Riva 88' Folgore88' 4" (26.92 m)
View Specs & ReviewThe Golfe that invented the scene — quay berths, eco-buoys off Pampelonne
Yachting in Saint-Tropez
A Minted Location · Saint-Tropez, France
If the plan is a stern-to berth on the most photographed quay in the Mediterranean and lunch a tender ride away at Pampelonne, the Golfe de Saint-Tropez is where the plan runs on published rules. The town port is a municipal régie — 729 moorings across two basins on nine hectares — taking yachts to 82 ft (25 m) in the new port, 164 ft (50 m) in the old port and 295 ft (90 m) on the Môle Estienne d'Orves, all on VHF 09. Around the cape, 210 ecological mooring buoys have replaced the anchor over Pampelonne's Posidonia.
Minted Yachts is the American buyer's broker in these waters, and everything below comes from the port régies, the préfecture maritime or each venue's own published pages — the same standard behind every yacht review on this site.
For an owner, the gulf is one amphitheater with four berths: the town quay in the middle of the show, Port Grimaud's canal city, the 1,400-berth Marines de Cogolin with the gulf's service yards on its zone technique, and Sainte-Maxime's 800-ring public port across the water. Pick your side of the gulf, and the boat follows.
Where to keep a yacht in Saint-Tropez
The gulf's dockage sorts into four stops, all run by régies or public operators that publish their rules. Port de Saint-Tropez is the marquee: two basins, 729 moorings, 13 ft (4 m) maximum draft, and yachts to 295 ft (90 m) on the Môle Estienne d'Orves — but in July and August vessels over 59 ft (18 m) are limited to two two-day stays per month, so plan the calendar as carefully as the approach. Port Grimaud, the canal city at the head of the gulf, admits yachts to 148 ft (45 m), requires prior authorization from the capitainerie for anything of 66 ft (20 m) and over, and holds the whole port water plane to 3 knots. Next door, Les Marines de Cogolin is the gulf's big harbor — 1,400 vessels from 20 to 164 ft (6 to 50 m) in three basins on 15 ft (4.5 m) of water, with the gulf's two major service yards on its zone technique. And Sainte-Maxime's public port puts more than 800 berths and a 24/7 fuel dock on the north shore. Figures below are what each port publishes about itself.
Marinas
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Slips | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port de Saint-TropezThe marquee berth of the gulf, run in régie municipale by the commune — 729 moorings across two basins on nine hectares, 13 ft (4 m) maximum draft, VHF 09, capitainerie at 1 Quai de l'Épi (+33 4 94 56 68 70, open 24/24 in summer). Ports Propres and Ports Propres Actifs en Biodiversité certified; free wastewater and bilge pump-out by appointment, 240V/400V pedestals to 250A and an electric-boat charging berth. | Saint-Tropez — vieux port, town center | 295 ft | 729 | Fuel dock on the green lighthouse pier (own row below) |
| Port GrimaudThe canal city, exploited en régie directe by the Commune de Grimaud since 1 January 2022, unifying the former Port Grimaud 1, 2 and 3 concessions. Maximum authorized length 148 ft (45 m); 3 knots on the whole port water plane. Capitainerie: VHF 09, +33 4 94 56 29 88, capitainerie@portdegrimaud.fr. Total berth count not stated on official sources — a capitainerie-directed entry, not a browse-the-fairway marina. | Grimaud — the canal city (cité lacustre) at the head of the gulf | 148 ft | — | — |
| Les Marines de CogolinThe largest berth count in the gulf: 1,400 vessels from 20 to 164 ft (6 to 50 m) across three basins, 5 km (3.1 mi) of quays and pontoons, 15 ft (4.5 m) of depth and a 361 ft (110 m) turning circle. Its zone technique hosts the gulf's two major service yards, listed separately. | Cogolin — head of the gulf | 164 ft | 1,400 | Fuel available on site |
