Trans Côte D'Azur

Trans Côte d'Azur runs proper boat excursions from Nice's Port to the Riviera's glamour spots, with their Monaco run being the standout. You'll cruise past the millionaire mansions of Cap Ferrat, get postcard views of Villa Ephrussi's pink facade from the water, and dock right in Monaco's harbor where superyachts cost more than small countries. The boats are comfortable catamarans that handle the Mediterranean chop well, and the commentary is actually informative rather than touristy fluff.

The journey feels like you're seeing the Côte d'Azur as it was meant to be seen, from the sea. You'll pass dramatic cliffs, secluded coves that aren't accessible by land, and get that perfect angle of Monaco rising from the harbor that every postcard tries to capture. The crew points out celebrity villas and gives you the real gossip about who owns what. Most passengers crowd the upper deck for photos, but the lower level has better seating and still excellent views through large windows.

Here's what other guides won't tell you: the afternoon departures can be rough when the wind picks up, and half the passengers end up queasy. Tickets cost around 45 EUR for Monaco, which is fair value considering you're getting transport plus sightseeing. Skip their Saint-Tropez trip though, it's overpriced at 65 EUR and the journey's too long for what you get. Book directly at their kiosk rather than through hotel concierges who add a markup.