The Hercule port

Monaco’s Hercule port is a natural bay situated at the foot of the ancestral rock of the Princes of Monaco 
 It is one of the rare, if not the only, deep water ports on the Riviera.

It was once used by the Greeks and the Romans as a commercial port, but it had an inconvenience : being poorly sheltered from winds from the East. For this reason, two quays were constructed at the beginning of the 20th century which offered a better but not totally efficient protection.

More recently, his Royal Highness the Prince Rainer III commissioned studies in the 70’s to improve the harbor’s protection by placing, beyond the two existing quays, a new seawall designed to totally shelter the port from Eastern swells.

The studies resulted in the construction of a 352 meter long, 160,000 ton immense structure at the base of the rock of Gibraltar. This unique structure has the advantage of being semi-floating in order to preserve the sea’s natural plant and animal life.

It was towed to the Principality and anchored at the foot of the rock. It was completed by an opposing quay 145 meters long.

The new seawall equally allows the berthing of large cruise ships (up to 310 meters in length) and over 210 cruises have been planned for 2006.
This new forward port also allows the completion of an additional quay for the berthing of 20 yachts between 35 and 60 meters and two yachts of 100 meters, opposite the new yacht club, a strikingly modern building designed by Lord Norman Foster, whose construction will begin next year. The total capacity of the Hercule port will be increased to 700 places. 
Within the former port, His Royal Highness the Prince Albert II, who continued the work began by his father, wished to make Monaco’s harbor the most modern and practical port on the Mediterranean. 
This restructuring which is in progress will increase the harbor’s capacity by 40 places but more importantly, will allow the berthing of luxury yachts in the framework of the increasing luxury yacht business.

In this way, two areas will be created to berth in one part, two yachts of over 100 meters, and in the other part 10 yachts between 60 and 80 meters, all benefiting from the most modern and convenient facilities. This will allow the establishment of annual contracts.

The cost of these works should be in the neighborhood of 300 million euros. The works should be completed in 2010.

Details of the Hercule port :

Operation :

Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco
Technical and Operations Director : Mr Daniel REALINI. (+377 97 77 30 00)
Port Authority : +377 97 77 30 20
Head DockMaster : Mr André Auréglia
Dock Master : Mr Jean-Paul Palmero
VHF canal 12
Welcome during the high season from 7 :00 a.m. to 10 :00 p.m.
Port patrolled 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.

Equipement :

700 places including 30 visitors according to the availability at the Etats-Unis quay
Depth : Outside pier 30 meters, Front port 10 meters, Docks from 5 to 30 meters
Reception : pilot post at +377 97 77 30 20 or VHF channel 12
Anchoring : stern to quay, anchor off bow

Services :

Fresh water, electricity at dock and on pontoons (220V / 380V), 20 showers, 20 restrooms, Pay phone and on-board telephone upon request. TV at dock, laundromat in town, containers for used oil and batteries, Gas on wharf (Station BP).

IMPORTANT : Work in progress between the opposing quay and the old North and South quays.

Tarifs 2008 du Port Hercule (ttc) :