How Much Does a Private Boat Charter on the French Riviera Cost?
Understand the full cost of your day: the boat, captain, VAT, fuel, lunch and optional extras. Plan your French Riviera charter with confidence.
View Rates & Check AvailabilityWhat should you budget for a private boat day?
Our main-season full-day charter costs €1,950 for the boat and up to six guests, including your professional skipper and French VAT, plus fuel. Fuel typically adds approximately €300–€800, depending on your itinerary, distance traveled, weather and sea conditions.
A realistic starting budget aboard L’Esquinade is therefore approximately:
€2,250–€2,750For the boat, skipper, VAT and typical fuel, for up to six guests. Lunch, optional catering, transfers, restaurant tender charges and any gratuity are additional.
We prefer to explain this at the beginning so you understand the real cost of your day.
Beaulieu Boat Charters pricing at a glance
The skipper and French VAT are included in these charter prices. Fuel is additional. Our normal full-day summer charter runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM for a maximum of six guests.
| Period | Charter price | Duration / details |
|---|---|---|
| Before May 1 | From €1,350 + fuel | Six hours. Full-day charters also available. |
| May 1–September 27 | €1,950 + fuel | Full-day charter. |
| After September 28 | From €1,350 + fuel | Six hours. Full-day charters also available. |
| Monaco Grand Prix | €2,200 + fuel | Special-event rate. |
| Cannes Film Festival | €2,200 + fuel | Special-event rate. |
Check the booking page for rates and availability for your exact date.
Check Your Charter DateWhat does the €1,950 charter fee include?
- Private use of L’Esquinade, our Sunseeker Portofino 35.
- Up to six charter guests.
- Your professional skipper.
- French VAT.
- Itinerary planning and local recommendations.
- Help arranging restaurants and beach clubs.
- Towels and bottled water.
- Complimentary French rosé.
- Snorkeling equipment.
- Use of the boat’s facilities throughout the day.
L’Esquinade has shaded seating, a bow sunbed, dining space, refrigeration, Bluetooth music, cabins, a kitchenette and a bathroom.
The main significant cost outside the charter fee is fuel. Lunch and other chosen extras are also additional.
How much does fuel cost?
Fuel aboard L’Esquinade is typically approximately €300–€800. Two eight-hour charters can use very different amounts of fuel.
A family cruising around Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche, spending hours swimming and enjoying a nearby lunch, will use less fuel than a group covering considerably more coastline.
Distance traveled
Longer itineraries require more fuel. A local route around Beaulieu, Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche can keep cruising distances shorter.
Cruising or anchoring
A day with long swimming stops and time at anchor differs from a day spent mostly cruising. Weather and sea conditions also matter.
Pickup and drop-off
Alternative ports can add journeys for the boat before and after your charter. Departure arrangements affect the likely fuel cost.
Why is fuel charged separately?
Charging fuel separately lets the cost reflect the day you actually want. Guests choosing a relaxed local itinerary do not need a large fuel allowance built into their charter fee. Tell us your plans and we can provide a more useful estimate beforehand.
The five parts of your private boat day budget
| Cost | What to allow for |
|---|---|
| 1. Charter | €1,950 during the main season, including the boat, skipper and VAT for up to six guests. |
| 2. Fuel | Typically approximately €300–€800, depending on itinerary and conditions. |
| 3. Lunch and drinks | Bring food, arrange catering or choose a restaurant or beach club. Water and French rosé are complimentary. |
| 4. Transfers and tenders | Remote pickups can cost extra. Some restaurants charge separately for tender transfers between boat and shore. We will explain likely charges. |
| 5. Gratuity | Optional and entirely your choice. |
| Boat + skipper + VAT + typical fuel | Approximately €2,250–€2,750 in the main season. |
A typical charter budget example
Imagine a family of four from the United States staying in Nice in July. They depart Beaulieu-sur-Mer for a day around Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche, with sightseeing, swimming and lunch.
With an estimated €400 of fuel, their boat cost would be:
€1,950 + €400 = €2,350Lunch and other optional extras are additional. This is an example, rather than a fixed quote.
The price is for the whole boat. The same €2,350 boat cost covers two, four or six guests. For six guests, that is equivalent to approximately €391.67 per person before lunch and optional extras.
Is the charter price per person?
No. You charter the entire boat for up to six guests. The basic charter price does not increase simply because you have more people, up to that maximum. A couple has the boat privately to themselves; a family or group of six has the same private use.
Captain, VAT, deposit & payment fees
Captain and VAT included
Your professional skipper is included, with no separate skipper fee on our normal rate. French VAT, known as TVA, is also included. Do not add French sales tax on top of the published €1,950 main-season fee.
€250 booking deposit
The booking deposit is €250. After booking, we work with you on the details and send a payment link for the balance a few days before your charter.
Booking and card fees
We do not add a separate booking fee for booking directly with us. A credit-card processing surcharge may apply to some card payments. Check the current payment terms when booking.
Will I be charged in dollars or euros?
Prices and invoices are in euros (€). If you use an American or Canadian credit card, your card provider handles conversion into your home currency. The exchange rate and any foreign-transaction fees are determined by your card issuer.
We publish prices in euros so you can compare the actual charter amount without relying on a dollar estimate that changes with exchange rates.
How much does a Nice-to-Monaco charter cost?
There is no single fixed Nice-to-Monaco fuel price. The total depends on where you board, how much cruising you do, your stops and how the day develops.
A private charter is rarely simply a transfer. Your day might explore Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu, the Èze coastline, Cap d’Ail and Monaco, or continue toward Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Menton. Swimming and lunch stops can shape the route.
