Visiting berths in the port of St Tropez: is it possible?

We love St Tropez on the French Riviera. The glitter, the glamor, the shining stars, in the sky and on the boats! – and all the beautiful yachts it attracts year after year. We love the fashion, the atmosphere, the lifestyle, the history, the parties and of course the fun of dressing up and showing off in Pampelonne Bay at a trendy beach club or on the harbor front with delicious ice cream! But when you live on a 50 foot long sailing yacht, how easy is it to call St Tropez ‘home’ for a week in the warm, sunny summer months?

May

During May and early June, the number of spaces in the St Tropez marina is limited, but they are more available at this time of year than in the high season. This is mainly due to two major events on the Eastern Riviera that big ships flock to: the Cannes Film Festival (May 16-26, followed by the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix (May 26). Other Big contributor to the number of spaces It is the low number of French who are on vacation during this time, which is why boats up to 15 meters in length usually find a place on a daily basis.

June and July

Once the month of June and throughout the month of July, the spaces begin to be more difficult to find, but if you want to have the best chance of getting one, try these simple rules:

• Arrive outside the marina at 11am. M.
• Be ready to dock – have your lines and fenders ready
• Just radio the marina from outside the harbor wall.
• Prepare to wait
• Avoid Tuesdays and Saturdays as these are market days and no one leaves!

The marina staff are very helpful and speak excellent English. Although we always speak on the radio in French, as it is polite and correct to do so, we usually receive a response in English. They are happy to help out where possible and will tell you your chances of getting a space that day. They will also only tell you if there is a space available if you are outside the marina wall ready to go.

August

The month of August is a long test of patience! The French are on vacation and flock to the Riviera by the hundreds. The campgrounds are packed to burst, the beaches are full of tan and beautiful, and Pampelonne Bay is the preferred playground for daytime activities. It is almost impossible to get a space in the marina for boats up to 15 meters in length since spaces are not open to reservations and are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. The marina does an excellent job of guarding the port and stays are limited to 3 consecutive days with no return in a week.

Be patient and wait your turn. Check the radio before calling so as not to interrupt the superyacht’s movements. Always ask permission to enter the port, even if you have just left it, there will be a queue and it is very possible that a superyacht will leave, blocking all movement in the port.

There is also a small number of spaces available through other means. A local shipyard owns 3 spaces on a pontoon and will gladly rent one for you for one night. It’s also worth taking a look at the rear pontoon to see the spaces left by rental boats that are out overnight; Follow them on Twitter for daily updates.

September

Once September rolls around, everything calms down and you’ll be left wondering if the madness of August was just a dream. Spaces are more easily available again, calm takes hold of the marina staff and even the boats seem to be more relaxed.

What to do when there is no space?

When you hear a response saying that the port is full at night, the panic begins! However, there really is no need to worry. The port is happy to let you in for drop off and pick up as long as you radio and wait in line. Avoid rush hours between 11 a.m. M. And 12:30 p.m. M. And between 5 and 6 p.m. M. Sainte Maxime, about 4 miles north across the bay, has a few spaces on its dock and with very friendly and welcoming service it is well worth a visit. There is also a regular ferry service to St Tropez.

Port Grimaud also offers visitor berths at the head of the bay, but again has limited spaces available.

For me, the best option is to drop anchor west of St Tropez, outside the marked area, and take the boat to a small, shallow area where there is a fishing club and a couple of pontoons. The old gentlemen who are sorting lines and nets will show you where you can leave your boat.

At night it is best to move to Canebiers Bay, east of St Tropez, as this will give you the best night’s sleep at anchor. The water from the superyacht vessels going in and out of the harbor is not reaching it, no swell from the south will not touch it, the winds are usually very calm and the retention is exceptional, not to mention the spectacular fiery sunsets. I will see over the surrounding hills. A quiet morning is also an added bonus, as everyone enjoys the quiet before the mad rush to the Bay of Pampelonne begins again.