Boat Trips from Monaco

Going out to sea from the Rock

With two harbours just 2 km apart, Monaco is a natural launchpad for exploring the Riviera by sea. This page covers short recreational trips; for crewed yacht hire, see the dedicated Yacht charters in Monaco guide.

The Bateau Bus: a €1.50 mini-crossing

The Bateau Bus, run by the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco, is the cheapest way to step onto a boat in the Principality. The electric shuttle links Quai des États-Unis (below Avenue d'Ostende, Monte-Carlo side) to Quai Antoine Ier (La Condamine side), threading between superyachts in about three minutes. It runs continuously from 7:00 to 21:00. The fare is €1.50 on a contactless card, €5.50 for a day pass, and free for residents aged 65 and over.

It is a mini-excursion in itself: the perspective on Port Hercule, the Rock, and — during the Monaco Yacht Show or the Grand Prix — the temporary event infrastructure is more than worth the three-minute crossing.

Coastal day trips

Beyond the harbour, several formats are available from Quai Antoine Ier (Port Hercule) or from Port de Fontvieille:

• Half-day along Cap Ferrat: Monaco → Cap d'Ail → Èze-sur-Mer → Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat → Villefranche-sur-Mer. Around 3–4 hours with a swim stop.
• Day trip to the Italian Riviera: Monaco → Menton → Ventimiglia → San Remo. About 6–8 hours; bring ID for the maritime border crossing.
• Sunset cruise: 1.5 to 2 hours, particularly fine in June and September when the sun sets around 21:00.

Shared RIBs typically start at €500–€800 per day fuel-excluded for a group of 6–8. Private skippered trips on a 10–15 m motor yacht run €1,500–€3,500 per day depending on size and season.

Cetacean watching and the Pelagos Sanctuary

Monaco's waters are part of the Pelagos Sanctuary, a trilateral agreement between France, Italy and Monaco signed in 1999 and entered into force in 2002, protecting 87,500 km² between Provence, Sardinia and Tuscany. Eight cetacean species are regularly recorded there: fin whale, sperm whale, long-finned pilot whale, bottlenose dolphin, striped dolphin, common dolphin, Risso's dolphin and Cuvier's beaked whale. For the wider ecological context, see the Marine conservation in Monaco guide.

Dedicated whale-watching operators rarely board passengers in Monaco itself: usual departure points are Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (15 min by car), Cannes (45 min) or Imperia on the Italian side. Trips run 4–8 hours and cost €60–€90 per adult. Sighting odds are best June–September in calm sea conditions.

Recreational and sport fishing

Charter fishing is covered in detail in the Fishing in Monaco guide. In short: no licence is required for recreational fishing, French regulations apply to Monegasque waters, and day charters run roughly €400–€1,500 depending on the boat.

Seasonality and conditions

Booking and practical points

• When to book: 2–4 weeks ahead in high season (July–August), and several months for the Grand Prix (late May) and the Monaco Yacht Show (late September), when access to Port Hercule is restricted.
• Boarding: most operators are at Quai Antoine Ier or Quai des États-Unis. The Yacht Club de Monaco also organises outings for its members and guests.
• What to bring: sun protection, a light windbreaker (the breeze is noticeable from 15 knots), light-soled shoes to avoid marking the deck, and ID if the route enters French or Italian waters.

See also

• Yacht charters in Monaco — crewed and bareboat hire
• Fishing in Monaco — species, charters, rules
• Marine conservation — Pelagos Sanctuary and ecosystem
• Yacht Club de Monaco — regattas and nautical events
• Port Hercule — main boarding quays