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Terms of Service

Last updated: 1 August 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern the rental of vessels ("Charter") by Côte d'Azur Boat Charters SARL ("we", "us", "the Company") to any person booking through cotedazur-boatcharters.fr or by phone or email ("you", "the Charterer"). By submitting a booking, you accept these Terms in full.

1. Scope of Service

We provide bareboat (self-drive) and skippered charter of the vessels listed on our website, departing from our base at Port Lympia, Nice, France, for the duration and route agreed at booking. Skippered charters include a licensed skipper employed or contracted by the Company; bareboat charters are operated solely by the Charterer, who must meet the eligibility requirements in Section 5.

2. Booking & Confirmation

  1. A booking request submitted via our website or by phone is an offer to charter, not a confirmed reservation.
  2. A booking is confirmed only once we send a written confirmation by email, which forms a binding contract on these Terms.
  3. You must provide accurate identity, contact, and where applicable licence information at the time of booking and again at check-in.

3. Pricing & Payment

  1. All prices shown are in euros and include French VAT at the applicable rate unless stated otherwise.
  2. A deposit of 30% of the charter price is due at confirmation; the balance is due no later than 48 hours before departure.
  3. Fuel used beyond the standard allowance included in the price is billed at cost after the charter, based on the marina's fuel gauge reading at departure and return.
  4. Accepted payment methods are shown at checkout and in our footer; all online payments are processed through a PCI-DSS compliant payment provider.

4. Security Deposit

A refundable damage deposit, pre-authorised by credit card at check-in, is required for every charter (amount shown per vessel on the booking page, typically €300–€1,500). The deposit is released within 5 business days of the vessel's return, less the cost of any damage, missing equipment, excess fuel, or late return beyond the agreed time, itemised in writing.

5. Licences & Eligibility

Bareboat charter of vessels above the French unlicensed threshold requires the Charterer to hold and present a valid boating licence (Permis mer côtier or recognised foreign equivalent) at check-in. Vessels marked "no licence required" may be operated without a permit within daylight coastal limits under French law, subject to a mandatory safety briefing. We may refuse departure, without refund of the briefing time already provided, if presented documents are invalid, expired, or the Charterer appears unfit to operate the vessel safely, including due to alcohol or drug impairment.

6. Conduct & Vessel Use

  1. The vessel must be operated within the geographic and weather limits communicated at the briefing and may not be sub-chartered or used for commercial purposes.
  2. The maximum number of persons on board may never exceed the certified capacity stated for the vessel.
  3. The Charterer is responsible for the vessel and all persons on board for the duration of a bareboat charter and must promptly report any incident, damage, or breakdown to our 24-hour emergency line, provided at check-in.

7. Liability & Insurance

Every charter is covered by third-party liability insurance as described in our Legal Notice. This does not exempt the Charterer from liability for damage caused by a breach of these Terms, reckless operation, or exceeding the vessel's certified limits, which may be deducted from the security deposit or separately invoiced. To the extent permitted by French law, our liability for indirect or consequential loss is excluded; nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under French or EU law.

8. Cancellation

Cancellation, refund and the EU 14-day right of withdrawal are governed by our separate Cancellation & Refund Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

9. Force Majeure

Neither party is liable for failure to perform due to events beyond reasonable control, including severe weather, port authority restriction, or official prohibition. Where we cancel a confirmed charter for such a reason, you may choose a full refund or a rebooking credit valid for 12 months.

10. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by French law. Consumers may bring proceedings either before the French courts or before the courts of their own EU member state of residence, in line with mandatory EU consumer-protection rules. Consumers may also use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.