Riva Aquariva

Onboard the Riva Aquariva

Riva Aquariva keeps its footprint small and its presence unmistakable: a ten-metre hull with a mahogany deck, wide enough for eight guests to spread out but light enough to hold cruising speeds near 41 knots. The single cabin below is built for changing rather than sleeping, which suits the boat's real purpose - quick, focused runs along the coast rather than nights at anchor. On a flat morning the deck reads more like a private terrace that happens to move fast.

Based out of Saint-Tropez, the boat suits a half-day run south past the peninsula toward Cap Taillat and Baie de Briande, where the water turns clear and there's no road access to draw a crowd - a stretch better covered by a fast, small hull than a larger motor yacht. It also handles the shorter run out to Pampelonne, close enough to shore for a beach club lunch before heading back. Groups of four to eight - couples doubling up, or a small family with older children - tend to get the most from the layout, and with no overnight cabin arrangement to plan around, booking stays simple: pick a route, confirm timing, and let the speed do the rest.