Cannes: Private Boat Trip to Lerins Islands & Cap d’Antibes

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to treat the Côte d’Azur like your own seaside playground. From Camille Rayon Marina, you cruise past Cap d’Antibes and across the Golfe-Juan to the Lerins Islands, stopping wherever the water looks right for swimming, snorkeling, or a quiet drink in the sun.

I like the small private group, limited to five passengers plus the skipper, and I like having a paddleboard, snorkel gear, swim noodles, and life jackets already onboard. Philippe, the usual skipper, adds local stories about Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and the islands. The main consideration is cost: the advertised price is $342 per group, but the €200 skipper fee is paid separately onboard, and food, drinks, and transport are extra.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to five passengers: You get a personal outing rather than a large group cruise, with room to shape the day around your party.
• Cap d’Antibes and the Lerins Islands: The route combines famous Riviera coastline with island stops near Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat.
• Swimming equipment is provided: Snorkels, masks, paddleboard, noodles, and life jackets let you enjoy the water without packing bulky gear.
• Philippe brings local stories: He explains the coast and its past in English or French, with an easygoing style that works well for families.
• Three to six hours on the water: A half-day works for a swim and island visit, but the six-hour option gives you breathing room.
• Plan for the real price: Add the €200 skipper fee, transport to the marina, and any food or drinks you bring or order.

Setting out from Camille Rayon Marina

The trip begins at Camille Rayon Marina, a useful launch point between Cannes and Antibes. It is accessible by car or public transport, but transportation to and from the marina is not included, so allow time to reach the harbor on your own.

Your skipper contacts you shortly before departure with the boat details, meeting place, start time, and current weather conditions. Pay attention to those messages. The exact meeting instructions matter at a marina, and weather can affect the route and swimming stops.

The boat has a pilothouse, a large cockpit with passenger seating and a table, a fore-cabin, storage space, and a swimming platform. Reviews describe it as clean, comfortable, and well maintained, with some shade as well as places to sit in the sun. That mix is useful on the Riviera, where a few hours in direct sun can become tiring faster than you expect.

Leave high heels at home. They are not allowed onboard, and practical shoes with a secure sole are the better choice. Bring swimwear, a towel, cash, and clothing suited to the weather. Drinking water is included, but meals and other drinks are not.

Seeing Cap d’Antibes from the sea

The boat first heads toward Cap d’Antibes, giving you a fresh angle on one of the coast’s most famous stretches. From the water, you see the shore without dealing with road traffic or the tight parking that can make a coastal drive frustrating in summer.

This section is especially good for photographs. The boat lets you take in the headland, waterfront homes, and coves from offshore, while Philippe explains points along the coast. His local knowledge is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private skipper rather than simply renting a boat.

The route can include views toward Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Cannes, and areas such as Billionaire’s Bay, depending on the time available and the conditions. Do not think of the trip as a fixed sightseeing checklist. The appeal is that you can tell Philippe what matters most to you, then spend more time swimming, looking at the coast, or hearing local stories.

That flexibility works particularly well for mixed groups. One person can sit under cover, children can use the noodles, and stronger swimmers can try the paddleboard. You are not forced to follow a long commentary program or spend the entire outing moving from one landmark to another.

Crossing the Golfe-Juan to the Lerins Islands

From Cap d’Antibes, the boat crosses the Golfe-Juan toward the Lerins Islands. Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat are the main island names to know, and each offers a different kind of stop.

Sainte-Marguerite is the larger island and is well suited to a short walk combined with time in the water. Saint-Honorat is associated with its monastery and vineyards, giving your island visit a quieter, more reflective feel. Your time ashore will be limited on a three-hour outing, so the full six-hour trip is the better choice if you want both a proper swim and a walk.

The island visit is not a strenuous shore excursion. It is a chance to stretch your legs, see a little more than the coastline, and then return to the boat. Philippe gives clear instructions about when to meet back onboard, which helps keep the outing relaxed instead of making you watch the clock every minute.

One practical point: the trip does not promise a fixed amount of walking or a particular island stop. The route is shaped around your wishes, sea conditions, and the time you book. Ask Philippe at the start which combination of islands and water stops makes the most sense for your group.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

The boat anchors at suitable spots near the islands, where you can use the supplied snorkeling gear and paddleboard. The water is the main event here: bright, clear, and inviting for a swim when conditions cooperate.

You do not need to rent equipment separately. Masks, snorkels, life jackets, swim noodles, and a stand-up paddleboard are included. The noodles are handy for anyone who wants to float without committing to a serious swim, and families can use them to make the water feel less intimidating for children.

Several families found Philippe calm and patient with children who were unsure about getting into the sea. That does not make the activity suitable for every child, though. The tour is not suitable for children under three, and all passengers should be comfortable around a boat and swimming platform. Life jackets are provided, but adult supervision remains essential.

Snorkeling conditions can vary with weather and water movement, so keep your expectations sensible. You may see interesting underwater sights, including the submerged head sculptures sometimes visited near the islands, but the trip is not presented as a specialist scuba or marine-life excursion. Think of it as a pleasant chance to look beneath the surface between swims.

The paddleboard adds a little activity without changing the relaxed character of the day. You can paddle near the anchored boat, float on the noodles, or simply sit on the platform and enjoy the water. If you prefer not to swim, there is still plenty to do from the cockpit.

Why six hours is worth considering

The available duration ranges from three to six hours. A three-hour trip can work well for a couple or a small group that mainly wants a boat ride and one or two swimming stops.