| Port de Sainte-MaximeThe public port across the gulf, operated by SPL Sud Plaisance: more than 800 berths, water, 230V power, showers and laundry, with L'Amiral's terraces and rooftop and the ONA tea salon on the port itself. Technical area lifts boats to 43 ft (13 m) and 10 tons — a fuel-and-lunch stop, not a yard call. Port renovation brings new commercial spaces summer 2026. (The separate Port Privé de Sainte-Maxime publishes no berthing figures on its site.) | Sainte-Maxime — north shore of the gulf | — | 800 | 24/7 fuel dock |
Yacht clubs
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Slips | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Société Nautique de Saint-TropezFounded 1862 — organizer of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez and co-organizer of the Loro Piana Giraglia, plus the Bravades Regatta, L'Aoutienne and interclub events; a Challenger for the 38th America's Cup (Naples 2027). Contact +33 4 94 97 30 54. | Saint-Tropez | — | — | — |
Fuel docks
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Slips | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station d'avitaillement du Port de Saint-TropezThe town port's fuel pier, stated in the port's own words: SP98, regular diesel and tax-free diesel, with card payment available 24 hours a day. Seasonal attendance — +33 7 85 21 48 71. | Green lighthouse pier (jetée du phare vert), Port de Saint-Tropez | — | — | SP98 petrol, regular diesel and tax-free diesel — card payment 24/7 |
| Sainte-Maxime fuel dockThe around-the-clock pump of the gulf, inside the SPL Sud Plaisance public port on the north shore. | Port de Sainte-Maxime | — | — | Fuel available 24/7 |
Figures are as each facility publishes them on its own site; blank cells mean the facility doesn't state a number. Confirm slip availability and current rates directly — or ask us to make the calls.
Cruising from Saint-Tropez
The gulf. The Golfe de Saint-Tropez is a single cruising amphitheater: Sainte-Maxime on the north shore, Port Grimaud and Les Marines de Cogolin at its head, the town port at the southern entrance, the Anse des Canoubiers just inside the cape, and Pampelonne around the corner on Ramatuelle's shore between cap Pinet and the pointe de la Bonne Terrasse. The communauté de communes counts more than 7,000 mooring posts across the gulf's five ports.
The rules of the bottom. Anchoring here is regulated to protect the Posidonia oceanica seagrass, and the orders are public. In the gulf, préfecture orders 247/2020 and 248/2020 (15 December 2020) keep vessels of 79 ft (24 m) and over beyond a charted limit, with derogation zones for yachts under 148 ft (45 m) — and non-compliance with the mooring restrictions carries up to one year of imprisonment and a €150,000 fine. At Pampelonne, arrêté préfectoral n°63/2025 (9 April 2025) fixes one mandatory anchoring zone for vessels of 262 ft (80 m) and over and two zones — "Centre" and "Ouest" — reserved for 148 ft up to under 262 ft (45 to under 80 m), with the coordinates published; the préfet maritime has regulated anchoring and stopping of 79 ft (24 m)-plus vessels in the bay since 27 June 2023.
Pampelonne by buoy. The ZMEL — the organized mooring zone run for the commune de Ramatuelle — lays 210 ecological mooring buoys inside the Natura 2000 "Corniche Varoise" site, serving vessels up to 262 ft (80 m) and operational from 2025, booked online through the operator. The bay sees close to 300 boats a day in summer, about a third of them yachts over 79 ft (24 m). Book the buoy before you book the table.
The Canoubiers. The classic day-anchorage of the gulf, just west of the cape over Posidonia-rich bottoms — anchor per the 2020 orders' charted limits. The préfecture maritime installed a Marine nationale mooring buoy here in October 2021 precisely so state vessels stop anchoring on the seagrass; the port's 2025 zones document is the current reference for everyone else.
The season. The port's own tariff calendar defines the rhythm: peak season 10 July–20 August, high season 30 April–10 July and 20 August–4 October, low season 1 November–1 April. The fuel dock runs 8:00–20:00 in June, July and August and two mornings a week in deep winter — the gulf works year-round, but on winter hours.
