Baie des Fourmis by Private Boat:
Riviera Elegance Close to Home
Historic villas, Belle Époque buildings and the green slopes of Cap Ferrat. Discover a particularly elegant stretch of coastline on a private charter from Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
Some of the loveliest scenery is almost outside our front door
Baie des Fourmis is Beaulieu Boat Charters’ home territory, with a very different charm from the rugged coves and dramatic cliffs farther east.
The bay lies between Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Along its shore sit the Plage de la Baie des Fourmis, a small marina and one of Beaulieu’s most distinctive architectural landmarks: Villa Kérylos.
Behind the waterfront rise Beaulieu’s Belle Époque buildings and the mountains above Èze. On the Cap Ferrat side, villas and Mediterranean greenery add another layer to the view.
Sometimes guests assume that the best stop must be the one farthest from where they started. Baie des Fourmis is a lovely reminder that a beautiful boat day can include taking a little more time close to home.
An elegant view of Beaulieu and Cap Ferrat
Villa Kérylos gives the bay an immediately recognisable landmark. Built in the style of an ancient Greek residence, it brings a distinctive architectural character to the water’s edge.
Across the setting are the beach, the small marina and Beaulieu’s historic buildings, with the steep Riviera landscape rising behind. From a boat, the relationship between the waterfront and the mountains becomes part of the experience.
On the Cap Ferrat side, Villa Fleur du Cap adds to the shoreline’s character. Higher on the peninsula lies Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, among the landmarks associated with this elegant part of the coast.
Villa Kérylos
The villa’s ancient Greek inspiration gives Baie des Fourmis a landmark unlike the grand hotels and Belle Époque residences found elsewhere along the shore.
Beaulieu and the mountains
Look back towards the waterfront and the hills rising above it. The contrast between the elegant town and the steep landscape is part of the bay’s appeal.
The Cap Ferrat shoreline
Villas, gardens and wooded slopes give the peninsula its green profile. Enjoy the setting from the water, with landmark views depending on the boat’s position.
Sometimes the best part of a Riviera boat day is discovering how much beauty was beside you from the beginning.
Make time for a relaxed pause in the bay
Because Baie des Fourmis is close to our home port, it can be considered at either end of a charter. Perhaps an early first swim before travelling farther, or a gentler finish to the afternoon.
When a suitable permitted stop is available, enjoy time in the water or stay aboard and take in the scenery. Not everyone needs to enjoy the stop in the same way.
For guests who value swimming and relaxing as much as covering distance, a nearby bay can fit naturally into a satisfying day on the coast.
Every stop depends on the actual day
Being close to our departure port does not guarantee that the bay will be suitable for stopping. Wind, sea state and boat traffic all affect the decision.
Your skipper assesses local navigation and anchoring rules, the conditions and the protected seabed before selecting a stopping place.
Anchoring must respect Posidonia seagrass and the regulations applying at the exact location. We do not promise a fixed anchorage in advance.
A flexible part of your private charter itinerary
Baie des Fourmis can complement a wider day around Cap Ferrat or along the eastern Riviera. Its proximity to Beaulieu makes it a useful area to discuss when planning your balance of cruising and stopping.
There is no need for a nearby stop to become the whole focus of the day. Sometimes it is simply the right place to slow down before continuing.
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Begin at Port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Meet your skipper and discuss your group’s priorities. Explain whether you prefer more sightseeing, longer swims or a relaxed local itinerary.
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Enjoy the scenery close to home
Take in the Beaulieu waterfront and the nearby Cap Ferrat coastline. Your skipper will consider whether Baie des Fourmis is suitable for a stop.
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Continue along your agreed route
Explore more of the peninsula or head farther along the coast, according to the day’s plan, conditions and available time.
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Leave room for an unhurried return
If conditions and timing suit, a nearby stop can be considered later in the afternoon before returning to port.
Tell us how you want the day to feel
If you would rather spend more time enjoying a few lovely places than cruise a long distance, say so when planning. Your skipper can help choose appropriate stops for the day.
There is no need to go ashore to appreciate the bay
Much of Baie des Fourmis’ appeal lies in the view from the boat: the waterfront architecture, the greenery of Cap Ferrat and the mountains behind Beaulieu.
Relax with your own group, take photographs or enjoy a drink aboard. A simple pause can be enough to appreciate the character of the place.
If lunch aboard appeals, discuss your plans beforehand. L’Esquinade has dining space, refrigeration and kitchenette facilities. Food and catering are separate arrangements.
A coastal view and a shore visit are different experiences
Villa Kérylos, Villa Fleur du Cap and the nearby heights of Cap Ferrat help explain the architectural character of this stretch of coastline.
Seeing a landmark from the water does not include entry to a villa or its grounds. Any proposed shore visit needs separate planning for access, timing and tickets where applicable.
Discover the coast aboard L’Esquinade
Our Sunseeker Portofino 35 is reserved for your group of up to six charter guests, with a professional English-speaking skipper.
Tell us who is joining you and what would make the day enjoyable. We can help balance the route with the time you want for swimming and relaxing.
- Departure from Beaulieu-sur-Mer near Nice.
- Personal itinerary planning.
- Complimentary water, French rosé and towels.
- Snorkelling equipment and floats aboard.
- Dining space, refrigeration and kitchenette facilities.
€1,950 plus fuel, for your private boat
The charter fee includes your professional skipper and French VAT, for a private group of up to six guests. Children and babies count towards the six-guest limit.
Typical summer hours are 10am–6pm. A €250 deposit secures your booking. Fuel, food and optional extras are additional.
See Prices & What’s IncludedVisiting Baie des Fourmis by boat
Where is Baie des Fourmis?
Baie des Fourmis lies at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, beside the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. It is close to our standard departure point at Port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, between Nice and Monaco.
What makes the bay worth visiting?
Its appeal is the elegant setting: Villa Kérylos, the Beaulieu waterfront, the Cap Ferrat shoreline and the mountain backdrop. It offers a different atmosphere from the rugged coves farther east.
Can we stop for a swim?
A swimming stop may be possible at a suitable permitted location. Your skipper assesses the conditions, traffic, local restrictions and the seabed before choosing where to stop.
Is it always sheltered or quiet?
No. Wind, sea state, boat traffic and the time of day affect the bay. Its proximity to Beaulieu does not guarantee suitable swimming or anchoring conditions.
Can we see Villa Kérylos from the water?
Villa Kérylos is a distinctive waterfront landmark in the bay. The exact view depends on the boat’s position and visibility on the day.
Does the charter include a villa visit?
No. Entry to Villa Kérylos or other villas and gardens is not included. A shore visit requires separate planning for access, opening times, tickets and the charter itinerary.
Can we combine the bay with other Cap Ferrat stops?
Yes. Baie des Fourmis can be considered within a wider itinerary around Cap Ferrat and the nearby coastline. Discuss your preferred balance of cruising, swimming and lunch. Stops depend on conditions and available time.
Could we stop here near the end of the day?
Its proximity to our home port makes it an area to consider for a later pause. Whether that works depends on your route, remaining time and conditions when you return.
Is this a separate fixed-price excursion?
This page describes a possible destination within your private charter. Our main-season full-day charter costs €1,950 plus fuel, including your skipper and French VAT. Contact Alex to discuss your preferred day.
What happens if the bay is not suitable?
Your skipper can recommend an alternative permitted stop according to the conditions and the experience your group wants. A particular anchorage is not guaranteed in advance.
Explore more of the nearby coastline
Discover the beauty close to Beaulieu
Tell us your preferred date, number of guests and the kind of day you would enjoy. We will help plan your private charter from Beaulieu-sur-Mer.