BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
Antibes and the Cap d'Antibes by boat: Garoupe, Billionaires Quay and coves
Renting a boat in Antibes: rounding the cape, La Garoupe bay, the neighbouring Lérins islands — route, moorings and budget from Europe's largest marina.
Antibes is home to Port Vauban, Europe's largest marina, and its 'Billionaires Quay'. But the real treasure lies twenty minutes out: the tour of the Cap d'Antibes, one of the coast's most beautiful nautical miles.
Rounding the cape
From the ramparts, head south: La Garoupe bay and its limpid water (the smart morning anchorage), the coves under the Tirepoil path, the Eilenroc villa, then l'Olivette harbour and the Juan-les-Pins roadstead. Offshore, the silhouette of the Lérins islands — three miles away, they round out the day naturally.
Moorings and rules
La Garoupe anchors on sand in 3-6 metres — arrive before 11 am in summer, the bay is small. A 5-knot, 300-metre band rings the cape, and mind the mega-yacht traffic out of Port Vauban: their field of view is limited, yours is not.
Which boat
Short, sheltered waters in an easterly: a license-free boat covers La Garoupe and Juan-les-Pins (€110-220), a RIB (€250-450) adds Lérins and the Estérel. The fleets of Antibes, Golfe-Juan and Juan-les-Pins compare in one search — Golfe-Juan is often the best value.
The insider tip
In a mistral, the cape protects: La Garoupe stays flat while Cannes whips up. In an easterly, reverse the plan — head for the Estérel. Local operators brief well; listen.