Reach
Saint-Tropez
by sea
Twenty minutes from Sainte-Maxime, no traffic, mooring right in the village. Old Port, Pampelonne and iconic beach clubs within reach — with the flexibility of a private fleet.
Why Saint-Tropez is best experienced from the sea
Driving to Saint-Tropez in July-August means 90 minutes of coastal-road jams, a nowhere-to-park nightmare at €25/half-day, and crowds piling into Place des Lices by 11am. Arriving by sea means twenty minutes from Sainte-Maxime, a quay slot booked the day before, and entering the village through Tour du Portalet — the way regulars do.
Our fleet is based in Sainte-Maxime, directly across the Gulf. Twenty-minute smooth crossing, a skipper who knows the 5-knot corridors and harbour-master VHF codes, and you spend the day between the Old Port, Pampelonne (15 min south), Canoubiers Bay or the private beaches. That fluidity is the real difference between enduring Saint-Tropez and actually enjoying it.
Saint-Tropez, from fishing village to myth
Founded in 68 AD as Heraclea Caccabaria, the village took its current name in the 11th century in tribute to Saint Torpès — a Roman centurion martyred in Pisa. Until the 1950s, Saint-Tropez remained a quiet fishing village, guarded by its Vauban Citadelle and Tour du Portalet.
Everything shifted in 1956 with Roger Vadim's "And God Created Woman" — Brigitte Bardot, Pampelonne beach and the Tropezian myth were born together. Colette, Signac and Matisse had already set up their easels here. The port now welcomes 80,000 people daily in summer, but the village core — the Ponche alleys, Place des Lices, the Citadelle — still fits in a one-hour walk.
The insiders' handbook
43.2727°N · 6.6406°E
Harbour master at quai de l'Épi
VHF 9 · +33 4 94 56 68 70
Book 24-48h ahead
~€60 (8m) · ~€180 (18m)
Based on boat size and season
Tour du Portalet
Enter between the 2 moles, waiting zone SE
Canoubiers Bay
43.2770°N · tender to Tour du Portalet
CROSS 196 · 112
Marine police · maritime emergencies
The 8 places to know
Sénéquier
Legendary café
Since 1887 · €6 coffee · €9 tart
La Vague d'Or
3 Michelin stars
Bouillabaisse beach · €280/person
Le Girelier
Port fish house
Quai Jean Jaurès · €80/person
Colette
Chic bistro
Passage des Bénédictins · €110
Place des Lices
Pétanque + market
Tue & Sat mornings · 8 min walk
Annonciade Museum
Signac, Matisse, Cross
€6 entry · closed Tuesdays
Citadelle
Vauban fortress
Gulf panorama · maritime museum €8
K Jacques
Tropezian sandals
Rue Aire du Chemin · €180
Reservations advised 48-72h ahead in July-August for Michelin restaurants. We handle bookings at no charge if notified 48h before departure.
Pick your boat for Saint-Tropez
For a smooth crossing and elegant Old Port mooring, we recommend our nimble day cruisers. Yacht available for premium occasions.
6 ready-to-book days around Saint-Tropez
Ready-made programmes: Pampelonne, Old Port, Cap Taillat, sunset, Estérel calanques. All departing from Sainte-Maxime.
20 destinations reachable by boat
Each port has its own page: travel time from Sainte-Maxime, spots to see, restaurants, suggested anchorages.
Transparent pricing
4h
Half day
Ideal village visit
From 350€
Per boat, to share
- 20-min crossing + village
- Skipper +€200
- Mooring included (if booked)
8h
Full day
Saint-Tropez + Pampelonne
From 550€
Per boat, to share
- Village + private beaches
- Skipper +€400
- Fuel at cost
Corridors & protected zones
The Gulf of Saint-Tropez is governed by strict rules. Our skippers know them — here's what to know if you sail yourself.
5-knot zone near beaches
Mandatory within 300m of each beach (Pampelonne, Graniers, Salins). Regular marine-police checks — up to €1,500 fine.
Natura 2000 zones
Anchoring banned on posidonia beds (visible surface markings). Canoubiers, L'Escalet, Cap Taillat included. Use AOT buoys.
Passes and access
Old Port approach between the 2 moles, dominant morning WSW wind. SE waiting zone if moorings full. VHF channel 9 contact before approach.