- Pampelonne ZMEL (organized mooring zone) — Baie de Pampelonne, Ramatuelle — cap Pinet to pointe de la Bonne TerrasseHow a yacht holds Pampelonne for the beach-club lunch: 210 buoys inside the Natura 2000 'Corniche Varoise' site, engineered not to degrade the seabed, operational from 2025. Authorized by arrêtés n°350/2021 (préfecture maritime) and n°114/2021 (préfecture du Var) for the commune de Ramatuelle; the préfet maritime has regulated anchoring and stopping of 79 ft (24 m)-plus vessels in the bay since 27 June 2023. Close to 300 boats a day in summer, about a third of them yachts over 79 ft (24 m).
- Anse des Canoubiers (baie des Canebiers) — South shore of the gulf, just west of Cap Saint-TropezThe classic day-anchorage of the gulf, over Posidonia-rich bottoms. Non-compliance with the mooring restrictions carries up to one year of imprisonment and a €150,000 fine; the préfecture maritime installed a Marine nationale mooring buoy here in October 2021 precisely so state vessels stop anchoring on the seagrass. The port's 2025 zones document is the current reference.
Service, refit & supplies
Shipyards & refit
| Name | Where | Max yacht | Dockage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Harbor Golfe de Saint-TropezDescribed on its own page as the largest shipyard in the Var region: hoists and lifts to 150 tons, a crane to 100 tons, and the full trades — electrical, electronics, engine and propulsion, paintwork, inspections, winterization and commissioning. | Zone technique No 2, Les Marines de Cogolin | 115 ft | Wet slips and winter storage for vessels 33 to 115 ft (10 to 35 m) |
| Monaco Marine Saint-TropezA 28,000 m² yard facing the Cogolin marina: 150-ton and 60-ton travelifts, a 100-ton motorised trailer crane, a 197 ft (60 m) climate-controlled paint facility, 6,000 m² of covered sheds, 200 m of dockside and 30 employees — with a noted specialization in classic and race sailing yachts and catamarans. | Zone technique No 2, Les Marines de Cogolin | 115 ft | Refit, repair and winter storage to 115 ft (35 m) |
On the Saint-Tropez calendar
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez — September 26 to October 4, 2026: more than 250 boats and 4,000 crew, classics and moderns racing together off the town, organized by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez (founded 1862). It is the successor to the Nioulargue, born 1981 and renamed Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in 1999.
Loro Piana Giraglia — June 12–20, 2026, organized by the Yacht Club Italiano with the Société Nautique: inshore racing in the gulf June 13–16, then the offshore start on June 17 for the 241-mile course from Saint-Tropez around the Giraglia rock to Genoa.
The Société Nautique calendar — the club also runs the Bravades Regatta, L'Aoutienne and interclub events, and is a Challenger for the 38th America's Cup (Naples 2027).
Yachts we'd shortlist for Saint-Tropez
Reviewed the same way as everything on this site — specifications verified against the builder's own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I fuel a yacht in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez?
Two published pumps. The Port de Saint-Tropez's fuel pier on the green lighthouse jetty carries SP98 petrol, regular diesel and tax-free diesel — the port's own wording — with card payment available 24/7 and attended hours of 8:00–20:00 in June–August (two mornings a week in deep winter; +33 7 85 21 48 71). Across the gulf, Sainte-Maxime's public port runs its fuel dock 24/7, per the town's official tourism office. Les Marines de Cogolin also lists fuel on site.
When is Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez in 2026?
September 26 to October 4, 2026, per the event's own site — more than 250 boats and 4,000 crew, classics and moderns, organized by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez (founded 1862). It is the successor to the Nioulargue of 1981, renamed Les Voiles in 1999. Earlier in the season, the Loro Piana Giraglia runs June 12–20, 2026: inshore racing in the gulf June 13–16, then the 241-mile offshore course from Saint-Tropez around the Giraglia rock to Genoa, starting June 17. Berths tighten hard around both — plan months out.
