Saint-Tropez Yacht Charter 2026: The Complete Guide to Anchoring, Beach Clubs and Routes

Saint-Tropez remains the single most requested charter destination in the Mediterranean. Every summer, the harbour fills with superyachts, the beach clubs open their doors to a clientele that expects nothing less than perfection, and the coastline between Pampelonne and Cap Camarat delivers some of the finest anchorages in the Western Mediterranean. This guide covers everything you need to know about chartering a yacht in Saint-Tropez for the 2026 season: when to go, where to anchor, what to expect on pricing, and how to make the most of your time on the water.

Why Saint-Tropez dominates the charter market

Saint-Tropez has held its position as the premier yacht charter destination for over five decades. The combination of a compact, walkable old town, world-class beach clubs within tender distance, reliable summer weather, and a concentration of wealth and glamour that no other port in the Mediterranean can match makes it the default choice for clients chartering for the first time and the destination that repeat clients return to year after year.

The appeal is not just the town itself. The coastline surrounding Saint-Tropez offers extraordinary variety within a short cruising distance. Pampelonne Beach (home to Club 55, Nikki Beach, and Bagatelle) is a 10-minute tender ride from the main anchorage. The Iles de Porquerolles, a national park with crystal-clear water and no development, is a 90-minute cruise south. Cannes is 2 hours east. Monaco is 3 hours. In a single week based around Saint-Tropez, you can experience beach club culture, remote island anchorages, Michelin-starred dining in port, and the glamour of the Riviera without ever feeling rushed.

When to charter in Saint-Tropez

The Saint-Tropez season runs from May to October, but the character of the town changes dramatically depending on when you visit.

May and early June offer warm weather (22 to 26 degrees), uncrowded anchorages, and low-season charter rates. The beach clubs are open but not yet at full capacity. Restaurants have availability without advance booking. The water is still cool for swimming (19 to 21 degrees) but comfortable for most guests. This is the ideal window for clients who want the Saint-Tropez experience without the peak-season intensity.

Late June through August is peak season. Air temperatures reach 28 to 34 degrees, the water warms to 23 to 26 degrees, and the town operates at maximum capacity. The harbour is full, the anchorages are busy, and the beach clubs require reservations days in advance. Charter rates are at their highest. The atmosphere is electric, social, and unapologetically glamorous. If you want to see and be seen, this is when to come.

September is the month that experienced Saint-Tropez guests prefer. The summer crowds depart after the French rentrée (return to school and work in early September), but the weather remains excellent: 25 to 30 degrees air temperature, 25 to 27 degrees water temperature, and golden afternoon light that makes every photograph look like a magazine cover. Charter rates drop 20 to 30 percent below August pricing. Read our September charter guide for more on why this month is exceptional value.

Where to anchor

The primary anchorage for yachts visiting Saint-Tropez is the Baie de Pampelonne, directly off the famous beach. This is where the majority of charter yachts anchor during the day, with tenders running guests to the beach clubs and back. The holding is good (sand) and the bay is sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds. In peak season, expect 30 to 50 yachts at anchor here simultaneously.

For overnight anchorage, many captains prefer the Baie des Canebiers (north side of the Saint-Tropez peninsula) or the Baie de Briande (south side, near Cap Lardier). Both offer better shelter from the overnight swell and are quieter than Pampelonne. The trade-off is a slightly longer tender ride to town (15 to 20 minutes versus 5 minutes from the main harbour anchorage).

The old port of Saint-Tropez itself has limited berths for yachts above 30 metres. Securing a berth in the harbour requires advance booking (often months ahead for peak weeks) and costs EUR 2,000 to EUR 8,000 per night depending on yacht size. The advantage of being in port is the ability to step directly from your yacht into the town, with restaurants, shops, and the famous Quai Jean Jaures promenade at your doorstep.

Alternative anchorages within easy reach of Saint-Tropez include: Iles de Porquerolles (90 minutes south, national park, stunning snorkelling), Cavalaire-sur-Mer (45 minutes west, quiet bay, good holding), and Port Grimaud (20 minutes north, the Venice of Provence, excellent for a dinner ashore).

Beach clubs and restaurants

The beach club culture of Saint-Tropez is unique in the Mediterranean. These are not casual beach bars. They are full-service restaurants with sun loungers, DJ sets, bottle service, and a clientele that treats lunch as a 4-hour event. The most notable for yacht charter guests are:

Club 55 is the original and remains the most understated. No DJ, no bottle-popping theatrics. Just excellent Provencal food, cold rose, and a crowd that includes old-money families who have been coming for 40 years. Reservations are essential and difficult to secure in August. Your yacht crew or broker can often arrange access that would not be available to walk-ins.

Nikki Beach is the international party brand. Louder, more theatrical, and popular with a younger charter crowd. Champagne showers, DJ sets from midday, and a see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Reservations are easier to secure than Club 55 but still recommended 48 hours ahead in peak season.

Bagatelle combines excellent food with a party atmosphere that builds through the afternoon. The lunch service transitions into a standing-on-tables celebration by 4pm. Popular with groups celebrating birthdays or special occasions.

