43°35'N 7°08'E · Western Mediterranean
Antibes Yacht Guide
Antibes is the industry's company town. Port Vauban is the largest marina in Europe by berth count, the IYCA quay at its head holds the 100-meter-plus fleet that gives the Quai des Milliardaires its name, and the old town behind the ramparts houses more crew agencies, training schools, and chandlers per square meter than anywhere on earth. This is where the Mediterranean superyacht season is staffed, provisioned, and repaired. It is not a guest destination in the Monaco sense; it is the depot, and every working captain passes through it. Juan-les-Pins around the cape adds the beach-resort front when the owner does show up.
Season & Arrival
The operational year peaks twice: March through May as the fleet fits out and hires for summer, and September into October as it winds down. Summer itself empties the harbor as boats work the charter circuit. Winter is the liveaboard season, with hundreds of crew aboard and the old town running at a comfortable industry hum.
The Guide
Marinas
Port Vauban runs over 1,500 berths from sportboats to the IYCA's 19 superyacht berths taking 170 meters, the deepest big-boat alongside capacity on the coast at 7-plus meters. The IYCA quay, the Billionaires Quay, operates effectively as its own facility with gated security, 400V/1000A-class power, and a waiting list that functions on relationships and history as much as money. Annual berths at Vauban trade through brokers; summer transient space for 30 to 50 meters exists but books months ahead. The port finished a major remodel with a new capitainerie and better crew facilities. Surge is minimal, protection is excellent, and the location puts you 200 meters from the old town gate. Around the cape, Port Gallice and Golfe-Juan's two ports handle the overflow and the smaller fleet at gentler rates.
Operating Data
- Port Vauban
- 1,500+ berths, largest in Europe
- IYCA quay
- 19 berths to 170 m, 7+ m depth
- Overflow ports
- Gallice, Golfe-Juan, Camille Rayon
Operating data is updated each season. Confirm critical figures with the operator before arrival.
Captain Notes
- Hiring season is March through May on the quay; if you need good crew, be visible at the agencies early, and if you need a berth that season, you needed it in January.
- The IYCA list moves on relationships; if the owner is serious about a Med base over 60 meters, start that conversation a year or more out and keep the harbormaster's office close.
- Winter alongside at Vauban is the cheapest serious refit window in the western Med; scaffold permits and hot-work rules go through the capitainerie, plan in October.
- Dockwalkers will find your passerelle in April; a polite system for CVs at the gangway keeps the mate sane and occasionally finds you a gem.
- Eastward mistral events push surge into the outer berths a few days a year; double up springs in winter as a habit.
Local Red Flags
- Summer transient berths for 40-meter-plus are functionally unavailable on short notice; do not promise an owner an Antibes drop-in during July.
- Crew-house party culture is real and so are the agencies' memories; one bad season of behavior here follows crew, and boats, for years.
- Petty theft of bikes, tenders' loose gear, and dock boxes along the public quays is chronic; lock everything, the town is safe but light-fingered.
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