainte-Maxime
• Board scenic boat to Saint-Tropez
• Enjoy 15–20 minute boat ride
• Explore Saint-Tropez for two hours
• Visit old town and waterfront cafés
• Optional visit to Citadelle de Saint-Tropez

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Nice hotel and a drive to Sainte-Maxime, where you board a boat for the crossing to St. Tropez. The 15–20 minute ride cuts across the Gulf of Saint-Tropez with views of the Mediterranean coastline and the yachts anchored offshore. You arrive in the village itself, not at a dock outside it.

Once ashore, you have roughly two hours on your own to move through St. Tropez at whatever pace suits you. The old town is walkable—narrow streets, waterfront cafés, the harbor lined with restaurants. The Citadelle de Saint-Tropez, a 17th-century fortress overlooking the village, houses a maritime museum and offers views back across the coast; entry is separate from this tour. If you book the optional one-hour guided boat tour, a guide takes you out on the water to see the beaches, the Citadelle from the sea, and the villas that line the shoreline. That tour runs April through October and is not included in the base price.

The return journey to Nice follows the winding roads of the Esterel Massif, a coastal mountain range with a stop at a secluded viewpoint for photos. The full day is nine hours from pickup to drop-off. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and soft drinks are provided; you arrange and pay for meals separately.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Nice hotel.
• the boat crossing from Sainte-Maxime to St. Tropez.
• an air-conditioned vehicle.
• soft drinks.
• a guide in English or French.
• the scenic return drive through the Esterel Massif with a photo stop.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by RivieraWander

Is this one for you?The boat ride is short (15–20 minutes) and the day involves moderate walking through St. Tropez on your own terms, making it suited to travelers who want coastal scenery and a famous village without a rigid itinerary. The optional harbor tour adds structure if you prefer a guide for part of the afternoon.

Top questions

How long is the boat ride from Sainte-Maxime to St. Tropez?

The boat crossing takes 15–20 minutes across the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, with views of the Mediterranean and anchored yachts along the way.

What can I do during the two hours in St. Tropez?

St. Tropez gives you free time to explore the old town on foot, eat at waterfront restaurants, relax at a café, or visit the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez (a 17th-century fortress with a maritime museum and coastal views). Entry to the Citadelle is not included.

Is the guided boat tour of St. Tropez harbor included?

The guided harbor tour is optional and costs extra. It runs April–October and lasts one hour, taking you past the beaches, Citadelle and celebrity villas from the water.

What happens on the drive back to Nice?

The return route follows the Esterel Massif, a winding coastal mountain range, with a stop at a secluded viewpoint for photos before you arrive back in Nice.

What is included in the tour price?

Private transportation from your Nice hotel, the boat ride to St. Tropez, an air-conditioned vehicle, soft drinks, and a guide in English or French are included. Meals and the optional harbor tour are separate.