Yacht charter in Mandelieu, bareboat or with a captain

Mandelieu-la-Napoule sits at the head of the Gulf of La Napoule, between the red cliffs of the Esterel and the Bay of Cannes. A sailboat charter in Mandelieu starts from Golfe-Juan or Saint-Raphaël, on either side of town, or from Port Grimaud and Marines de Cogolin, farther west. You can charter bareboat, with a captain, or with a full crew, from about $2,200 a week in low season (2027 median prices).

Which sailboat should you charter in Mandelieu-la-Napoule?

Most charter boats near Mandelieu are monohulls from 32 to 50 feet, sleeping 4 to 8; catamarans (40 to 50 feet) and crewed luxury yachts are also available:

• The monohull sailboat: the most common type of boat in the area and the most affordable choice. It slips easily into the narrow anchorages of the Esterel and gives you a real feel for sailing as it heels.
• The sailing catamaran: it offers more space and stability than a monohull, with generous living areas and up to 6 cabins. It suits families and large groups who spend a lot of time at anchor.
• The luxury sailing yacht: monohulls and large catamarans from 60 to over 90 feet, only available with a professional crew. They are popular on the Riviera.

Sailboat charter options in Mandelieu

Filovent offers three options for your sailing vacation from Mandelieu:

• Bareboat sailboat charter: you, or a qualified member of your group, skipper the boat and choose your own route. This option requires sailing experience.
• Skippered sailboat charter: a professional captain handles the sailing and the harbor maneuvers, which can be tricky on the French Riviera in summer, and picks anchorages to suit the wind. A captain costs about $2,800 per week. You can also add a host, who takes care of meals and keeping the boat tidy. The captain and the host each need their own cabin, which leaves fewer cabins for your group.
• Crewed sailboat charter: included on luxury sailing yachts and available on some large catamarans, the crew is made up of a captain, a host, and, on most boats, a chef. You just pick the stops.

How much does a sailboat charter in Mandelieu cost?

The table below shows the median price of a one-week bareboat charter for the 2027 season, departing from Golfe-Juan for monohulls and from Saint-Raphaël for catamarans, the two charter ports closest to Mandelieu. Prices vary depending on the dates, the model, the year built, and the boat's equipment. Late May is slightly more expensive than the rest of the low season.

Included in the price: the boat charter with its navigation and safety equipment.

Not included in the price: the mandatory package (end-of-charter cleaning, dinghy with outboard and its fuel, $410 to $640 per week depending on the boat), insurance, captain or host, fuel for the boat, marina fees during stopovers, and provisioning. A security deposit is also required at check-in: $3,400 to $4,600 for a monohull and up to $5,700 for a catamaran.

For a luxury sailing yacht or a large crewed catamaran, prices vary widely depending on the boat and the time of year: expect to pay from $13,700 per week. Lina, our crewed charter specialist, will send you a customized selection.

We recommend purchasing our cancellation insurance, which covers every member of the crew, whereas individual travel insurance or the coverage provided by your credit card only protects the cardholder. Damage waiver insurance is also highly recommended, and charter companies make it mandatory when a professional captain is on board: in crowded Riviera marinas, it's easy to bump the dock, and this insurance lets you recover a large part of your security deposit if the boat is damaged.

Where do sailboats depart from around Mandelieu?

No charter boats leave from Mandelieu itself, even though the town has seven marinas, including the port of La Napoule, the port of La Rague, and Cannes Marina. Charter boats in the area mainly depart from Golfe-Juan to the east, 8 miles away as the crow flies, where most monohulls are based, and from Saint-Raphaël to the west, 12 miles away, where most catamarans are based. Other boats depart from the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, from Marines de Cogolin (25 miles) and Port Grimaud (27 miles). You can expand your options even further with a yacht charter in Cannes or a yacht charter in Antibes.

Where can you sail from Mandelieu in one week?

In one week from Mandelieu, you can reach the Lérins Islands, the Esterel coast, Cap d'Antibes and Monaco, or the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, and enjoy everything a yacht charter on the French Riviera has to offer. The table shows approximate distances by sea from Golfe-Juan, in nautical miles:

• The Gulf of La Napoule and the Lérins Islands, just opposite. The archipelago is made up of two islands: Sainte-Marguerite, with its Fort Royal, where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned, and Saint-Honorat, still home to a community of Cistercian monks. The Plateau du Milieu anchorage between the two islands offers shallow water sheltered from the open sea.
• The Esterel coast to the west. The Esterel's red cliffs drop straight into clear water. The coves of Théoule-sur-Mer, the Bay of Agay, and the Île d'Or off Cap Dramont offer unspoiled anchorages, just minutes from Saint-Raphaël.
• Cap d'Antibes and the Riviera to the east. After Golfe-Juan and Juan-les-Pins, you round Cap d'Antibes and its villas before reaching the Baie des Anges, the Bay of Villefranche, and then Monaco.
• The Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the Hyères Islands farther southwest. On a one-week charter, you can sail as far as Pampelonne Beach, Saint-Tropez, and Port Grimaud, or even Port-Cros and Porquerolles if the weather allows.

