Beaches -- Along Nice's seafront, beaches extend uninterrupted for more than 7km (4 1/3 miles), going from the edge of Vieux Port (the old port) to the international airport, with most of the best bathing spots subdivided into public beaches and private concessionaires. None has sand; they're all covered with gravel (often the size of golf balls). The rocks are smooth but can be mettlesome to people with poor balance or tender feet. Tucked between the public beaches are the private beaches of hotels such as the Beau Rivage. Most of the public beaches consist of two sections: a free area and one where you can rent chaise longues, mattresses, and parasols, use changing rooms, and take freshwater showers. For that, you'll pay 10€ to 12€ ($13-$16) for a half-day, 12€ to 20€ ($16-$26) for a full day. Nude sunbathing is prohibited, but toplessness is common. Take buses no. 9, 10, 12, or 23.
Golf -- The oldest golf course on the Riviera is about 16km (10 miles) from Nice: Golf Bastide du Roi (also known as the Golf de Biot), route d'Antibes, Biot (tel. 04-93-65-08-48). Open daily, this is a flat, not particularly challenging seafronting course. (Golfers must cross a highway twice before completing the full 18 holes.) Tee times are 8am to 6pm; you can play until the sun sets. Reservations aren't necessary, though on weekends you should probably expect to wait. Greens fees are 50€ ($65).
Horseback Riding -- Nice Equitation, 368 rte. de Grenoble (tel. 04-93-71-24-34), rents about a dozen of its horses. About 5km (3 miles) from Nice, near the airport, it's hemmed in on virtually every side by busy roads and highways, and conducts all activities in a series of riding rings. Riding sessions should be reserved in advance; they last about an hour and cost 16€ ($21).
Scuba Diving -- The best outfit is the Centre International de Plongée (CIP) de Nice, 2 ruelle des Moulins (tel. 06-09-52-55-57 or 04-93-55-59-50; www.cip-nice.com), adjacent to the city's old port, between quai des Docks and boulevard Stalingrad. A baptême (dive for first-timers) costs 30€ ($39). A one-tank dive for experienced divers, equipment included, is 32€ ($42); appropriate diver's certification is required.
Tennis -- The oldest tennis club in Nice is the Nice Lawn Tennis Club, Parc Impérial, 5 av. Suzanne-Lenglen (tel. 04-92-15-58-00; French-only website www.niceltc.com). It's open daily 9am to 8pm from mid-October to mid-April (closed winter) and charges 15€ to 25€ ($20-$33) per person for 2 hours of court time. The club has a cooperative staff, a loyal clientele, 13 outdoor clay courts, and 6 outdoor hard-surface courts. Reserve the night before.
