A Day on the Nice Coast by Boat, Morning to Sunset

You can spend a whole day on the water from Nice and never board the same kind of boat twice: a catamaran in the morning, a RIB with a landing in the afternoon, and a sunset boat in the evening. This guide fits them together. If only the evening appeals, the Nice sunset boat tours are compared on their own page.

How does a whole day on the water fit together?

A morning boat, an afternoon boat and an evening one, all from one port. Each leaves from its own quay in the Port of Nice, and each is short enough to leave a gap for lunch and a rest.

The RIB and the sunset boat publish their times by date, not in a fixed timetable. Check both before you book the morning, and keep at least an hour between one boat's return and the next one's check-in.

What happens on the morning catamaran?

AMC Cape Grace boards its maxi-catamaran at 9:20 on the pontoon below Quai Amiral Infernet. You sail along the Promenade des Anglais, across Villefranche bay and past the cape to Beaulieu-sur-Mer. The crew talk you along the coast as you go.

Then the boat anchors for 30 minutes, with paddleboards, masks and snorkels, and serves a planter's punch and soft drinks. You are back in the Port of Nice at 12:30. You sail barefoot or in socks, and a late arrival is not refunded.

Where do you eat between boats?

At the port itself. You land at 12:30 with the afternoon ahead, and restaurants stand along the quays; several boats use them as meeting landmarks. None of these boats serves lunch, so eat properly now.

Keep it light if you get seasick. Carry water for the afternoon, because the three-hour RIB does not include any.

What does the afternoon RIB add?

Nissa Croisières' three-hour RIB takes 12 at most. It stops for ten minutes at the Mala beach, swims for 45 minutes off Paloma beach, then puts you ashore in Villefranche-sur-Mer for 45 minutes. It is the one shared trip here that lands you in the town.

Snorkel gear and a life jacket are provided; a towel and water are not. The boat has no toilet. Nobody under 5, over 110 kg or pregnant may board.

Which sunset boat ends the day?

The sunset RIB, from the same tram-stop quay at Port Lympia, anchors in Villefranche bay for wine, local snacks and a swim, then comes home past the Cap de Nice. It sails until 30 October, for two hours in summer and 90 minutes in October.

The alternative is the sunset catamaran from the morning's pontoon, with a planter's punch at anchor. It boards at 19:30 from May to July, 19:00 in August and 18:30 in September, and its printed timetable ends on 5 October.

How do you get between the quays?

The day's boats use the same port, on different quays. The catamaran uses the pontoon below the admiral's quay, and the RIBs meet in front of the tram stop. Our map of the departure points marks each one.

Walk it once the day before if you can. The RIBs refuse late arrivals, and 15 minutes early is the rule there.

Tram line 2 ends at Port Lympia, so if you are staying near the airport or the city centre, you can ride it to the port for the morning. Allow time for the tram, and more for the walk to the right pontoon.

What does the day cost?

Here is the day at each trip's listed price, per person.

Swap the sunset RIB for the catamaran and the evening costs $84 instead. Swap the three-hour RIB for the two-hour trip to the Mala cave and the afternoon costs $74.

Why this order?

The morning catamaran is the fixed point. It boards at 9:20 and is back at 12:30, whatever the date. The RIB and the sunset boat publish their times by date, so you fit them around it.

Book the catamaran first, then pick an afternoon RIB that leaves after lunch, then the sunset boat that suits the RIB's return. Every trip here refunds in full if you cancel 24 hours ahead, so you can hold all three while you check the times.

Can you swap in a day in Monaco?

Yes, on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday until 31 October. The scheduled boat leaves the ferry desk at 09:30, reaches Monaco at 10:15 and sails back at 17:00, and you are in Nice at 18:00. That replaces the morning and the afternoon.

From May to July the sunset catamaran boards at 19:30, which leaves you time to eat after the ferry. In August it boards at 19:00, which is tighter. From September it boards at 18:30, too soon after an 18:00 return, so take the sunset RIB on a later date instead. The boat tours from Nice to Monaco page compares the Monaco boats.

What about a private boat for the day?

If your party is four or five, a charter can replace the morning and the afternoon. The four-hour charter from the Port of Nice takes up to four people for $987, with the skipper's fee, the fuel, drinks and snorkel gear in the fare. Happy Drive Tours takes up to five for four hours at the same price.

You then choose the bays, and you spend the whole time together on one boat. Add a shared sunset boat in the evening, or keep the charter for the afternoon and take the morning catamaran first. Our guide to what a private boat costs adds up each charter.

What can you do with 45 minutes in Villefranche?

Enough for a walk along the harbour front and a drink, not much more. The RIB brings you in and takes you out again on its own schedule, so keep an eye on the time.

If the town appeals, come back another day by land and give it longer. Our page on things to do from the water covers what you pass from the water and what is worth a visit ashore.

Is there a half-day version?

Yes. Pick one of them and give the rest of the day to the city. For a morning, the catamaran. For an afternoon, the two-hour RIB to the Mala cave. For an evening, a sunset boat.

If you only have an hour, the 1-hour cruise leaves at 11:00 and 15:00, daily except Monday, for $33. It has commentary and no swim.

What if the sea is rough?

The operator decides on the day. Nissa Croisières postpones or cancels with a refund in bad weather, and a catamaran captain may choose a calmer anchorage. If your morning is cancelled, the afternoon may still sail.

Keep a spare day in your trip if the boats matter most. On a day the boats stay in, our page on things to do from the water covers the coast from the shore.

Can you do this day with children?

Only if they are 5 or older, because the Nissa RIBs refuse younger children. With a younger child, keep the morning catamaran, which calls itself ideal for families, and swap the RIBs for the 1-hour cruise.

A whole day of boats is a lot for anyone small. The half-day version may suit a family better.

What should you carry all day?

• Swimwear, worn under your clothes, so you are ready at each anchor.
• A towel. Neither RIB provides one.
• A hat and sunscreen. The RIBs have no shade.
• Water, for the afternoon RIB.
• A warm layer for the ride home at sunset.
• Your bookings on your phone, with each quay noted.

Wear shoes you can slip off. The catamaran asks you to sail barefoot or in socks, and it stores your shoes while you sail.

Frequently asked questions

The trips that make up the day

Nice: Morning Discovery Tour | Côte d'Azur Coastline

Three morning hours on a maxi-catamaran with a crew who guide, then a stop at anchor with paddleboards, snorkels and a planter's punch.

From $84 per person

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Half Day Guided Boat tour to Mala caves with stop in Villefranche

Three hours on a 12-seat RIB: a stop at the Mala beach, a swim off Paloma beach and 45 minutes ashore in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

From $87 per person

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Nice: Sunset Boat Tour with Wine and Local Snacks

An evening on a 12-seat RIB with wine and local snacks, turning at Cap de Nice as the light goes. Sails until 30 October, 90 minutes in October.

From $62 per person

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