The 15 Best Cruises & Boat Tours in Nice

1.1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise to Villefranche Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,747 reviews · 1 hour · from $33Our pick

Spend one hour aboard a sightseeing boat from Nice’s Port Lympia. Hear live French and English commentary as you pass Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, luxury villas, and the Promenade des Anglais. Drinks are available onboard, but bring cash.

“Great 1 hour trip to the bay. All the staff and the boat excellent. Good commentary about all the places where we visited. Would definitely recommend it.”

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2.Mediterranean Coastal Sightseeing Cruise from Nice

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 887 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

Board Trans Côte d’Azur’s boat at Quai Lunel for a one-hour cruise from Nice. Hear French and English commentary as you pass the Promenade des Anglais, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap de Nice, Cap Ferrat, yachts, villas, and hillside villages. The boat returns to Nice, making this an easy first look at the coast.

“Very nice tour of the beautiful Nice coastline. Definitely recommend for a relaxing outing while in Nice.”

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3.Coastline Boat Cruise to Monaco

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 464 reviews · from $85

Cruise from Nice toward Monaco aboard a semi-rigid Black Tender with an English- or French-speaking captain. You’ll pass Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and La Mala, with time for coastal views, fast rides, and possible swimming stops.

“Fantastic morning out! Our guide (Flo) was very knowledgeable and made the boat ride heaps of fun. If you have the time I couldn’t recommend this activity enough! We were able to stop and have a swim near one of the caves we were shown. A truly incredible experience that I would do all over again!”

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4.Sunset Boat Tour with Wine and Local Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 430 reviews · 1h 30m · from $64

Cruise from Port Lympia to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche Bay with a French or English-speaking guide such as Leo, Jean-Baptiste, or Paul. Swim and snorkel from the boat, share wine and homemade Niçois food, then watch sunset over the Mediterranean.

“What a fun outing! Jean Baptiste was engaging, funny, and informative. We enjoyed swimming near Villefranche and then watching the sun set near the port of Nice.”

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5.French Riviera Swimming and Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 424 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Join Le Poseidon at its Nice diving center for a short wooden-boat cruise to Villefranche Bay. You get about an hour in the water near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, with snorkel gear, crew supervision, and a wetsuit if needed. You must swim without a life jacket.

“It was very fun, I was scared at first but i slowly realized that the water pulls you up so you don’t drown. I’m not that great of a swimmer but I loved it very much and it’s was worth it”

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6.Nice to St Tropez Ferry Ticket and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 320 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $125

Make your own way to Nice’s Quai Lunel, board a clean ferry, and cruise 2.5 hours each way to Saint-Tropez. You’ll have several hours to explore independently, with possible stops near Cannes and Sainte-Marguerite Island. There is no guide, so plan your own day.

“Best choice was going to St Tropez by the Ferry. Beside to be comfortable, clean and ON TIME, the view elevate your experience in another level! 10 of 10! ❤️”

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7.Villefranche Bay Swimming & Snorkeling Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 130 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Meet the Le Poseidon team at Nice harbor, fit your mask, snorkel, and fins, then cruise by boat toward Villefranche Bay or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. After a safety briefing, you get about 90 minutes to swim and spot fish, octopus, starfish, and sea urchins in calm, shallow water.

“Such an amazing experience! The guides were funny and helpful, and we got to see some amazing fish :)”

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8.Exclusive Private Boat Tour on a Luxury Day Cruiser – Nice/Monaco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $604Top rated

Spend about 2.5 hours with Captain Nicola on a private day cruiser from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Cruise past villas and caves, swim near Eze-sur-Mer and Mala Beach, use snorkeling gear and a summer seascooter, and enjoy French aperitif snacks, pastries, fruit, and drinks onboard.

“Nicola was a fantastic tour guide and his boat is beautiful! My wife and I had an amazing time, the highlight of our stay in Nice. We swam in the crystal blue water and Nicola prepared a very nice lunch for us. Thank you Nicola, we had the BEST time!”

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9.Boat trip and snorkeling in Villefranche – sur – Mer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 86 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $72

Meet at 14 Quai des Docks in Nice for a two-hour outing toward Cape Nice or Cap Ferrat. Guides such as Chris and Benoit provide fins, masks, snorkels, and wetsuits when needed, then allow about an hour to explore calm Mediterranean water and spot fish, octopuses, and other sea life.

