Pickup in Saint-Raphaël · From May 11, 2027
A private boat tour from Saint-Raphaël along the Esterel coast
Navima Riviera runs private boat tours from Saint-Raphaël along the Estérel coast for up to 8 guests, with a professional skipper, over a half day (about 4 hours) or a full day (about 8 hours). The boat comes down from Cannes, about 35 minutes away, to meet you, and that crossing is factored into your quote.
- Guests
- Up to 8
- Pickup
- Saint-Raphaël, Agay or Port-Fréjus, for example
- To Saint-Tropez
- About 30 min from Port Santa Lucia
- To the Lérins Islands
- About 25 min from Agay
- Season
- May 11 to late October 2027
- Price
- On request — contact us
Where the boat picks you up: Saint-Raphaël, Agay, Fréjus
Agay, Anthéor, Le Dramont and Boulouris are districts of Saint-Raphaël; Fréjus is the next town west. Berths are never guaranteed in these harbors, so tell us yours when you request a quote, or see other pickup areas toward Saint-Tropez and Porquerolles.
Saint-Raphaël: the Old Port and Port Santa Lucia
The Old Port lies in the town center; Port Santa Lucia, the larger marina, sits a little further east toward Boulouris.
Agay, beneath the red rocks
Agay's small harbor sits in a bay ringed by red Estérel rock, where a barrier reef of posidonia seagrass forms a natural lagoon. It is the nearest of these harbors to Cap Roux and the coves of Anthéor.
Port-Fréjus
Port-Fréjus opens onto the bay shared with Saint-Raphaël. Fréjus itself was founded by Julius Caesar around 50 BC as Forum Julii, a naval base.
How long by boat from Saint-Raphaël?
Times start from the harbor named; they depend on sea conditions.
| Route | Time by sea |
|---|---|
| Port Santa Lucia to Saint-Tropez | About 30 min |
| Agay to Saint-Tropez | About 40 min |
| Agay to Cap Roux | About 10 min |
| Agay to the Lérins Islands | About 25 min |
| Port Santa Lucia to the Lérins Islands | About 35 min |
| Port Santa Lucia to the Old Port of Cannes | About 35 min |
| Port Santa Lucia to Monaco | About 1 h 15 |
Crossing times at 30 knots, approximate. Théoule-sur-Mer and the north end of the Estérel are covered on boat rental with skipper in Mandelieu and Théoule.
Boat trips from Saint-Raphaël: red rocks, coves and the Île d'Or
The sea off the Estérel is a Natura 2000 site of posidonia meadows, rocky reefs and sand; your skipper drops anchor on sand, wherever the wind and swell allow that day.
Red cliffs and coves
The massif's red rock is volcanic (rhyolite) and drops straight into the sea between Agay, Anthéor and Le Trayas. Between the headlands lie coves (calanques) such as Saint-Barthélémy, Maupas or Aurelle, where your skipper may stop for a swim at anchor if the sea allows. Off Cap Roux, a 445-hectare (1,100-acre) zone is closed to all fishing.
The Île d'Or, seen from the sea
Off Cap Dramont, the Île d'Or (Golden Island) carries a red stone tower built for Dr. Auguste Lutaud, who proclaimed himself its sovereign, Auguste I. The island is said to have inspired Hergé's The Black Island, a Tintin adventure. It is private, so the boat passes by without landing, sea permitting.
Le Dramont and the 1944 landing
On August 15, 1944, the US 36th Infantry Division landed on Le Dramont beach, code-named Camel Green. The landing craft on the esplanade bears the number of LST-282, hit that evening.
Summer evenings and regattas nearby
In July and August, the fireworks of Les Nuits de Port-Fréjus begin around 10:30 pm on several evenings, and from late September Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez fills the neighboring gulf with sailing yachts. To watch from the boat, ask in your quote request.
Pick-up and drop-off along the coast: Antibes · Nice & Villefranche · Mandelieu & Théoule · French Riviera
Questions
Can we go from Saint-Raphaël to St Tropez by boat?
Yes, by private boat: about 30 minutes from Port Santa Lucia, depending on sea conditions, one way, round trip or with the boat for the day. See private boat trips to Saint-Tropez.
How far is Saint-Raphaël from Cannes by boat?
About 14.5 nautical miles (27 km or 17 miles) from Port Santa Lucia to the Old Port of Cannes, roughly 35 minutes depending on sea conditions, past Agay, Cap Roux and Théoule.
Can we see the Esterel red rocks from the boat?
Yes. Between Agay and Le Trayas the red rock meets the sea; near the shore the boat slows to 5 knots, which leaves time to take in the cliffs before a swim in a cove.
Can you pick us up in Agay or Fréjus?
Yes: in Agay, at Port-Fréjus or another nearby harbor, or from a yacht at anchor in the bay; your quote confirms the meeting point.
Can we stop at the Île d'Or (Golden Island)?
Not ashore: the Île d'Or is private. Your skipper brings you close enough to see its tower from the water, sea permitting.
Is the Esterel coast better by boat or by car?
The Corniche d'Or road runs above the red cliffs between Saint-Raphaël and Mandelieu-la-Napoule; the boat follows the same shore at sea level and can stop for a swim in a cove.
Plan your Estérel boat tour
Send your date, the number of guests, your harbor and how long you want at sea. The quote is free, with a same-day reply in season; the price is per boat, including VAT.
On request — contact us
