Cannes bay, the Lérins Islands, Golfe-Juan, La Garoupe and Juan-les-Pins: where to anchor and which zone applies to your yacht.
Between Cannes and Cap d’Antibes lie some of the best-known anchorages on the Riviera: the Lérins Islands a mile off the Croisette, the wide roadstead of Golfe-Juan, and the bays either side of Cap d’Antibes.
Since 2020 yachts of 24 m and over have been banned from anchoring in the protected coastal band between Théoule and the Var, and the largest yachts must use mandatory anchoring zones off Cannes and Golfe-Juan. Small boats now use buoy fields in the Lérins and at Le Croûton. Our Cannes and Antibes offices handle declarations to the La Garoupe signal station, buoys, berths and tenders.
Last reviewed November 2026
A planning guide drawn from pilot sources. Swell, gusts off high ground and local effects can change the picture, so check the forecast and ask us before you commit.
| Anchorage | MistralNW | LibeccioW / SW | Levant & SiroccoE / SE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baie de la Garoupe | Good shelter | Check locally | Exposed |
| Juan-les-Pins and the west of Cap d'Antibes | Good shelter | Check locally | Exposed |
Mandatory zones Cannes Ouest and Cannes Est (Le Portet)
The designated anchorage for large yachts visiting Cannes, with tender access to the Vieux-Port and Port Pierre Canto.
A no-anchoring zone runs south of Port Pierre Canto to Pointe de la Croisette (AP 251/2026).
Cannes Ouest and Cannes Est are mandatory anchoring zones for yachts of 45 m and over (AP 157/2024). Yachts of 45 to 80 m declare, 80 m and over need authorisation. Yachts of 24 to 45 m anchor outside the protected coastal band (AP 205/2020).
Between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat
The shallow passage between the two islands, with clear water, the Saint-Honorat monastery on one side and the Fort Royal on the other. The best-known day anchorage off Cannes.
A no-anchoring zone lies south of Saint-Honorat, off the abbey (AP 251/2026). Jet-ski use between the islands is regulated.
The passage is shallow and lies within the protected band of AP 205/2020 for yachts of 24 m and over. Ask us to check the limit line for your draft and length.
Anse Sainte-Anne buoy field, north coast of Sainte-Marguerite
A sheltered buoy field facing Cannes, a short tender ride from the Croisette.
A 43 hectare no-anchoring zone surrounds a buoy field of about 30 free buoys for boats of 6 to 20 m, open from 1 May to 30 September, with a maximum of 7 consecutive nights and 21 nights per season. Anchoring is banned north of the island (AP 105/2022).
Not for yachts of 24 m and over.
Le Piton anchorage, between Cannes and Antibes
One of the best roadsteads on this coast, sheltered from the south-west by the Lérins Islands, with Port Camille Rayon and the Vieux-Port of Golfe-Juan for tenders.
Le Piton is a mandatory anchoring zone for yachts of 45 m and over, with an inner area for yachts of 24 to 80 m (AP 157/2024).
East side of Cap d'Antibes
A pretty bay under the Garoupe lighthouse, calm even in a strong Mistral.
Within 300 m of the shore, anchoring is only allowed in a marked zone reserved for vessels under 24 m (AP 211/2024).
Yachts of 24 m and over may not anchor within 300 m of the Antibes coast (AP 211/2024, under AP 205/2020).
From Port Gallice to the Anse de l'Argent Faux
The west side of the cape gives shelter from the Mistral, with Juan-les-Pins beaches and the Eden-Roc a tender ride away.
There are motor-free zones in the Anse de l'Argent Faux and from Tour Graillon to Pointe de l'Îlette, and bathing channels along the coast (AP 211/2024).
Yachts of 24 m and over may not anchor within 300 m of the Antibes coast.
Anchorage Intelligence, our map of the French anchoring decrees, shows whether a rule applies to your length overall and links straight to the official text. Access is by waitlist.
Yachts of 24 m and over, Théoule to the Var (AP 205/2020, consolidated with the 2022 and 2023 amendments). Anchoring is banned in the protected coastal band, roughly down to the depth of the Posidonia meadows, and allowed outside it. Dynamic positioning is banned within 500 m of the shore and limited to two hours elsewhere.
Yachts of 45 m and over (AP 157/2024, amended in 2025 and 2026). Between Cannes and Antibes they may only anchor in three mandatory zones: Cannes Ouest, Cannes Est (Le Portet) and Golfe-Juan (Le Piton). Yachts of 45 to 80 m declare to the La Garoupe signal station at least one hour before arrival, and 80 m and over need authorisation. East of the Var, the Ferrat signal station covers the coast to Italy.
Local orders. AP 251/2026 sets the 2026 rules for the Cannes coastal strip and the Lérins, including no-anchoring zones south of Saint-Honorat and off the Croisette. AP 211/2024 covers the 300 m strip at Antibes and Juan-les-Pins. AP 254/2025 bans anchoring in the Anse du Croûton.
Length of stay: 72 hours in one spot, renewable for yachts of 24 m and over with AIS (AP 77/2025).
Enforcement is real. In 2024 the captain of a 51 m yacht was fined 15,000 euros, plus more than 22,000 euros in ecological damages, for anchoring in a protected zone near Cannes.
Sainte-Marguerite (Lérins): about 30 free buoys for boats of 6 to 20 m, 1 May to 30 September, declared to Port du Mouré Rouge on VHF 9.
Le Croûton (Antibes): a free buoy field with time-limited stays, larger in summer than in winter.
For larger yachts we arrange berths in Cannes, Port Pierre Canto, Golfe-Juan or Antibes.
The Mistral reaches this part of the coast weaker than further west. The west side of Cap d’Antibes and La Garoupe give good shelter from it. Easterlies (Levant) are the main problem for La Garoupe and the east-facing bays, while the Lérins Islands shelter Golfe-Juan from the south-west.
Usually not close in. AP 205/2020 bans yachts of 24 m and over from the protected coastal band, which covers much of the shallow area around the islands. A 30 m yacht normally anchors outside the band, or off Cannes or Golfe-Juan, and visits by tender. Ask us to check the limit line for your spot.
Yachts of 45 m and over must use the mandatory zones Cannes Ouest, Cannes Est (Le Portet) or Golfe-Juan (Le Piton), after declaring to, or getting authorisation from, the La Garoupe signal station.
Boats under 24 m can anchor in the marked zone within 300 m of the shore. Yachts of 24 m and over may not anchor within 300 m of the Antibes coast.
The buoys are free and there is no online booking. Declare your arrival to Port du Mouré Rouge on VHF 9. The field takes boats of 6 to 20 m from 1 May to 30 September.
This guide is for planning only and does not replace official charts or notices. Anchoring rules in French waters change from season to season: check the arrêtés in force on premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr and the SHOM charts before anchoring, or ask our team.
Tell us your yacht, dates and where you would like to anchor. Our local team will confirm what the current rules allow for your length, suggest the best spot for the forecast and arrange buoys, tenders, provisioning or a berth if the anchorage is closed.
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