AT YOUR SERVICEYacht Agent Services
Yacht Agent Services
in Antibes
Swift Marine provides yacht agent services designed to support captains, pursers, crew, and owners throughout their stay on the French Riviera. Based in Antibes since 1988, we coordinate berths, port formalities, guest arrangements, and all the essential on-shore logistics that ensure smooth operations in Antibes, Monaco, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez.
These yacht agency services often extend to operational support such as logistics and customs solutions, crew assistance, and yacht sourcing and provisioning, helping captains and owners manage vessel requirements efficiently
Berth Reservations & Port Coordination
We manage berth confirmations in Antibes, Monaco, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez, ensuring smooth arrivals even during high-traffic periods.
Our support covers the full port sequence:
- Short- and long-term berth reservations
- Communication with harbour masters and port authorities
- Arrival & departure formalities
- Port stamps and vessel clearances
- Cruising authorisations and navigation permits
On-Shore Logistics
Our yacht agent team assists with on-shore logistics that require local knowledge, reliable partners, and efficient coordination. These services help captains manage day-to-day operational needs while ensuring smooth vessel turnaround.
Our services include:
- Medical arrangements for on-shore needs
- Car and van rental for vessel operations
- Errands and practical on-shore support
Administrative & Regulatory Handling
We take care of on-shore administrative tasks so captains and crew can focus fully on operations. Regulations vary between ports, and mistakes can cause delays or unnecessary complications.
Our team manages:
- Cash declarations
- Port paperwork, including declarations, forms, and harbour documentation
- Coordination with port administration to ensure compliance
Guest & Owner Concierge Services
We support owners and guests with tailored on-shore logistics designed to enhance their stay. Whether it’s a short visit or a fully planned itinerary, Swift Marine manages:
- Guest transportation by van, berline, or helicopter
- Hotel, restaurant, and beach club reservations, including during high-demand periods
- Event planning for private gatherings or itineraries
- DJ and live band bookings
- Furniture rentals
- Tour guides and regional excursions to discover the French Riviera
- High-end owner requests
Provisioning During Peak Season: Why Coordination Matters
During peak periods on the French Riviera — including the Monaco Grand Prix, the Cannes Film Festival, and the summer season from July to September — having a reliable yacht agent on the ground becomes essential. Berth availability tightens, port communications become more demanding, and even small delays can quickly impact operations and guest experience. With a strong local presence and established relationships across key ports such as Port Vauban, Port Hercule, Port Canto, and Port de Saint-Tropez, Swift Marine can secure berths ahead of peak demand, coordinate arrivals in real time, and adapt quickly to last-minute changes.
For commercial yachts, preparation is just as critical. Port formalities and documentation must be handled in advance, as busy periods leave no room for delays or incomplete paperwork. Based in Antibes and operating year-round since 1988, Swift Marine provides consistent, on-the-ground support that remote yacht agents cannot match.
For commercial yachts, preparation is just as critical. Port formalities and documentation must be handled in advance, as busy periods leave no room for delays or incomplete paperwork. Based in Antibes and operating year-round since 1988, Swift Marine provides consistent, on-the-ground support that remote yacht agents cannot match.
Antibes yacht agent
Operational Insights
Berth availability varies significantly throughout the year. Outside peak season, berths can often be secured with relatively short notice. However, during high-traffic periods, lead times increase considerably. For example, berth allocation for the Monaco Grand Prix is not handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are reviewed by the Monaco Ports allocation committee, and submission deadlines are strictly enforced, typically at the end of February. Once this deadline has passed, new applications are no longer accepted, and availability is effectively closed. In these cases, alternative berthing strategies in nearby ports such as Antibes or Cannes may need to be considered.
Early reservations and flexibility on timing are strongly recommended. For last-minute requests during these periods, a local agent with established harbour relationships can sometimes secure alternatives that are not publicly listed. We advise contacting us as early as possible so we can assess availability and advise realistically.
Early reservations and flexibility on timing are strongly recommended. For last-minute requests during these periods, a local agent with established harbour relationships can sometimes secure alternatives that are not publicly listed. We advise contacting us as early as possible so we can assess availability and advise realistically.
Port Vauban is one of the largest yacht harbours in the Mediterranean and is divided into several zones managed by different port authorities. Berth reservations for visiting yachts are handled through the harbour office, and availability depends on the vessel's length overall (LOA), draft, and the duration of the stay. As a yacht agent based in Antibes, Swift Marine coordinates berth requests at Port Vauban directly with the harbour master's office. We handle availability checks, submission of vessel details, confirmation of arrival and departure times, and any required port documentation — allowing captains to focus on operations rather than administration.
A yacht agent cannot override port capacity limits, but we significantly speed up the coordination process by communicating directly with harbour masters, monitoring berth availability in real time, and managing rapid changes to itineraries. Our long-standing relationships often help us secure solutions more quickly and provide early intelligence on availability constraints.
Ports may still accommodate the vessel, but there is no guarantee of availability - particularly for large yachts or during busy periods. In some cases, yachts may need to anchor temporarily or wait for an allocated berth.
We can assist by immediately contacting harbour authorities, identifying alternative berthing options, and coordinating the arrival to reduce waiting time.
We can assist by immediately contacting harbour authorities, identifying alternative berthing options, and coordinating the arrival to reduce waiting time.
A yacht agent acts as the on-shore representative for a vessel during its stay in port. The role covers a wide range of services depending on the yacht's needs, but typically includes: berth reservations and port coordination, customs and immigration formalities, on-shore logistics (deliveries, transfers, errands), administrative paperwork, and coordination with harbour masters, port authorities, and local service providers. For commercial yachts, a yacht agent also ensures that arrival and departure documentation is compliant with port and flag state requirements. For private yachts, the focus is often on efficiency, discretion, and guest experience. Swift Marine has operated as a yacht agent in Antibes since 1988, providing continuity of service across seasons and across the main ports of the French Riviera.
Not necessarily, but having a single yacht agent covering multiple ports simplifies operations considerably. Rather than dealing with separate contacts in Antibes, Monaco, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez, a regional agent can coordinate across all ports in a single itinerary — managing berth reservations, formalities, and logistics from one point of contact. This is particularly useful during busy seasons when communication with port authorities needs to happen quickly and through established channels. Swift Marine covers the main ports of the French Riviera, meaning captains and pursers deal with one team throughout the season.
Yes. Itinerary changes are a routine part of yacht operations, and Swift Marine's team is accustomed to managing last-minute adjustments. Whether it's a change of berth, an unplanned stop, an early departure, or an urgent delivery, we coordinate in real time with port authorities and local service providers. The advantage of working with a local yacht agent is response time — we are physically present on the French Riviera and can act immediately rather than relaying requests remotely.
Our other yacht support services
Swift Marine also assists vessels with customs and logistics handling, crew assistance, and yacht provisioning and sourcing. These complementary services help captains manage port calls, onboard needs, and operational requirements throughout the French Riviera.