Tell us where you are staying and what you would like to see. We can suggest an itinerary with an estimated fuel cost.
Is it cheaper to leave from Beaulieu-sur-Mer?
Leaving from our home port avoids the extra journey needed to collect you elsewhere. Nice pickups can involve port fees, additional fuel and delays. If you are staying in Nice or Monaco, traveling by car to Beaulieu may make better use of your budget and charter time.
We are happy to explain both options so you can decide what suits your group.
Do I need to stay near Nice or Monaco?
Not at all. If you are staying in Cannes, Antibes or elsewhere on the Côte d’Azur, coming to Beaulieu can be a day trip in its own right.
Ask which part of the Riviera you most want to experience. Starting in Beaulieu gives you immediate access to Cap-Ferrat, Villefranche and the coast toward Èze and Monaco. Arrive in the morning, explore from the water and return to your hotel in the evening. Tell us where you are staying and we can help with the logistics.
How much does lunch cost?
It depends on what you choose. Bring food for a simple lunch at anchor, arrange catering aboard, or enjoy a waterfront restaurant or beach club. Restaurant prices vary considerably.
We do not build an arbitrary restaurant allowance into the charter fee. Tell us your preferred atmosphere and budget and we can suggest options.
Can we bring our own food and drinks?
Yes. L’Esquinade has refrigeration, crockery, cutlery, glassware and food-preparation facilities. We can also arrange catering in advance. Water and French rosé are complimentary.
Should Americans and Canadians tip the captain?
A gratuity is not compulsory. If you would like to thank your captain for an exceptional day, it is appreciated. Our guidance is that guests who choose to tip often leave approximately 5%–15% of the charter amount, depending on their experience. It remains entirely optional.
Are there hidden charter costs?
There should not be. Before booking, ask exactly what the advertised price includes:
The main charter fee
- Is VAT included?
- Is the captain included?
- Is it the whole-boat price or per person?
- Are there booking or brokerage fees?
Your chosen itinerary
- Is fuel included or additional?
- Does your pickup port cost extra?
- Are tender charges additional?
- Are there berthing charges?
Inclusions and payment
- Are drinks and towels included?
- What does lunch cost?
- What optional extras have you selected?
- What payment fees apply?
How to compare French Riviera boat charter prices
Ask each operator for the likely total cost of the day you actually want. These hypothetical examples show why headline prices alone can be misleading:
| Item | Charter A | Charter B |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised price | €1,500 | €1,950 |
| Captain | +€250 | Included |
| VAT | +€300 | Included |
| Booking fee | +€150 | None |
| Example fuel cost | +€500 | +€500 |
| Example total | €2,700 | €2,450 |
The lowest advertised price is not necessarily the lowest total. Compare like with like. At Beaulieu Boat Charters, we discuss your plans and explain likely costs before your day.
Private charter or group tour: which offers better value?
A shared excursion generally has a lower price because you buy individual seats. A private charter gives your group exclusive use of the boat, with:
- No other guests.
- An itinerary planned around you.
- Greater flexibility over stops.
- More control over swimming and cruising time.
- Restaurant planning around your preferences.
- A captain focused on your group.
- Freedom to alter plans when circumstances allow.
For couples, the price difference can be significant. For five or six guests, compare the total group cost with the price of individual excursion tickets.
Is a private charter worth it?
That depends on what matters to you. For a short trip at the lowest price, a group excursion may suit you. A private charter is for guests who want the day itself to become part of their Riviera vacation.
Choose who is aboard and the pace of the day. Spend longer swimming or over lunch, and adapt your plans with your captain when conditions allow.
How can I keep the cost lower?
Tell us your budget. A memorable local route around Beaulieu, Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche can reduce fuel use while still including sightseeing, swimming and lunch. More miles do not automatically mean a better day.
Frequently asked questions about charter costs
How much is a private yacht for a day near Nice?
Our main-season full-day charter is €1,950 for up to six guests, including skipper and French VAT, plus fuel. Rates vary by season and special events.
How much should I budget for fuel?
Typically approximately €300–€800 aboard L’Esquinade, depending on itinerary, weather and sea conditions.
Is the captain included?
Yes. The professional skipper is included in our charter rate.
Is VAT included?
Yes. French VAT is included in our published charter prices.
Is the price per person?
No. You charter the whole boat for a maximum of six guests.
Are drinks included?
Complimentary water and French rosé are provided aboard.
Is lunch included?
No. Bring food, arrange catering or choose a restaurant or beach club.
Do I need to tip the captain?
No. Gratuities are optional.
How much is the booking deposit?
The booking deposit is €250.
Can I pay with a US or Canadian credit card?
International credit cards can be used. Payment is in euros and your card provider handles currency conversion. A card-processing surcharge may apply; check the payment terms when booking.
Does pickup in Nice or Monaco cost extra?
Yes. L’Esquinade is based in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Other pickup ports can incur extra costs based on the journeys and arrangements required.
Can you estimate the total before I book?
Yes. Once we understand your itinerary and requirements, we can give a more accurate estimate of the likely overall cost.
Ask us for an itinerary and cost estimate
You do not need to design the itinerary first. Tell us:
- Where you are staying.
- Your preferred date and group size.
- What you would most like to see.
- Whether swimming is important.
- The kind of lunch you would enjoy.
- Whether you prefer relaxed cruising or more coastline.
- Any approximate budget you would like us to work within.
We can suggest a day and explain likely costs before you decide. You should know what you are paying for—and be free to enjoy it.