“Saw tons of fish and enjoyed the freedom to explore. The guide was kind and helped make sure everyone felt comfortable.”

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10.Secret Riviera Boat Tour to Mala cave with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $78

Set out from Nice with a small group of up to 12 on a fast coastal boat. Guides such as Paul, Leo, and Jean-Baptiste point out Riviera sights before stopping near Mala Cave for about 30 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. Expect music, humor, sea spray, and no onboard toilet.

“Said 11:30. They texted randomly 11:15. Got there at 11:20 which I informed them of and they left without me anyway. 11:30 Is 11:30. Total waste of money and inconsiderate host.”

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11.Private Tour of Nice by Bike and Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $372

Explore Nice’s old town, markets, squares, and castle hill by guided pedicab, then board a private boat at Port Lympia for a two-hour cruise past Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Guides such as Oscar and Mehdi add local stories, photo stops, and time for swimming.

“Wonderful way to get acquainted with the city! Opportunities to take pictures, ask questions and even shop a bit.”

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12.Coastal boat tour from Villefranche-Sur-Mer to Monaco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews

Meet at 7 Place Wilson in Villefranche-sur-Mer, check in at the maritime station, then cruise past Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Èze, Cap-d’Ail, and Monaco. A sailor gives live commentary in French and English. Bring sun protection, and expect the trip to depend on good weather.

“Wonderful cruise down the coast to Monaco and back for £25! Highly recommended as everything was efficient and the trip incredibly relaxing. Couldn't hear the guide over the speakers AT ALL as it just wasn't loud enough or clear enough but this did not detract from the trip in any way. If you want a cheap, relaxing couple of hours, this is it.”

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13.Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Sunrise Boat Trip with Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 47 reviews · 2 hours · from $76

Leave Nice Port Lympia before sunrise with a skipper and up to 11 other passengers. Cruise past Villefranche-sur-Mer to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat for a swim, snorkel, dolphin spotting, local breakfast, coffee, and coastal commentary in French or English.

“Super belle activité ! Le départ a 5h55 pique un peu forcément mais ça vaut vraiment la peine. Nous avons été chaleureusement accueillies par notre guide Jean-Baptiste des l’arrivée, bateau super propre et agréable pour naviguer. Nous avons eu droit à de belles chansons tout au long de l’activité, avec un arrêt plongeon face au lever du soleil. Un petit déjeuner sucré servi sur le bateau face a la vue magnifique. Plusieurs explications à plusieurs endroits sur Nice et ses environs. À faire absolument !”

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14.Dinner at Sea on a Maxi Catamaran – Villefranche, Cap Ferrat

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 29 reviews · 3h 30m · from $116

Sail from Nice aboard the French-made Maxi Catamaran Mayba, watch the sunset toward Villefranche-sur-Mer or Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat, then anchor for a buffet dinner, drinks, and optional paddle time. French and English are spoken. The route changes with weather and local rules.

“Det var lite cruise på sjøen, kjørte til ei bukt, ankret opp å folk kunne bade der. Satt å ventet på mat det skulle være buffet, men vi fikk restriksjoner om hvor mye vi kunne forsyne oss med pr.pers. Det var verken øl eller vin før maten, da var det en drink i mugger som di lagde ombord, med alt for mye kanel i. Ellers vann eller brus. Det hadde vært greit om man kunne få kose seg med ett glass vi eller øl på vei ut fra land, men d var bare til maten å d var kun hvitvin. Det skulle værte mer opplyst om at dette var mer…”

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15.Private Boat Tour Nice, Villefranche, St Jean Cap Ferrat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Captain George takes your private group of up to five from Nice along the Riviera coast to Villefranche, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and back. Expect local history, grand sea views, optional swimming, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and wine aboard a small boat.

“This was the highlight of our trip to Nice. George was fantastic—a warm host, very knowledgeable of the area and its history. The boat was comfortable and the trip smooth. George tailored the trip to what we wanted to do and we enjoyed a lovely swim and then an equally lovely rose wine. Perfect!”

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