Yacht or Catamaran on the French Riviera: Which Should You Choose?

Once you decide to spend a day at sea on the French Riviera, the first real choice is the boat itself. Most listings fall into two families: yachts and motorboats with a single hull, and catamarans with two. Both can take you to the Lérins Islands, Cap-Ferrat or the bays of Antibes, but they create very different days on the water. This guide compares them on the points that actually matter — space, speed, comfort, swimming and price — so you can pick the one that fits your group and your plans.

A yacht or motorboat has one main hull. It is usually designed to move efficiently between places, and on the Riviera most day-charter yachts are motor boats rather than sailing yachts. A catamaran has two hulls connected by a wide deck. Many catamarans you will see in Cannes or Nice are sailing catamarans that also have engines, so they can motor when there is no wind.

The biggest practical difference is space. At the same length, a catamaran offers far more deck area, a large shaded cockpit and often trampoline nets at the bow where you can lie above the water. A motorboat of the same size feels more compact but moves faster and handles a tight schedule more easily.

Choose a motor yacht or day boat if you want to see several places in one outing. You could leave Cannes in the morning, swim between the Lérins Islands, continue past Juan-les-Pins to Cap d'Antibes and be back for dinner. From Nice, a motorboat can reach Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap-Ferrat and even Monaco comfortably in a half day.

Motorboats are also the practical choice for shorter trips. On a three- or four-hour rental, speed means more time swimming and less time getting there. For a couple or a small group, a private motorboat feels intimate and personal, and the range of sizes is much wider: from a licence-free boat for two up to a large crewed motor yacht with a cabin and a flybridge.

A catamaran comes into its own with a group. The wide deck gives everyone a place to sit, sunbathe and eat without feeling crowded, and there is usually a proper table for lunch in the shade. It works best for a relaxed full day where the boat itself is the destination: a few hours at anchor in a quiet bay, a long lunch, a swim, then a slow cruise back in the late afternoon light.

That is why catamarans are so popular for birthdays, hen and stag parties, family reunions and trips with friends. Their shallow draft also allows them to anchor quite close to the shore, which is convenient for swimmers and for anyone who likes to paddle to a beach.

With two hulls, a catamaran rolls much less than a single-hull boat, especially at anchor. A glass can sit on the table, children can move around more safely, and people prone to seasickness often feel better. It also does not heel like a sailing monohull, so the deck stays almost level under sail.

That said, wind and waves affect every boat. On a choppy afternoon, a catamaran can still pitch, and a fast motorboat may actually feel smoother at speed than at rest. If seasickness worries you, choose a calm morning, stay in the middle of the boat and keep your eyes on the horizon.

Both work well, but in different ways. A motorboat is ideal if you want to try several swimming spots in one trip — a cove on Cap-Ferrat in the morning, the channel between the Lérins Islands after lunch. A catamaran is ideal if you prefer to stay anchored for several hours, swimming, snorkelling and drying off in the sun between dips.

Check how you get back on board. Most boats have a swim platform with a ladder; catamarans usually have steps at the back of each hull, which many swimmers find easier. Snorkelling masks and paddleboards are sometimes included and sometimes extra.

For two people, a smaller yacht or private motorboat is usually enough, and it keeps the cost reasonable. A catamaran for two can feel too big and is rarely the best value. For a romantic evening, a private sunset cruise from Nice towards Villefranche or Cap-Ferrat, or from Cannes towards the islands, is a classic choice.

Families with young children often appreciate the space and stability of a catamaran. It is easier to eat, nap in the shade and move around during a full day, and the nets at the bow are a favourite with kids. For a shorter outing, or if the children get bored quickly, a motorboat with frequent swimming stops may be more practical. Whatever you choose, ask whether life jackets in children's sizes are available on board.

Looking at the boats currently listed on Riviera To Do, a typical motorboat in Cannes costs around €450 a day, while catamarans start at around €675 and most cost about €2,000. In Nice, catamarans range from roughly €1,100 to €2,500 a day. Large motor yachts are in another league, typically €2,700–3,500 a day in Cannes and Antibes.

The headline price is only part of the story. A catamaran carrying ten people can cost less per person than a small motorboat carrying four. Fuel matters too: catamarans motor slowly and often sail, while a fast motorboat running all day can add a significant fuel bill. Always compare the final price, including skipper, fuel and any extras.

In France, any motorboat with more than 6 hp requires a boating licence. Most catamarans and larger motor yachts are rented with a skipper anyway, and that is often the best way to enjoy the day: the skipper knows where to anchor, which bays are sheltered from the wind, and where anchoring is restricted to protect the seagrass. If you plan to skipper yourself, check the owner's experience requirements before booking.

Whichever boat you lean towards, a few questions to the owner will avoid surprises on the day:

Clear answers to these questions tell you a lot about the owner, not just about the boat.

There is no universally better boat. The right choice depends on how many of you there are, how far you want to go and what kind of day you are imagining. Decide that first, and the comparison becomes easy.