A trip to the beautiful city of Nice is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.
From the stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and its picturesque landscape to the rich cultural heritage, wonderful weather, and stunning architecture, there’s something really special about this place.
But if you really want to make your trip unforgettable and explore the area from a different perspective, sailing is one of the best ways to view Nice’s stunning coastline and nearby islands and even have the opportunity to snorkel and swim in the summer.
Furthermore, it provides the opportunity to relax away from crowded beaches with some peace and tranquility while enjoying the unmatched beauty of nature along Nice’s coast.
Looking for the best boat tours in Nice? We’ve got you covered.
In this guide, you will find 10 of the best boat tours from Nice that you should consider during your visit.
🏆 BEST BOAT TOUR FROM NICE
Don’t have time to read about all the tours on the list? No worries — the best boat tour from Nice is this Private French Riviera Solar Boat Cruise. It has about more than 100 stellar reviews, so you can’t go wrong.
10 Best Boat Trips from Nice
When you are done reading, you might also enjoy reading about the Best Food Tours in Nice, and the best Wine Tours from Nice.
1- Private Boat Tour on the Côte d’Azur
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
Explore the French Riviera and sail to Cannes or Monaco on this exclusive private tour for up to four people.
Admire the beautiful Mediterranean sea and stop to swim or snorkel if you wish.
There is no better way to experience the lifestyle and sea view than with a boat tour! I really enjoyed it.
Skipper Adrian was a really great captain. He was truly accommodating, keen on everyone’s safety and on us having fun
One of the best experiences I had in Nice, one I plan on repeating!
– Bethany
Planning a trip to the South of France? Then make sure to follow my Instagram and join my Facebook group for the best tips, places, and hotels on the French Riviera. You can also get a custom itinerary made by me here or check out my travel guides for Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Tropez.
2- Evening Private Tour on Electric Catamaran near Nice and Monaco
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
Also private, this luxurious tour that will have you sailing from Beaulieu-sur-Mer and admiring views of the stunning Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is the ultimate French Riviera experience.
This experience was the absolute highlight of our trip to the South of France!
The boat itself was spotless and so much fun to experience considering it was electric (so quiet and peaceful).
The views were the best from any beach we went to with natural landscapes and cool facts about homes and yachts.
We wished we could have done this ride more than once during our stay. 10/10 recommend and hope to return one day!
– Elizabeth
3- Nice to St Tropez Ferry Ticket and Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 4.96 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
Why not sail to Saint Tropez for a day during your trip?
With this tour, you will leave Nice early in the morning and spend the day exploring one of the most charming towns in the world. Return to Nice at night just in time for dinner!
If you like the sea and boats, this excursion is for you.
We had a comfortable 2.5 hour ride to St. Tropez from Nice enjoying the ultramarine water and the beautiful coastline.
I really liked the upper deck under the roof. It had the best views, it’s more stable, and you get fresh air without the burning sun. The cruise boat crew was friendly and caring. I
The 2.5 hours to St. Tropez went by quickly. St. Tropez, where we had about 4.5 hours on our own, is a charming town with winding streets, fancy and affordable boutiques intermixed, and plenty of options of people watching.
– Janna
⛱️ Looking for the best places to eat, stay, and explore in Nice?
In my Nice Travel Guide, you will find all the best addresses, unique day trips, restaurants, hotels, and hidden gems in Nice. Planning your trip to the South of France has never been easier ❤️
4- Saint-Laurent-du-Var: 4-Hour Fishing Trip
⭐️ RATING: 4.96 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
Love fishing? Then this is definitely the tour for you.
Learn sophisticated and classic fishing techniques while you sail and fish in the gorgeous waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
We spent al great day fishing with Romain. He went out of his way to have us catch some real fish.
I will never forget his special technique of hunting Atlantic Bonito. Marvelous active fishing. Caught a big one myself!
– Get Your Guide Review
5- Private Cruise Near Nice and Monaco with Solar Powered Boat
⭐️ RATING: 4.99 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hours | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
See some of the French Riviera’s most beautiful views on this private cruise. From the boat, you will get to see Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, and Villa Kerylos from a privileged perspective.
There is always a piece of magic that turns a vacation into a special experience.
Our family spent 2 hours on Guillaume’s solar powered boat floating around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and swimming in the mediterranean sea.
