Best Beaches in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: Paloma, Passable & More
The most popular beaches in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat are Paloma (a sheltered cove facing the bay of Beaulieu), Passable (facing Villefranche Bay, perfect in the afternoon), Cros deï Pin (the family beach by the harbor) and Les Fossettes, a little inlet loved by snorkelers. They're pebble or fine-gravel beaches, small and quick to fill up in summer: come early, on foot or by bus.
There's no long sandy beach on Cap Ferrat: here you swim in coves, sheltered by pines and cliffs. Each beach has its own exposure and atmosphere, and the right choice mostly comes down to the time of day.
Paloma: the sheltered cove on Pointe Saint-Hospice
On the east side, halfway between the harbor and Pointe Saint-Hospice, Paloma is a pebble cove about 150 m long, facing the bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Because it doesn't face the open sea, the water is often calm.
The beach is split between a public section shaded by pines and a private beach club with a restaurant around the jetty . You reach it down a flight of steps from Chemin de Saint-Hospice (address: 21, chemin de Saint-Hospice). Parking along this dead-end lane is very limited, so walk from the harbor (about ten minutes) along the coastal path.
Who's it for? Families and laid-back swimmers. When? In the morning: the cove falls into shade by mid-afternoon.
Passable: the sunset beach
On the west coast, opposite Villefranche-sur-Mer, Plage de Passable looks straight out over the bay. The right-hand side is public and free; the left-hand side is home to a private beach club with a restaurant. The seabed is a mix of sand, small pebbles and gravel.
Facing west, it gets sun from the afternoon through to evening. Access is via Chemin de Passable, where there's a paid parking lot (14, chemin de Passable), or via Chemin du Lido. It's also the finishing point of the trail around the Cap: a well-earned swim after the hike.
Who's it for? Anyone who wants to make the most of the afternoon and the view over the bay. When? From 2 p.m. until sunset.
Cros deï Pin: the harbor beach, easy with kids
Just past Saint-Jean harbor, on the Beaulieu side, Plage Cros deï Pin is a public sand-and-gravel beach a little over 150 m long. It's the most convenient one: the harbor's shops, restrooms and restaurants are right there, and beach guides report lifeguards in season .
The Cros deï Pin parking lot is next door, but spaces go fast in summer. The ideal way in is bus no. 15 to the "Port de Saint-Jean" terminus.
Who's it for? Families with young children. When? All day.
Les Fossettes and Les Fosses: the wild coves of the south
At the tip of Pointe Saint-Hospice, the Anse des Fossettes is a small public gravel beach on the coastal path. Its neighbor, Plage des Fosses, marks the start of the headland. Few facilities and no built shade: you come here for the clear water, the rocks and the off-season peace and quiet.
The rocky seabed and seagrass meadows draw snorkelers; you'll find all the details in our article on snorkeling in Cap Ferrat.
Who's it for? Couples, confident swimmers and snorkelers. When? In the morning, when the sea is calm.
What about La Scaletta?
The tourist office also lists Plage de la Scaletta among the town's beaches .
Tips for enjoying Cap Ferrat's beaches
- Leave the car behind: parking is paid and packed in summer (free from October 1 to April 30, according to the tourist office). Take bus no. 15 from Nice or from Beaulieu-sur-Mer station.
- Water shoes: pebbles and rocks are the norm.
- Stay inside the buoyed swimming zone in summer: there's a lot of boat traffic, especially around Paloma.
- Mind the posidonia: the coastline is part of the "Cap Ferrat" Natura 2000 site. The seagrass that washes up on some beaches in winter is part of the ecosystem.
- Pack out your trash: there are few bins on the wilder coves.
To compare with neighboring towns, see also the beaches of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and the beaches of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
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Frequently asked questions
Are there sandy beaches in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat?
Not really: they're mostly pebbles and fine gravel, sometimes mixed with sand, as at Cros deï Pin and Passable.
Which beach is best with kids?
Cros deï Pin, near the harbor, for its facilities and easy bus access, or Paloma for its usually calm water.
Are Cap Ferrat's beaches public?
Yes, for the most part. Paloma and Passable also have a private beach club with a restaurant along part of their shoreline.
Where can you watch the sunset in Cap Ferrat?
At Passable, on the west coast, facing Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Go kayaking with Azurkay
Some of Cap Ferrat's coves can only really be reached from the sea. Our Beaulieu-sur-Mer tour paddles along Cap Ferrat by kayak, with state-certified instructors and a maximum of 16 participants . A chance to see the coastline from a whole new angle, then come back and unwind on one of these beaches.
