Active Pursuits in Antibes

Juan-les-Pins
Beaches -- Part of the reason people flock to Juan-les-Pins is for the town’s wealth of sandy beaches, all lapped by calm waters. The town also basks in a unique microclimate, making it one of the warmest places on the Riviera to soak up the sun, even in winter. Plage de Juan-les-Pins is the most central beach, although quieter stretches of sand wrap around the Cap d’Antibes and include family-friendly Plage de la Salis and chic Plage de la Garoupe. If you do want to stretch out on a sun lounger, go to any of the beach-bar concessions that line the bay, where you can rent a mattress for around 12€ to 20€. Topless sunbathing and overt shows of cosmetic surgery are the norm.

Watersports -- If you’re interested in scuba diving, try Easy Dive, bd. Edouard Baudouin (www.easydive.fr; tel. 04-93-61-26-07). A one-tank dive costs 30€ to 55€, including all equipment. Sea kayaking, pedalos, parasailing, and donuts are available at virtually every beach in Juan-les-Pins. Waterskiing was invented at the Hôtel des Belles-Rives in the 1920s, and it’s still a great place to try out the sport.