In case of trouble
CROSS Med: 196 or VHF 16. Saint-Tropez marine police: +33 4 94 97 00 07. All our boats carry VHF, GPS, liferaft.
The Tropezian calendar
Bravades of Saint-Tropez
Historic armed procession, tradition since 1558. May 16-18.
Nuits du Château de la Moutte
Classical music festival in the gardens. Open-air concerts.
14 July fireworks
Fired from the jetty. Best spot = from water, Canoubiers Bay.
Fête de la Mer
Nautical procession and boat blessing. Parade from the Old Port.
Giraglia Rolex Cup
Offshore race Saint-Tropez → Giraglia (Corsica). Yachts pass offshore.
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
The legendary regatta, 300+ yachts. Watch from water with our dedicated itinerary.
Book Les VoilesThe 4 iconic shots
Arrival from the sea
Citadelle backdrop, pastel façades of Quai Jean Jaurès. Perfect angle 300m off Tour du Portalet, light 5-7pm.
Anchored off Club 55
The Pampelonne postcard. 80m anchorage, group on front deck, Club 55 + dunes behind.
Canoubiers sunset
Saint-Tropez silhouette against setting sun, yachts in background. "Bay of Stars" — the regulars' spot.
Cap Camarat lighthouse
1831 lighthouse backlit, 129m above sea. 25 min sailing from Saint-Tropez.
Onboard photographer option (+€150) — 50+ wedding and brand shoots delivered in 2025.
Mooring handled
VHF booking with the harbour master, manoeuvre handled by our skippers, express passage with no waiting in season.
Restaurants booked for you
Sénéquier, Club 55, Bagatelle, La Vague d'Or. We book 48h in advance at no extra charge.
Concierge service
Onboard caterer, photographer, birthdays, bachelor parties. Tell us what you want, we handle it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach Saint-Tropez by boat from Sainte-Maxime?
Twenty minutes by calm sea. Depart Quai Léon Condroyer in Sainte-Maxime, southeast heading, arrive Saint-Tropez Old Port or anchor at Canoubiers Bay. Skips the 90-minute coastal-road jam in July-August.
Can you moor at Saint-Tropez Old Port?
Yes, subject to 24-48h advance booking via the harbour master (VHF channel 9 or phone). 3-hour flat fee around €60-80 depending on boat size. Without a slot, anchor at Canoubiers Bay and tender to Tour du Portalet — drop-off 2 minutes on foot from the village.
Which beaches can we reach from Saint-Tropez by boat?
Pampelonne (Club 55, Nikki Beach, Tahiti) 15 minutes south. Plage des Graniers 5 minutes. Cap Taillat and L'Escalet 25 minutes. Each beach has its own profile — we build the itinerary to suit your group and the day's wind.
Do I need a boating licence to sail around Saint-Tropez?
To operate yourself, yes — French coastal licence or recognised international equivalent. Otherwise our professional skipper comes on board (+€400/day, +€200/half-day). They handle VHF, Old Port mooring and tricky high-season manoeuvres.
Which Saint-Tropez restaurants are boat-accessible?
Sénéquier and Quai 55 on the Old Port (walking from the mooring). La Vague d'Or (3-star Michelin) on Bouillabaisse beach, 10 min by taxi. Club 55 and Bagatelle at Pampelonne via tender from your anchorage. 48-72h booking advised in season — we handle it free.
Best season to visit Saint-Tropez by boat?
June and September: 23°C water, calm sea, relaxed vibe, 20% cheaper. July-August: peak season, 3-6 weeks advance booking, events (Sailing Week, 14 July fireworks). October: last beautiful days and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
Can I rent a boat for a bachelor/bachelorette party in Saint-Tropez?
Absolutely — our most-requested use. Typical day: 10am departure, Pampelonne anchorage, Nikki Beach lunch, swim, sunset aperitif. 8-10 pax boat from €650, split €80-110 per person. Premium champagne option +€80.
How much does a boat day in Saint-Tropez cost?
Full day (8h): €550-950 depending on the boat, excluding fuel (€80-200 depending on route). Half day (4h): €350-650. Add €400/day for a skipper. Priced per boat, shared 6-10 people — €80-150 per person for a premium day.
Ready to reach Saint-Tropez ?
Personalised quote within 2 hours including mooring, itinerary, skipper and extras. No deposit before written confirmation.