For dinner in town, La Vague d'Or (two Michelin stars, inside the Residence de la Pinede hotel) is the finest dining in Saint-Tropez. Senequier on the port is the classic people-watching spot. L'Opera is the late-night option with live music and a club atmosphere after midnight.

Charter rates for Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez commands premium pricing within the Mediterranean charter market. A yacht based in Saint-Tropez during July and August will typically charge 10 to 20 percent more than the same yacht would charge for a Croatia or Greece itinerary during the same dates. This reflects the higher demand, higher port fees, and the prestige associated with the destination.

For a one-week charter based around Saint-Tropez in peak season (July/August), expect the following ranges: 25 to 35 metre yacht (8 to 10 guests): EUR 60,000 to EUR 150,000 per week. 40 to 55 metre yacht (10 to 12 guests): EUR 180,000 to EUR 400,000 per week. 55 metres and above: EUR 400,000 to EUR 1,000,000+ per week.

APA (running expenses) is typically higher for Saint-Tropez itineraries than other Mediterranean destinations due to elevated port fees, premium provisioning costs, and the tendency for guests to visit expensive beach clubs and restaurants (charged to APA when dining ashore). Budget 35 to 40 percent of the charter fee for APA rather than the standard 30 percent.

For a detailed breakdown of all charter costs, read our complete 2026 pricing guide.

Itinerary suggestions

A classic one-week Saint-Tropez itinerary might look like this:

Day 1: Board in Nice or Antibes. Cruise west along the coast to Saint-Tropez (2 to 3 hours). Anchor in the Baie de Pampelonne for a sunset swim. Dinner onboard.

Day 2: Morning at Pampelonne Beach. Tender to Club 55 or Nikki Beach for lunch. Afternoon water sports from the yacht. Evening in the old port for dinner at Senequier or a walk through the town.

Day 3: Cruise south to the Iles de Porquerolles (90 minutes). Anchor in the Plage de Notre Dame bay. Snorkelling, paddleboarding, and a picnic lunch on the beach. This is national park territory with no development and some of the clearest water in France.

Day 4: Return to Saint-Tropez. Morning at anchor. Afternoon exploring the town: the Citadelle for views, the Place des Lices market (Tuesday and Saturday mornings), and the narrow streets of the old quarter. Dinner at La Vague d'Or.

Day 5: Cruise east to Cannes (2 hours). Anchor off the Iles de Lerins (Sainte-Marguerite island) for swimming and lunch. Afternoon in Cannes for shopping on La Croisette or drinks at the Hotel Martinez beach. Return to Saint-Tropez or anchor overnight at Sainte-Maxime.

Day 6: Flexible day. Options include: a full day at Pampelonne with beach club lunch, a cruise to Port Grimaud for a canal-side dinner, or a water sports day at anchor with jet skiing, wakeboarding, and SeaBob diving.

Day 7: Final morning swim. Cruise back to Nice or Antibes for disembarkation.

What to know before you go

The Mistral wind can affect Saint-Tropez with little warning. This strong northwest wind (20 to 40 knots) typically blows for 2 to 3 days when it arrives. An experienced captain will monitor forecasts and may suggest repositioning to a more sheltered anchorage (Cavalaire or Porquerolles) if the Mistral is forecast. This is not a failure of planning. It is good seamanship and ensures guest comfort.

Tender logistics matter in Saint-Tropez more than most destinations. The distance from anchorage to beach clubs, restaurants, and the port means you will use the tender frequently. A yacht with a large, comfortable tender (5 to 7 metres with a rigid hull) makes a significant difference to the experience compared to a small inflatable. Ask your broker about tender specifications when shortlisting yachts.

Provisioning in Saint-Tropez is excellent but expensive. The local markets (Place des Lices on Tuesday and Saturday) offer outstanding produce, but prices are 30 to 50 percent above other Mediterranean ports. Your chef will source the best local ingredients regardless, and the quality of onboard dining in Saint-Tropez is typically exceptional as a result.

Summer 2026: exclusive availability

MY OCEAN has secured exclusive summer availability on 8 superyachts for July and August 2026, ranging from 44 to 54 metres. Several of these yachts are positioned for French Riviera itineraries including Saint-Tropez. MARAYA (54.2m, 12 guests, potential 20 percent discount), AWANDRA (52m Baglietto 2025, potential 20 percent discount), and BLUE MOON (45m, potential 10 percent discount) are all available for Saint-Tropez based charters this summer with preferential rates for confirmed bookings.

These are not distressed vessels or last-minute cancellations. They are premium superyachts with full professional crew that happen to have open weeks during peak season. The rates will not last once the dates fill. View the full summer deals fleet or Contact our charter team to get a personalised charter quote.

Book your Saint-Tropez charter

Whether you want a week of beach club lunches and harbour-side dinners, a quieter itinerary exploring the islands and hidden bays of the Var coastline, or a combination of both, Saint-Tropez delivers. Contact Emily Cossey at MY OCEAN with your dates, guest count, and preferences. She will recommend the right yacht for your group to get a personalised charter quote.

Browse the charter fleet or Contact our charter team.