Renting a Boat in Monaco

Most people who "rent a boat" in Monaco actually hire it with a skipper: a RIB or a small motor yacht for a half-day or a day along the coast. Driving yourself is possible, but only with a licence that Monaco accepts. This page covers the rules for both; full-week crewed charters on larger yachts are explained in the guide to crewed yacht charter from Monaco.

With or without a skipper

Boats with a skipper are listed by local operators and by booking platforms, and nearly all of them leave from Port Hercule. Ask for the exact quay and whether fuel is included — on fast RIBs fuel is often billed on top of the hire. For indicative day-trip prices and the public Bateau Bus, see the boat excursions guide.

Licences: what Monaco accepts

Monaco issues its own permis de conduire des navires de plaisance à moteur through the Direction des Affaires Maritimes:

• Category A — motor pleasure boats within 5 nautical miles of the coast.
• Category B — no distance limit.
• Open to Monegasque nationals and residents, after a theory and a practical exam.
• Fees: €59 in total (two payments of €27 and €32 to the Direction des Affaires Maritimes).

Foreign licences. Only French and Italian licences benefit from recognition in Monaco. A resident holding a French licence can obtain the Monegasque equivalent by presenting the original licence and a copy, for €32. Visitors from other countries should not assume their national licence is valid here and should rent with a skipper unless the renter confirms otherwise in writing.

Contact: Direction des Affaires Maritimes, 20 quai l'Hirondelle, +377 98 98 22 80, Monday–Friday 9:30 am–5 pm.

Monaco's two ports

Both harbours are run by SEPM (Société d'Exploitation des Ports de Monaco), which handles all berth bookings through its client portal.

Port Hercule (La Condamine)

• 760 berths, deep enough to take cruise ships up to 300 m at the outer pier
• Capitainerie +377 97 77 30 00, VHF 12 (monitored 24/7)
• Reception 7:30 am–9:30 pm in season, watchman 24/7
• The only fuel station for both ports (BP), plus black-water pumping
• More on the harbour in the Port Hercule guide

Port de Fontvieille

• 290 berths, maximum draught 3 m — a harbour for smaller boats, not superyachts
• Capitainerie +377 97 77 30 15, VHF 9
• Reception 7:30 am–9:30 pm in season, watchman 24/7

Just across the border, the French port of Cap-d'Ail is often used by operators serving Monaco when the Principality's berths are full.

Rules on the water

• Speed: 3 knots maximum inside both ports.
• Larvotto marine reserve: about 33 ha of posidonia meadow off Larvotto beach — boats are banned from entering it.
• Spélugues reserve: the coralligenous drop-off at the entrance of Port Hercule — no anchoring.
• Swimming zones: the buoyed bathing areas off the beaches are closed to motor boats in summer.
• Weather: check the marine forecast before a self-drive trip — summer seas are usually calm, but wind can build quickly in spring and autumn.

The reserves are managed by the Association Monégasque pour la Protection de la Nature; see marine conservation in Monaco. If you plan to dive from a boat, Monaco has two clubs, covered in the scuba diving guide.

Before you book

• Confirm whether the price includes fuel, skipper and VAT.
• For self-drive, have your licence and ID ready and expect a damage deposit.
• In July–August and during event weeks (Grand Prix, Yacht Show), book several weeks ahead; outside summer, a day or two is usually enough.