When is the best time to charter a sailboat in Mandelieu?

The sailing season runs from April to October. In July and August, air temperatures often exceed 80°F and the sea reaches 72 to 75°F, but anchorages and marinas are very crowded. June and September offer the best balance: the water is already pleasant (68°F in June, 72°F in September), temperatures are mild and the Lérins Islands are less crowded.

Here are the average temperatures recorded in recent years in the Bay of Cannes:

Sailing conditions around Mandelieu

The Gulf of La Napoule is a sheltered stretch of water, well protected by the Esterel massif. In summer, sailing here is relaxed, with a thermal sea breeze that picks up in the early afternoon and dies down in the evening.

Three winds are worth keeping an eye on: the mistral, from the northwest, which often arrives weakened in this area but can kick up a short, steep sea offshore; the easterly wind, which brings swell and cloud and makes some anchorages uncomfortable; and the libeccio, a less frequent but sometimes strong southwesterly. Check the Météo-France marine forecast every morning before choosing your anchorage for the night.

A few rules apply along the coast: speed is limited to 5 knots within 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) of the shore, marked swimming areas are off-limits to boats, and the protected seagrass meadows (posidonia), which are widespread around the Lérins Islands, should be avoided when anchoring: drop anchor on sand and use the designated mooring areas. In July and August, remember to reserve your marina slips several days ahead, especially in Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Tropez.

What documents do you need for a bareboat sailboat charter in Mandelieu?

In France, the law does not require a license to skipper a sailboat, whether a monohull or a catamaran, regardless of its size (a license is only mandatory for motorboats over 6 hp). However, charter companies set their own requirements, and for most boats departing from Golfe-Juan and Saint-Raphaël, the skipper must provide:

• a sailing résumé detailing their experience (trips sailed, types and sizes of boats, role on board), to be completed in your customer account when you book;
• a boating license, for example an ICC, or a bareboat certification such as ASA or US Sailing where the charter company accepts it;
• a valid passport.

Requirements vary from one charter company to another and are listed for each boat. Some large catamarans are also only available with a professional captain. If you don't have a license, a skippered charter is the simplest solution.

Sailboat charter in Mandelieu: FAQ

How do you get to Mandelieu-la-Napoule?

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE), served by seasonal direct flights from New York and by flights from major European cities, is about 20 miles away by road. From the airport, it takes about 30 minutes by car to Golfe-Juan and about an hour to Saint-Raphaël. By train, Mandelieu-la-Napoule station is on the Marseille-Ventimiglia coastal line, which also serves Golfe-Juan and Saint-Raphaël, and Cannes station, a few minutes away, has direct TGV high-speed trains from Paris.

Can you sail to Corsica from Mandelieu?

Calvi is about a hundred nautical miles away, a crossing of 15 to 20 hours. It is possible for an experienced crew, on a suitable boat and in good weather, but a week is short for the round trip. The charter company must also explicitly allow this trip: if Corsica is your goal, a yacht charter in Corsica is often the more comfortable option.

Can you charter a sailboat for just a few days?

Charters in the area usually run for a week, especially in peak season. Shorter trips are available on request, depending on each charter company's availability.

Do you need to book your sailboat well in advance?

For July and August, we recommend booking the winter before, ideally by January or February: newer monohulls and catamarans on the French Riviera get snapped up quickly. In the off-season, a few weeks' notice is usually enough, with more options and lower prices.

How do I book my sailboat in Mandelieu?

After you request a quote, a Filovent advisor will call you to discuss your dates, your group, and your sailing experience. They will then email you a selection of suitable sailboats, with the exact departure port and the documents required. Once you've made your choice, paying a 50% deposit from your customer account confirms the booking and reserves the boat. The balance is due 6 to 12 weeks before departure, depending on the charter company. If you cancel more than 90 days before departure, the deposit is non-refundable; within 90 days, the full charter price is due.

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