– Get Your Guide Review
6- Coastline Boat Cruise from Nice to Monaco
⭐️ RATING: 4.7 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
Looking for a boat tour from Nice to Monaco? This is the one.
Sail among the coast of both France and Monaco and take refreshing swimming breaks in this 2,5 hour tour.
Great views as you track along the coastline in the way out with an opportunity to stop for a swim in the sea.
I think we were near Beaulisol at that point, before a float around Monaco harbour taking in the super yachts and views before a relatively high speed trip back to Nice port. So much fun!
– Get your Guide Review
7- Small Group Cruise to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat
⭐️ RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
Set sail on a rigid inflatable boat in the direction of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, one of the most beautiful places in the South of France, in the company of a small group.
You will also have the opportunity to jump in the water and do some snorkeling while you are at it.
Fantastic trip!! Our captain was skilled at maneuvering boats. and at the same time told about the different bays we sailed into. The trip ended with the most beautiful dip in the clear water, in one of the most beautiful bays.
– Get Your Guide Review
8- French Riviera Villefranche Bay Snorkeling Tour from Nice
⭐️ RATING: 4.96 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
See the French Riviera’s marine life from up close in this snorkeling tour from Nice to Villefranche.
It was gorgeous!! A lot of fish, very clear water, and you could even find some octopus and starfish if you were lucky. Definitely going again!
– Cheryl
9- 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise to Villefranche Bay
⭐️ RATING: 4.6 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
Villafrance is undoubtedly one of the most stunning spots along the coast of the French Riviera.
During this tour, admire the impressive villas and the beautiful harbor while sunbathing and enjoying the Riviera’s perfect weather.
The boat ride to Villefranche Bay was delightful. Beautiful, amazing views, some history and enjoyable narration. Wonderful to be on the water. A must to get a view from the water and to add a dimension to time in Nice.
– Get Your Guide Review
10- Mediterranean Coastal Sightseeing Cruise from Nice
⭐️ RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 hour | 🛥️ BOOK NOW
Last but not least, this coastal sightseeing cruise is another of our favorites.
Admire the medieval villages, cliffs, and turquoise colors of the sea as you sail for one hour in this unforgettable experience.
This was such a beautiful and relaxing tour. It was the first thing we did in Nice and we were glad we booked it. Great way to see the sights.
– Denise
Other tours & fun things to do in Nice
After you are done with your tour, it is time to explore the other wonderful activities Nice has to offer.
These are some of our favorites:
- Climb to the stairs of Castle Hill for one of the best views of Nice
- Explore Nice’s culinary scene on a food tour
- Walk along Promenade des Anglais
- Go on a day trip to Monaco, Antibes, and Éze
- See art at Musée Chagall and Musée Matisse
- Learn about Nice’s history and Old Town on a walking tour
What to pack for sailing in Nice
When going on boat tours from Nice, it is important to pack the right items to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
The weather in Nice is 90% of the time sunny, so there are certain items that should be taken with you regardless of the season.
For those sailing in Nice, some items you should take include a sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water shoes, swimsuits, and towels.
Additionally, it can be helpful to bring a few snacks and drinks to keep hydrated.
→ Read: Île Sainte-Marguerite, the best day trip from Cannes
Where to stay in Nice
Nice has many wonderful hotels, resorts, and apartments for visitors to stay in during their boat tours from Nice.
Here are some of our top picks:
- La Pérouse – a Mediterranean heaven
- Le Petit Palais – a gorgeous villa with a pool
- Hotel Villa Les Cygnes – a romantic french villa
- Palais Saleya – for stunning luxurious rooms
- Hôtel Suisse – wonderful views of the sea
You might also enjoy reading about The Best Hotels in Nice and the Best Boutique Hotels in Nice.
Conclusion: The Best Boat Tours from Nice, France
That’s a wrap! Now you are officially ready to embark on a sailing adventure in Nice.
Oh! And if you are visiting the South of France soon, check out my travel guides, follow my Instagram and join my Facebook group for more hidden gems and travel tips. Happy travels!
Plan the perfect trip to the French Riviera
👗 Find all my favorite addresses in Nice on this travel guide.
📕 Get a personalized French Riviera itinerary here or check out my other travel planning services
🗺️ Book guided tours through Get Your Guide and Viator.
🛏️ Find the perfect hotel on Booking.com.
