Boat trip to St. Tropez from the Côte d'Azur and Provence

What will you see during the boat trip to St. Tropez?

The boat trip to St. Tropez is quite an experience in itself. During the boat trip in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez,  you will have a beautiful view of the most luxurious yachts in the world and spectacular villas that give the Côte d'Azur its exclusive character. This, together with the azure waters of St. Tropez is what makes this experience unforgettable. Numerous superyachts and sailing yachts lie in the Vieux Port and the Nouveau Port, the ports of Saint-Tropez, during the high season.  These superyachts are often owned by celebrities or international entrepreneurs. During events such as Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, you will see a mix of classic and ultra-modern yachts, including iconic names such as the 37-metre SilverTip (Yachting Developments) and the 34-metre Geist  (Spirit Yachts). The Wally yachts, known for their futuristic design and speed, can also be spotted, as well as other maxi yachts that participate in regattas. Along the bay and in the hills around Saint-Tropez there is an abundance of exclusive villas, often with infinity pools, large terraces and panoramic sea views. Domains like Les Parcs de Saint-Tropez are known for their secure, luxurious villas with five-star services, privacy, and direct access to the beach. Grimaud Beauvallon is home to high-end design villas with large glass facades, Mediterranean gardens and views over the entire bay. Many villas are owned by international celebrities or rented out for astronomical sums, examples of this are Villa Ama near Pampelonne, Villa Mako and Villa Julia in Les Parcs de Saint-Tropez, and Villa Fleur in Port Grimaud.

Tips for your boat trip

• The ferry service is popular, especially in high season. Book your tickets on time
• Be at the port at least 30 min. before departure to pick up your ticket
• Most boats are wheelchair accessible and suitable for families
• Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a hat
• Bring a jacket in case it's windy on deck
• Food and drinks are not always available on the boat, so you may want to bring your own or plan lunch in Saint-Tropez
• Most ferry services allow 4 to 5 hours to visit St. Tropez
• Wear comfortable shoes, as the old town has many cobbled streets

What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking a boat trip to St. Tropez?

Taking the boat or ferry to St. Tropez during a holiday in France is a nice experience but has advantages and disadvantages. It is wise to consider these before you go to your holiday home on the Côte d'Azur.

Advantages

• The roads to Saint-Tropez are often congested in high season, the boat is a great alternative.
• You visit Saint-Tropez from your holiday park in Provence. You can park your car easily and cheaply in ports such as Sainte-Maxime or Port Grimaud.
• The boat trip is very quick, comfortable and has a frequent sailing schedule.
• Beautiful views of the coastline, luxury villas and the azure blue sea.

• Sail past luxury yachts and hop off directly in the center of Saint-Tropez.
• Going by boat is an environmentally friendly alternative to going by car.
• On most boats you can bring a bicycle, but check in advance.

Disadvantages

• Your journey depends on the ferry schedule. This requires some planning, especially if you want to return late or if it is busy.
• The costs are higher than if you go by car.
• During the high season, the boats can be busy and it is wise to be on time, especially on market days or when the weather is nice.
• You have less flexibility than by car, for example if you want to return late at night or plan trips outside Saint-Tropez.
• When there are strong winds the boat trip can be slightly uncomfortable due to the wind and waves.

From which places on the Mediterranean Sea are there boat trips to St. Tropez?

From several spots on the Côte d'Azur, ferry services and boat trips are offered across the Mediterranean Sea to St. Tropez. Below, we provide an indication of the duration and price so that you don't have to do much further research into getting to St. Tropez. However, still check the websites of the providers.
Sainte-Maxime – There is a ferry to St. Tropez that departs from the port of Sainte-Maxime, right on the promenade. The trip takes 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of boat and how busy it is on the water. During the high season (summer months) the ferry goes very frequently: about every 20 minutes a boat leaves from Sainte-Maxime on the Côte d'Azur to Saint-Tropez. The boats of Les Bateaux Verts are comfortable passenger ships that ensure a quick and safe crossing. You can enjoy the view, the fresh breeze and the water whilst relaxing on the deck. There are no extensive food or beverage facilities on the regular ferries between Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez. It is a short crossing, so there is usually no bar or restaurant on board. Return tickets cost approximately € 13.50 for adults and € 7.50 for children. Tickets are available at the ticket office at the port, online through the official website of Les Bateaux Verts or at the local tourist office.
Cannes – The boat from Cannes takes a lot longer, but does allow you to fully enjoy the coast of the Mediterranean Sea along the way. The boat departs from Quai Max Laubeuf in Cannes, at the end of the Laubeuf car park at around 10:15 with a trip duration of 1.15 hours. The return boat departs at 16:30 and will bring you back to Cannes after a beautiful day-out. The large coastal boat of Trans Côte d'Azur can accommodate about 200 people, return tickets cost about € 67 for adults and €54 for children. You need to be present at the ferry terminal at least half an hour before departure.
Cavalaire-sur-Mer - The main provider of this boat trip is Les Bateaux Verts, an organization that offers multiple ferry services and excursions between the different ports in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The ferry service operates daily during the high season, with several departures per day. The exact departure times can vary depending on the season, but there are usually morning and afternoon departures. The crossing takes about 1 hour and the price is approx. €35 for an adult and €25 for children.

Nice – There are also boat trips to St. Tropez from Nice. The ferry takes about 2.5 hours per way and travels along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The departure from Nice is at 09:00 after which the boat arrives in St. Tropez around 11:30. At 16:30 the return boat departs, and will bring you from St. Tropez back to Nice, this means you have around 5 hours to explore St. Tropez. The ferry departs from Quai Lunel in the port of Nice. The ferry usually goes daily,  but do check availability in advance and order your tickets on time. The prices for a return ticket are approx. € 100. The most popular boat service is Trans Côte d'Azur, which makes use of a boat that can accommodate about 300 people. Cruise along the beautiful French Riviera coast and enjoy views of Cannes and the Lérins Islands along the way.
Fréjus and St. Raphaël – The boat trips from Fréjus to St. Tropez are provided by the boat tour agencies Bateaux Bleus and Bateaux Verts. The crossing departing from Port Fréjus takes approx. 25 min. These boat trips do not depart every day, but you can expect a boat to depart at least on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 8:00, 10:00 and 12:00. These are the market days in St. Tropez and perhaps the best days to visit St. Tropez from your villa in Provence. From St. Raphaël there are more frequent crossings, during the high season the boat leaves 4 times a day. A return ticket is approx. €40. During the boat trip, you will pass some of the most beautiful parts of the Var coast, with views of hotspots such as Saint-Aygulf, Les Issambres, Sainte-Maxime and Port Cogolin.
Port Grimaud – The Bateaux Verts ferry departs from the Port Grimaud and travels along a beach on the Mediterranean sea to St. Tropez. The trip takes about 20 mins and two ferries depart every hour during the high season. There is room to sit both inside and outside on the boat.
Le Lavandou - The ferry from Le Lavandou to St. Tropez takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. During the high season (usually from May to September), the ferry to St. Tropez runs daily from the port of Le Lavandou, from the Quai des Iles d'Or (8 Quai des Îles d'Or, 83980 Le Lavandou). The crossing is carried out with a fast passenger boat, suitable for short to medium distances by sea. The boats are comfortable and offer views of the coastline and the luxury yachts in the port of St. Tropez. The main provider of this ferry service is Vedettes Îles d'Or & Le Corsaire and Bateaux Verts. The prices are approx. € 58 for an adult and € 43 for children.