Water taxi in Menton

Two options. The Vieux-Port, under the old town, where we come alongside the reception quay near the harbour office on Quai Napoléon III — walking distance from Rue Saint-Michel, the Halles and the Sablettes. Or Port de Garavan, the larger marina on the eastern side, which suits guests staying in the Garavan villas or heading straight for Italy. Your skipper confirms the exact pontoon and a meeting point the evening before.

For door-to-door time, usually yes. It is barely a dozen kilometres by road, but everything funnels onto the Basse Corniche and the motorway exit, and you still have to park in Monaco. By sea it is around a quarter of an hour of actual navigation, quay to quay, with no parking at the far end. On a Grand Prix weekend or a Fête du Citron corso day the gap becomes very large indeed.

For an ordinary day, the evening before is usually enough, and same-day requests often work outside July and August. Two periods are the exception: the Fête du Citron in February, when the seafront is closed on corso days and the boat becomes the simplest way in and out of town, and the Monaco Grand Prix weekend in late May, when every Menton–Monaco slot is taken. For those, book several days ahead — a week is safer for evening departures.

Luggage is included: airport suitcases, golf bags and beach gear travel with you, just tell us roughly how many pieces so the skipper plans the loading. Children are welcome on every transfer and lifejackets in children's sizes are on board — mention their ages when booking. Boarding at the Vieux-Port reception quay and at the Garavan pontoons is done from a fixed dock, which makes it manageable with a pushchair or reduced mobility; tell us in advance and we choose the calmer of the two harbours.

Prices are shown from a starting rate for a private boat, not per seat: the whole cabin is yours, with the skipper, fuel and luggage included. The final quote depends on the route, the time of day and the season — an early-morning Menton–Monaco run is not priced like a Saturday evening in August. We confirm a fixed price before you book, with no per-person surcharge.

Menton is well sheltered from the westerly mistral behind Cap Martin, but the bay opens to the south and south-east: an easterly wind builds a swell here, and that is the condition that matters. A south-easterly swell makes the Vieux-Port entrance uncomfortable, and we then work from Garavan or reschedule. If the sea is not right, your skipper tells you the evening before or the morning of and we move the transfer or refund it — we do not sail a crossing that would be unpleasant.

Yes. Ventimiglia is a short run east of Garavan and is the most requested crossing from Menton, particularly for the Friday market. It is an international leg, so bring valid ID or passports for everyone on board and let us know the full passenger list when booking.