The half-day option is also a smart fit if you have other plans in Cannes or Antibes. You can spend the morning at a market or in town, bring a picnic onboard, and use the afternoon for swimming and cruising. That gives you a taste of the coast without giving up the rest of your day.

I would choose six hours if this is one of your main Côte d’Azur activities. The longer outing allows time for Cap d’Antibes, the crossing to the islands, a swim, snorkeling or paddleboarding, a short island walk, and a proper pause for lunch. Several families who chose a half-day wished they had booked the full day.

A longer trip also makes the private format more valuable. On a standard sightseeing cruise, the boat must follow its schedule. Here, extra time means you can anchor for a while, enjoy a picnic, order food, or stay in a favorite swimming spot without making every stop feel rushed.

Bringing lunch or ordering food from the water

Food and drinks are allowed onboard, with storage space for bags and provisions. This is an excellent chance to bring a picnic from Cannes, Antibes, or Juan-les-Pins rather than paying for a formal restaurant meal.

A simple spread works best: sandwiches, fruit, pastries, and something cold to drink. The boat has a table in the cockpit, so you can eat while anchored rather than trying to balance lunch on your lap while underway.

You can also use restaurants at the marina or on the islands. During the warmer months, small delivery boats may bring pizza, snacks, ice cream, and drinks directly to boats in the area. That is a fun Riviera touch, but availability is not guaranteed, so bring enough food if lunch matters to you.

Drinking water is included. Other drinks and food are not, and the €200 skipper fee is separate from the booking price. For a couple, this is a fairly costly private outing. For a family or group of five splitting the boat price and skipper fee, the value improves considerably, especially compared with booking several separate activities.

One detail worth noting is the stated capacity: five passengers plus the skipper. Some past groups appear to have been larger, but you should plan according to the current stated limit rather than assume six passengers will be accepted.

Philippe’s role as skipper and guide

Philippe is more than a person at the wheel. He explains the coast, points out places along the route, and shares stories about Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and the Lerins Islands. His commentary is useful because it connects the scenery with the people and events that shaped the area.

His approach also suits a private trip. He can adjust the pace for a couple looking for quiet time, a family that wants water activities, or a group more interested in island walks and local history. He has helped nervous children understand the boat rules and feel at ease around the swimming platform.

Communication before the trip is another strong point. Philippe sends clear information about where to meet and what to expect, then gives instructions onboard before setting off. That matters when your day includes a boat, changing weather, children, and a meeting point inside a large marina.

The tour is offered in English and French. If you want a particular balance of swimming, island time, and sightseeing, tell him early. A private trip works best when you use that freedom rather than simply waiting for a standard route.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

This is a strong choice for a couple celebrating something special, a family with children over three, or a small group of friends who want the boat to themselves. It is especially good for people who prefer a flexible day over a rigid sightseeing schedule.

Families should appreciate the shade, seating, life jackets, noodles, and patient guidance. Still, the boat is not wheelchair accessible, and the swimming platform requires getting in and out of the water in a conventional way.

You should choose another activity if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, or need a fully accessible excursion. The scenery is excellent from the cockpit, but the outing is built around being on the water, with swimming and water equipment as central parts of the experience.

For a first visit to the Riviera, this trip also makes sense as a break from town sightseeing. After walking through Cannes, Antibes, Nice, or Monaco, a few hours floating near the islands can reset your pace. You see famous coastline without another museum, church, or crowded street.

Price, timing, and practical value

The listed price is $342 per group of up to five, for three to six hours. Add the €200 skipper fee paid onboard. You also pay for your own transport, meals, and drinks, so compare the complete cost rather than the headline figure.

The private format is where the price earns its keep. Five passengers can share the boat, choose the pace, bring their own picnic, and use the equipment without paying for separate rentals. For two people, the same fixed group price is harder to justify unless privacy and flexibility are your top priorities.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. Weather information arrives shortly before the outing, making it important to check your messages rather than rely only on an old itinerary.

The transport score is exceptionally high, but the boat experience itself depends on the sea, weather, and your chosen duration. A calm day with six hours available gives you the best chance to enjoy everything without hurrying.

Should you book the Lerins Islands boat trip?

I would book this if you want a personal day on the Mediterranean and can share the cost with several people. The combination of Cap d’Antibes views, Lerins Islands, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and Philippe’s local stories gives you far more variety than a simple harbor cruise.

Choose the six-hour option if the boat day is a highlight of your Riviera visit. Choose three hours if you mainly want a swim and a scenic ride before returning to Cannes or Antibes.

Before booking, make sure everyone is comfortable with the boat, remember the separate €200 skipper fee, and plan your food. If those details fit your budget and group, this is one of the most enjoyable ways to trade crowded city streets for open water and a few unhurried hours along the Côte d’Azur.

FAQ

Where does the private boat trip begin?

The trip begins at Camille Rayon Marina, which is accessible by car or public transport from Cannes and Antibes.

How long is the boat trip?

The available durations range from three to six hours. Check the selected date for available starting times.

How many passengers can join?

The boat accommodates up to five passengers plus the skipper.

Is the skipper fee included in the advertised price?

No. The €200 skipper fee is paid separately at the boat.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, but you may bring your own food onboard. Restaurants at the marina and islands, along with some delivery boats, may provide food and drinks.

Is drinking water provided?

Yes. Drinking water is included. Other drinks are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for use during the trip.

Is a paddleboard included?

Yes. A stand-up paddleboard is provided, along with swim noodles and life jackets.

Can I walk around one of the Lerins Islands?

Yes. The itinerary can include time to stroll around one of the islands, depending on the route, timing, and conditions.

Is the tour suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

The tour is not suitable for children under three years old or wheelchair users.