Where do yachts get hauled and serviced near Saint-Tropez?
The zone technique at Les Marines de Cogolin, at the head of the gulf. Safe Harbor Golfe de Saint-Tropez — by its own description the largest shipyard in the Var region — runs hoists and lifts to 150 tons and a crane to 100 tons, with wet slips and winter storage for vessels of 33 to 115 ft (10 to 35 m). Beside it, Monaco Marine Saint-Tropez works a 28,000 m² yard with 150-ton and 60-ton travelifts, a 197 ft (60 m) climate-controlled paint facility and a specialization in classic and race sailing yachts. Sainte-Maxime's technical area stops at 43 ft (13 m) and 10 tons.
Is Saint-Tropez a good base for an American yacht owner?
If the Mediterranean season is the mission, few bases beat it: one gulf with more than 7,000 mooring posts across five ports, a régie-run town quay, a 1,400-berth harbor at Cogolin with 150-ton yard lifts beside it, and Pampelonne's buoy field around the cape. The trade-offs are real — the two-stay July–August rule on the quay, buoys instead of anchors, and a season that books out. Minted Yachts is the American buyer's broker in these waters: send a Broker Request from this page, or TS@MintedYachts.com / +1 (404) 805-9819.
What are the anchoring rules at Pampelonne?
Buoys, not anchors. The ZMEL lays 210 ecological mooring buoys in the bay — serving vessels up to 262 ft (80 m), booked online — inside the Natura 2000 'Corniche Varoise' site. Arrêté préfectoral n°63/2025 fixes a mandatory anchoring zone for vessels of 262 ft (80 m) and over and two zones ('Centre' and 'Ouest') for 148 to under 262 ft (45–80 m), and the préfet maritime has regulated anchoring and stopping of 79 ft (24 m)-plus vessels between cap Pinet and the pointe de la Bonne Terrasse since 27 June 2023. Non-compliance with the gulf's mooring restrictions carries up to one year of imprisonment and a €150,000 fine.
Which Saint-Tropez restaurants can I reach by boat?
The two verified tender welcomes are on Pampelonne: Club 55's own site lists a pontoon and boatmen on VHF Channel 17, and Loulou Ramatuelle lists its batelier on Canal 13, April through October. Hold the bay on a ZMEL buoy — 210 of them, booked online — and call the channel. On the town quay the answer is a berth plus your feet: Sénéquier's red terrace (since 1887) and Le Girelier on the Quai Jean Jaurès face the vieux port's 729 moorings. At Sainte-Maxime, L'Amiral and ONA sit on the port itself.
Where can I berth a 90-foot yacht in Saint-Tropez?
On the Môle Estienne d'Orves — the breakwater of the Port de Saint-Tropez, which the port's own FAQ rates for yachts up to 295 ft (90 m). The old port takes yachts to 164 ft (50 m) and the new port to 82 ft (25 m), all with a maximum draft of 13 ft (4 m), on VHF 09 with the capitainerie at 1 Quai de l'Épi (+33 4 94 56 68 70). Elsewhere in the gulf, Port Grimaud admits yachts to 148 ft (45 m) with prior authorization for 66 ft (20 m) and over, and Les Marines de Cogolin berths vessels to 164 ft (50 m).
What is the July–August rule at the Port de Saint-Tropez?
In July and August, visiting vessels over 59 ft (18 m) are limited to two two-day stays per month at the town port — the port's own FAQ states it. The wider calendar, from the port's tariff schedule: peak season 10 July–20 August, high season 30 April–10 July and 20 August–4 October, low season 1 November–1 April. The capitainerie runs 24/24 in summer on VHF 09, and the smart play is to treat the quay as the event berth and the rest of the gulf — Cogolin, Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime — as the season's base.