How much does a yacht charter in Cannes cost?
Price depends on type, duration, season and crew — always by quote.
Key takeaways
- The price of a yacht charter in Cannes is given by quote: it depends on the type of boat, the duration, the season and the crew.
- A day-boat by the day is the most accessible option; a crewed motor yacht and then a weekly charter step up from there.
- On a crewed charter the rate covers the boat and crew; fuel, food and berths run through the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), around 25–35% of the fee.
- High season and how far ahead you book weigh on the budget more than anything else.
Why the price is given by quote
The cost of a yacht charter in Cannes does not fit a single price grid, and that is normal: too many variables set it. The type and size of boat, the duration — a day or a week — the season and the make-up of the crew move the figure several-fold. That is why a serious charter is priced by quote, after a real conversation about the day or the trip you have in mind.
The right question is not “what is the rate?” but “which boat, for what programme, in which period?”. Once those three points are settled, the price becomes clear and comparable from one offer to the next.
The four factors that set the price
Boat type and size
This is the first lever. A RIB or day-boat to reach the Îles de Lérins is the most affordable option. A crewed motor yacht for the day sits well above it, and every extra metre of length, like a higher level of finish, feeds into the rate.
Duration
A day keeps the budget contained and the radius tight around Cannes. A week opens the whole Riviera but commits the boat and crew continuously: the cost is not seven times a day, but it changes scale.
Season
High season — June to September, and especially the weeks of the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Cannes Yachting Festival in September — pushes rates up and thins availability. In the shoulder season, the same boats are easier to secure and the sea is calmer.
Crew and level of service
A day-boat can sometimes be hired without crew; as size increases, a skipper then a full crew (captain, deckhand, chef, stewardess) add to both the rate and the level of service.
Budget benchmarks by boat type
We do not publish fixed rates — every quote is built for a specific day — but here are the broad benchmarks that shape a Cannes yacht charter budget.
| Boat type | Typical duration | Crew | What weighs most on price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day-boat / RIB | Half or full day | Optional skipper | Size, fuel, season |
| Motor yacht | Full day | Crewed | Length, finish, APA |
| Sailing yacht or catamaran | Full day or more | Skipper or crew | Space, comfort, season |
| Weekly charter | 6 to 7 days | Full crew | Length, crew, itinerary, APA |
Understanding the APA and VAT
On a crewed charter the headline rate covers the boat and its crew. Fuel, food, drinks, berths and anchoring fees fall under the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) — typically 25–35% of the charter fee, paid up front and then reconciled at the end against actual spend. If you spend less, the balance comes back to you.
VAT on the service applies according to time spent in French territorial waters, which is one reason an itinerary that ventures into Italian or Monegasque waters can change the tax treatment. For a day-boat the logic is simpler: a daily rate, with fuel sometimes charged on top. A good quote states clearly what is included, what falls under the APA, and how any VAT is handled, so the final figure holds no surprises.
How a quote is built
- You describe the day or week you want: guest numbers, mood, destinations.
- We propose boats that genuinely fit, never the most expensive on the list.
- The quote sets out the boat, the crew, the planned itinerary and how the APA is calculated.
- After the trip, the APA is reconciled against actual spend, with receipts.
What the rate does not include
Two items often escape a quick read of a quote. The crew tip, customary on a crewed charter, is generally 5–15% of the charter fee and remains at your discretion, paid at the end of the trip. Optional extras — fuel for the water toys, special provisioning requests, transfers ashore, a berth in a sought-after port at the height of season — usually come from the APA rather than the base rate. None of these is a surprise: they appear on the quote or are settled through the APA, with receipts. That is the whole point of a clear framework: you know in advance what belongs to the rate, what belongs to the allowance, and what depends on your choices on board.
Keeping the budget sensible without losing quality
A few simple decisions lighten the bill without taking anything from the day. Choosing the shoulder season — late spring or early autumn — gives access to the same boats on easier terms. Right-sizing the boat to the real guest count avoids paying for unused space. Booking early, finally, secures the right boat before high season tightens supply.
Our advice
Tell us the day you have in mind: we propose boats that genuinely fit, never the most expensive on the list, and the quote sets everything out before any commitment. Rather than starting from an abstract budget, start from the day you want to live: it is the day that points to the right boat, the right duration and the right period, and the fair price follows naturally. A short conversation is usually worth more than any price list — it lets us match a real boat to a real plan, and gives you a figure you can trust.
How much does a yacht charter in Cannes cost for a day?
The price for a day depends on the type and size of boat, the season and the crew, and is always given by quote. A day-boat or RIB is the most accessible option, while a crewed motor yacht sits well above it. Tell us the day you have in mind and the number of guests: we propose boats that genuinely fit, never the most expensive on the list, with a detailed quote before any commitment.
What is the APA in a yacht charter?
The APA — Advance Provisioning Allowance — is a sum paid before departure, usually around 25–35% of the charter fee, that covers running costs: fuel, food, drinks, berths and anchoring fees. It is reconciled at the end of the trip against actual spend; if you spend less than the allowance, the balance is returned to you. The charter fee itself covers the boat and its crew.
Does the season change the price of a charter in Cannes?
Yes, clearly. High season, June to September, and especially the weeks of the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Cannes Yachting Festival in September, push rates up and thin availability. In the shoulder season — late spring and early autumn — the same boats are easier to secure, often on easier terms, and the sea is calmer.
Is fuel included in the charter price?
On a crewed charter, fuel is not included in the headline rate: it falls under the APA, along with food and berths. On a day-boat hired by the day, fuel is sometimes charged on top of the daily rate depending on the distance covered. In every case, a good quote states clearly what is included and what depends on actual consumption.