When you think yachts, you think billionaires. You probably also think about James Bond movies. And then there’s Monaco, the second-smallest country in the world behind Vatican City. Monaco boasts the highest concentration of billionaires and millionaires per capita in the world, which is why one of the biggest yacht shows in the world gathers there for a jaw-dropping display.
The 35th annual Monaco Yacht Show will get going next month (Sept. 23-26), and the initial list of attendees has recently been published. If it’s your first time attending, making the most of those days means making a real plan. There will be lots and lots to see, enjoy, and, yes, envy, including the Azimut Grande from global superyacht company MarineMax and the Daybreak from Fraser Yachts.
Chuck Cashman, SVP of Global Yacht Sales at MarineMax, understands better than anybody that attending the Monaco Yacht Show can be overwhelming, which is why he highly advises you have a plan.
“Have a plan before you go into a show. It can take you an hour to walk through a 100-foot boat, and in an 8-hour day, you won’t see many boats,” he says. “And in some cases, make appointments. Depending on your level of interest, find a broker that you are comfortable with to do the legwork for you. Would recommend connecting with a concierge to help you with reservations and recommendations — the best restaurants you want to make reservations for a month in advance.”
There are no shortages of places to eat and shop in Monaco. You can walk to the world’s most famous bend at the Fairmont Hairpin, like I did when I visited F1’s slowest and notoriously tight and sharp turn ahead of the 83rd running of the Monaco Grand Prix (I stayed at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, Monaco’s only hotel with a private beach). There’s also arguably the world’s most famous casino, Casino de Monte-Carlo, which is within walking distance of the Golden Square, where you can shop ’til you drop at Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chanel, and Rolex.
Yacht shows are plentiful around the world, but Monaco’s has some serious X-factor.
“Monaco is my professional home and in my ways, a central meeting point for the global superyacht community,” says Anders Kurtén, CEO of Fraser Yachts. “It’s where the 97-meter icon CARINTHIA VII debuted in 2023 following an extensive refit, and where we introduced the 78-meter ENERGY last year. You can often find one of Fraser’s listings passing through the port. Being headquartered in Monaco gives us a front-row seat to that energy. From my office overlooking the legendary La Rascasse corner of the Formula 1 circuit, I’m reminded daily that Monaco is where ambition meets precision — qualities that define both the Principality and the yachting world.”
How to get there
You’ll most likely land in Nice, France, and make the 40-minute drive into Monaco. It’s about an hour from Cannes and Antibes. Chances are you’ll rent a car, take a taxi, or Uber. But here’s a friendly reminder: You can Uber into Monaco, but you can’t order one within the principality. Plan for cabs.
In a surprise to no one, you can also arrive via helicopter and skip the traffic with hoper.
- From Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), travelers can reach Monaco Heliport in approximately 7 minutes — making it one of the quickest and most spectacular airport transfers on the Riviera.
- Other routes include Monaco to Cannes in approximately 12 minutes, covering around 31 miles of coastline in a fraction of the time it can take by road.
Monaco is always busy, from the Grand Prix to the Monaco Yacht Show, so opting for a chopper is the best way to maximize your time during one of the Riviera’s busiest weeks.
The Aziumut Grande
The 144-foot vessel features an upper deck features a veranda dining area for 12, a private media room, or a space for guests. The mezzanine deck has a sea-view terrace and a see-through plunge pool.
The Daybreak
This striking 171-foot Baglietto is from the acclaimed T52 series. The superyacht accommodates up to 10 guests across five luxurious staterooms with a crew of 11.
Designed for socializing, Daybreak features a dedicated DJ station, fire pit, BBQ, bar, a spectacular three-level beach club, swimming pool, and glass-sided jacuzzi. Her elegant Art Deco-inspired interiors, created by renowned father-son design studio Studio Vafiadis, earned finalist recognition for Best Interior Design at the 2026 BOAT Design & Innovation Awards.
