Monaco is one of the busiest superyacht anchorages on the planet — and one of the most demanding for passage planning. The principality sits at the heart of the French Riviera, making it an ideal base for exploring the western Mediterranean, but the port infrastructure, berthing costs, and surrounding anchorage limitations mean that every captain operating here needs precise data before they move. This guide gives you the numbers: distances to 12 Med destinations, fuel costs by vessel size, speed versus cost comparisons, and the bunkering options available in and around Monaco.
Distance table — Monaco to 12 Med destinations
All distances are nautical miles (nm) measured on a direct rhumb line. Actual routing may add distance depending on traffic separation schemes, anchorage approaches, and coastal passage waypoints. Times assume calm-water cruising speed with no current adjustment.
| Destination | Region | Distance (nm) | Time @ 10kts | Time @ 12kts | Leg type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nice | French Riviera | 9 | 0h 54m | 0h 45m | Day hop |
| Antibes / Juan-les-Pins | French Riviera | 16 | 1h 36m | 1h 20m | Day hop |
| Cannes | French Riviera | 23 | 2h 18m | 1h 55m | Day hop |
| San Remo | Italian Riviera | 22 | 2h 12m | 1h 50m | Day hop |
| Saint-Tropez | French Riviera | 73 | 7h 18m | 6h 05m | Half day |
| Portofino | Italian Riviera | 55 | 5h 30m | 4h 35m | Half day |
| Genoa | Northern Italy | 80 | 8h 00m | 6h 40m | Half day |
| Corsica (Ajaccio) | French island | 195 | 19h 30m | 16h 15m | Overnight |
| Livorno | Central Italy | 155 | 15h 30m | 12h 55m | Overnight |
| Rome (Civitavecchia) | Central Italy | 305 | 30h 30m | 25h 25m | Overnight |
| Barcelona | Spain | 405 | 40h 30m | 33h 45m | Multi-day |
| Palma de Mallorca | Balearics | 337 | 33h 42m | 28h 05m | Multi-day |
Fuel cost: Monaco to Palma by vessel size
Palma is the most common multi-day passage from Monaco — beginning or ending a Balearics season. The table below shows indicative fuel cost at current Antibes/Genoa MGO prices (approximately $820/MT as of mid-May 2026) at 12 knots. VLSFO is not widely available on this route for smaller yachts; figures use MGO DMA grade.
| Vessel size | Burn rate (L/hr) | Total litres | MT used | Fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35m motor yacht | 160 L/hr | 4,491 | 3.8 MT | $3,117 |
| 45m motor yacht | 230 L/hr | 6,452 | 5.5 MT | $4,508 |
| 55m motor yacht | 310 L/hr | 8,698 | 7.4 MT | $6,052 |
| 65m motor yacht | 420 L/hr | 11,781 | 10.0 MT | $8,202 |
| 75m motor yacht | 580 L/hr | 16,278 | 13.8 MT | $11,323 |
| 90m motor yacht | 820 L/hr | 23,005 | 19.5 MT | $16,009 |
Based on 337nm at 12 knots (28h 05m). MGO at ~$820/MT (Antibes/Genoa indicative, mid-May 2026). Density conversion: 1,180 L per MT. Burn rates are representative mid-load figures; actual consumption depends on hull form, loading, sea state, and engine condition.
Speed vs cost: Monaco to Genoa (80nm)
Genoa is the most common bunkering stop for Monaco-based yachts and a natural overnight or early-morning run. The table below shows how speed affects passage time and total fuel cost for a 55m vessel at 310 L/hr.
| Speed | Time | Fuel used (L) | Fuel cost | vs 12kts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 knots | 8h 53m | 2,757 | $1,917 | −$488 |
| 10 knots | 8h 00m | 2,480 | $1,724 | −$681 |
| 12 knots | 6h 40m | 2,480 | $2,405 | baseline |
| 14 knots | 5h 43m | 2,127 | $3,108 | +$703 |
| 16 knots | 5h 00m | 2,480 | $4,288 | +$1,883 |
55m motor yacht, 310 L/hr base burn at 12kts. Fuel burn scales approximately with the cube of speed ratio. MGO at $820/MT indicative. ✦ denotes efficient cruise band.
The Monaco–Palma route (337nm) typically requires an overnight passage. Departing Monaco at 18:00 at 12 knots puts you into Palma just after 22:00 the following evening — a full day at sea. Lifting fuel in Genoa before departure saves approximately $150–$200/MT versus topping up in Palma at current relative prices. For a 55m vessel, a full bunker in Genoa before a westbound run to Palma is the optimal fuel strategy.
Worked example — Monaco to Portofino
One of the most popular Riviera hops: Monaco to Portofino, 55nm east along the Italian coast. A quick morning departure gets you in for lunch.
