At the beginning of the 20th century, it served as a port for ships and as an airport for seaplanes, but the harbour that we see today started to be developed at the beginning of 1970. Sheltered behind the walls of the 16th century city ramparts, it hosts a large variety of motorboats, yachts, and mega-yachts.
How to get there
If you decide to reach the marina by plane, the closest airports are Nice Cote d’Azur Airport or Cannes Mandelieu Airport, both situated at around 30 minutes' drive from the marina. For the customers occupying the berths on the IYCA, there is also a helipad, if you arrive by helicopter.
If you arrive by car, follow the ‘Antibes’ road signs and then ‘Antibes Port’.
Port Vauban, Antibes
capetanos.comFeatures and amenities
If you decide to arrive at Port Vauban by sea, a good orientation point to reach the marina is the Fort Carre, visible from 15 nautical miles, so it’s hard to miss it. The port is located at 43°35’4 N-007°08’E and once you get close to it, you can contact the port on Channel 9 to announce your arrival or if you need further assistance.
The port has 1642 berths, accommodating yachts from 4 meters up to 170 meters, and of course, depending on your yacht, depths from 2-5 meters to 7-8 meters for mega-yachts.
For safety reasons, the speed inside the basins and the access passage is limited to 3 knots, and also if your sailing yacht is equipped with a motor, you must use it inside the harbour.
In terms of amenities, in Port Vauban you can have access to:
- Electricity
- Water
- Showers
- Toilets
- Laundry services
- Free Wi-Fi
- Parking
Next to the Harbour Master’s Office you can find the fuel station. During summer months it is open from 8:00 to 20:00 and it is selling both diesel and petrol.
Port Vauban and Fort Carre, Antibes
capetanos.comWeather in Marina Grande
On the Côte d’Azur, the Mediterranean climate will welcome you with beautiful weather from May to October. Summers are dry and temperatures can reach highs of about 35 °C in July and August, but fortunately, the temperatures are generally bearable due to the influence of the sea and its cool breeze. Winters are pretty mild, even if the temperature can drop to 7 °C in January and February. Rainfalls are more abundant in the eastern area mainly between October and April, while on the western side they tend to decrease.
Sailing in this area, the winds will usually be calm and will blow from North-West, but close to Port Vauban the prevailing wind blows from East. In terms of sailing around this area, the captains should always take into consideration the intense north-westerly wind, the Mistral. It blows mainly in winter time but, occasionally, it blows on the coasts during the summer too. It can reach up to 185 km/h, however, in summer time is less intense and not as frequent as the southeast wind. As a bottom line, the best sailing season on Cote d’Azur is from May to September.
Yacths in Port Vauban, Antibes
capetanos.comSightseeing in Antibes
This classic resort town offers all the attractions of a summertime vacation destination: sunny days, sandy beaches, and a lively holiday ambience. Antibes has 23 kilometres of coastline with dozens of beaches overlooking the serene blue Mediterranean Sea. The beautiful natural setting of pine groves and sea views inspired Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and other artists, who captured the scenery in vibrant paintings.
The walled Old Town of Antibes is an inviting place to wander at a leisurely pace. The narrow, winding cobblestone streets are filled with little boutiques, gourmet food shops, cafés and restaurants. In the old town you should not miss two top attractions: the Archaeological Museum of Antibes and the renowned Picasso Museum.
Le Fort Carre it’s another landmark for Antibes. This 16th century fort with a unique star shape will amaze you with the panoramic views and scenic grounds.
After admiring the Old Town's atmospheric pedestrian lanes and ancient stone buildings and having a cold drink accompanied by a traditional dish, you should definitely go for a stroll along the ramparts. Overlooking the Baie des Anges, the path along the city's historic fortifications offers an exceptional panoramic view onto the Mediterranean Sea.
Antibes panoramic view, France
capetanos.comWe hope the information in this article will contribute to your decision for spending your next sailing vacation visiting Antibes and have a stop in the amazing Port Vauban, one of the top marinas on Cote d’Azur. The port offers great services and facilities, accompanied by the city’s astonishing culture and breathtaking landscapes.