Fuel cost — 55m motor yacht, Monaco → Portofino
Run this calculation for your own vessel in SeaWise — enter Monaco and Portofino as your ports, input your vessel's actual burn rate, and the app returns passage time, fuel used, and total cost at current market prices. It takes about 20 seconds.
Bunkering near Monaco
Monaco itself does not operate as a primary bunkering port. The principality's port capacity is dedicated almost entirely to berthing, and fuel is not delivered ex-wharf at competitive commercial prices. Captains operating from Monaco have three practical bunkering options:
- Antibes (Port Vauban) — 16nm west. The largest marina on the French Riviera and the most convenient bunker stop for Monaco-based yachts. MGO available ex-wharf. Port Vauban handles vessels up to 165m. Current indicative MGO: approximately $820/MT.
- Genoa (Voltri / Molo Giano) — 80nm east. Major commercial port with full bunkering infrastructure. Competitive pricing for larger stems (100+ MT). Well-suited for eastbound departures or before a long westbound passage to Palma or Barcelona.
- Nice (Lympia / Port de Nice) — 9nm west. Small commercial port. Limited bunker infrastructure for larger vessels but suitable for smaller yachts topping up. Confirm availability with your agent before arriving.
For Monaco Grand Prix week and other high-season periods, bunkering windows at Antibes are heavily booked. Arrange bunker calls 48–72 hours in advance during peak season (late April through early September).
Monaco port operations — what captains need to know
Port de Monaco operates under the Société d'Exploitation des Ports de Monaco (SEPM). Advance booking is essential for any berth — walk-in arrivals are rarely possible during season. The Hercule port complex has three quays: Quai des États-Unis (primarily commercial), Quai Antoine Ier (superyachts and large vessels), and Quai de la Rainer III (mid-size yachts).
The Port Hercule anchorage area is subject to strict rules during Grand Prix week (typically late May), when the port is fully closed to arriving vessels and all anchorages within 500m are restricted. Plan passages around or well ahead of this window if your itinerary takes you through Monaco in late May.
Fontvieille Port (the western harbour) is primarily used for commercial and working vessels and is not generally available for superyacht berthing without specific arrangements through the port authority.
FAQ — Monaco passages and fuel planning
How far is Monaco from Cannes?
Monaco to Cannes is approximately 23 nautical miles. At 12 knots, the passage takes just under 2 hours — a comfortable morning run with arrival before noon. The route passes Antibes and the Cap d'Antibes headland; keep 1nm clearance around the cape in any swell. A 55m yacht at 310 L/hr will burn approximately 581 litres (0.49 MT) on this leg — a fuel cost of around $405 at current prices.
How far is Monaco from Palma de Mallorca?
Monaco to Palma de Mallorca is approximately 337 nautical miles. At 12 knots, this is a 28-hour passage — typically departing in the afternoon and arriving the following evening, or as a dawn departure with an overnight at sea. The route passes south of Corsica and Sardinia before heading northwest through the Balearic Sea. Fuel costs for a 55m vessel run approximately $6,000–$6,200 at current MGO prices around $820/MT.
Where do superyachts bunker near Monaco?
The primary bunkering stop for Monaco-based vessels is Port Vauban in Antibes, 16nm to the west. It is the largest superyacht marina on the Riviera with full ex-wharf MGO and VLSFO supply for vessels up to 165m. Genoa (80nm east) is the preferred option for larger stems or eastbound passages. Monaco port itself is not a commercial bunkering hub — fuel deliveries by road tanker are possible but expensive and logistically complex. Always arrange bunkering in advance through a fuel broker or your port agent.
How long does it take to get from Monaco to Portofino?
Monaco to Portofino is 55 nautical miles — approximately 4 hours 35 minutes at 12 knots. The passage runs east along the Italian Riviera through Liguria, passing San Remo and Imperia before arriving at the Tigullio Gulf. It is a straightforward coastal passage in fair weather. Fuel burn for a 55m vessel is approximately 1.2 MT (~$989 at current prices). At 14 knots, you save about 50 minutes but spend an extra $380 in fuel — an unusually poor trade on this short leg.
Does the Monaco to Palma route require overnight watches?
Yes. At any practical cruising speed below 14 knots, Monaco to Palma is an overnight passage. At 12 knots, you will be at sea for approximately 28 hours. Most captains plan a departure in the afternoon, cross the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas overnight, and clear into the Balearic Sea the following morning. The passage is well-trafficked and routes away from Corsica and Sardinia are straightforward, but a full complement of qualified watch-keepers is required. SeaWise shows you exact departure timing, sea passage duration, and fuel cost before you leave — so the crew briefing is based on confirmed numbers, not estimates.
Calculate your Monaco passage
SeaWise gives you instant distances, passage times and fuel costs for Monaco — to Cannes, Portofino, Palma, Barcelona and the full Mediterranean circuit. Available on iOS and web.