Discover the Lérins Islands and the Bay of Cannes by Private Boat

The best part of this private Cannes boat trip is the freedom to shape the day around your group. Micka takes you from Port Pierre Canto toward the Lérins Islands, where you can swim, snorkel, use a stand-up paddleboard, try the underwater scooter, or simply enjoy the sea and views.

I like the personal pace and the unusually broad mix of water activities. I also like the small touches, such as wine, soft drinks, water, and snacks, which turn a basic boat ride into a relaxed half-day outing. The main consideration is cost: the advertised price is $120.94 per group, but a separate €300 skipper fee is paid on the boat, so you must calculate the real total before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: Your group has the boat and skipper to itself, with no strangers sharing the day.
• Four hours around two islands: The route includes Île Sainte-Marguerite, Île Saint-Honorat, nearby coves, and views of Cannes.
• Water fun is built in: Snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, and an underwater scooter are included.
• Micka sets a friendly, flexible tone: He can adjust the pace, stops, and activity level to suit your group.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect water, soda, wine, and snacks, with several parties especially enjoying the rosé and cheese or charcuterie-style spread.
• Weather and sea temperature matter: The trip depends on good weather, and the Mediterranean may feel cool outside the height of summer.

Setting off from Port Pierre Canto

Your meeting point is Port Pierre Canto, at the eastern end of Cannes’ famous Croisette. The activity returns to the same place after about four hours, making it easy to fit into a day in Cannes if you plan your timing carefully.

The boat trip is private, and the group limit is six people. That number works well for a family, two couples, or a small group of friends. You get room to talk with Micka, decide how long to stay in the water, and avoid the fixed rhythm of a large sightseeing cruise.

The advertised booking price is $120.94 per group, but do not stop your calculation there. A €300 skipper fee is listed as an extra charge, paid on the boat per booking. In practical terms, that fee can make this a good value for six people, but a much less attractive deal for only two or three. Check the full price and currency conversion before you commit.

Micka, also referred to as Michael in guest communications, is a key part of the experience. He speaks English, communicates clearly, and has been praised for being warm, attentive, and willing to adjust plans. He has also changed departure timing when wind made an afternoon trip less appealing, which is the sort of practical judgment you want on the Mediterranean.

The Cannes shoreline from the water

The first part of the outing gives you a different view of Cannes. Instead of walking the Croisette at street level, you see its grand hotels and famous avenue from the sea.

This is a good reminder that the trip is not only about swimming. The boat adds a second view of Cannes, one that gives you the city, hills, shoreline, and islands in a single frame. Bring a camera or phone in a waterproof pouch if photographs matter to you. The water and sun can be unforgiving to electronics.

The boat then heads toward quieter coves around the Lérins Islands. The published timing gives about 30 minutes for this opening section, though the exact order and length of stops may shift with wind, sea conditions, and your group’s preferences.

Île Sainte-Marguerite and the first swim

Île Sainte-Marguerite is the larger and more wooded of the two main Lérins Islands, but this boat outing focuses on its coves and surrounding water rather than a long land visit. The boat drops anchor in a sheltered cove for about an hour, giving you time to swim and explore from the boat.

This is where the included equipment becomes useful. You receive snorkeling gear, and the water around the islands can offer a clear look below the surface. You may also use the paddleboard or underwater scooter, depending on conditions and your comfort in the water.

The scooter is a nice extra for teenagers and active adults. It gives you another way to move around the anchorage without turning the stop into a formal lesson. The paddleboard is more versatile. You can stand and paddle, sit on it, or use it as a floating rest platform between swims.

Do not assume the water will feel warm. A May outing was described as having chilly water, while an August trip had much warmer conditions. One early June trip had water around 22 degrees Celsius, which is comfortable for many swimmers but not comparable to tropical sea temperatures. If you are sensitive to cold water, pack a light cover-up and keep your expectations realistic.

The cove stop also works for people who prefer a slower day. You can swim as much or as little as you like, sit on the boat, and enjoy the view. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private outing instead of a tightly scheduled group cruise.

The Lérins Islands underwater museum

The Lérins Islands portion includes time in turquoise water and a visit to the underwater museum area. You experience it from the water, using the snorkeling equipment while swimming among fish and viewing the submerged works.

This is not a conventional museum visit. There are no galleries, signs, or dry rooms. The attraction depends on your comfort in the sea, water clarity, and your willingness to put your face underwater. If you enjoy snorkeling, it adds a clear sense of purpose to the swim rather than leaving you to look at open water alone.

The stop lasts about an hour. Micka’s relaxed approach is useful here because groups rarely agree on the perfect amount of time in the water. Strong swimmers can spend longer looking below the surface, while others can stay near the boat and enjoy the setting.

The islands are also a pleasant place for the included aperitif. Wine, water, soda, and snacks are provided. Several visitors particularly enjoyed the rosé with cheese or a charcuterie-style board. Treat this as a light boat snack, not a full meal, and tell Micka about any dietary needs before departure if that is important to you.

Île Saint-Honorat and the quieter island stop

The route continues to Île Saint-Honorat, described as the majestic Île aux Moines. The scheduled time here is about an hour, giving the trip a change of pace after the swimming stops.

The information provided does not promise a full guided island walk, so ask Micka how much time you will spend ashore and what the current plan is. One group was dropped at Saint-Honorat and visited the island, even buying olive oil there. That suggests this stop can offer more than a quick look from the boat, but the exact arrangement may depend on the day and sea conditions.

This island stop is especially useful if your group includes someone who does not want four straight hours of water activities. You get a chance to stretch your legs and see a different side of the Lérins Islands. At the same time, do not book this expecting a long cultural tour with a detailed formal commentary. The main focus remains the boat, the coves, and time at sea.

Following the Croisette back to Cannes

The return follows the Croisette from the water for about 30 minutes. It is a calm way to close the outing and puts the high-energy swimming and paddleboarding into perspective.

From the boat, Cannes’ famous avenue takes on a different character. You see the waterfront hotels and polished shoreline from a lower, wider angle, with the islands behind you. If you have already walked the Croisette, this gives you a fresh view. If you have not, it helps you get your bearings before exploring the city on foot.

The boat returns to Port Pierre Canto, the starting point. Make sure your booking confirmation gives the same pickup location you expect. One past booking involved a change from a cruise ship marina because of major works, creating extra taxi trouble. The issue appears to have been unusual, but it is still wise to confirm the port shortly before your trip, especially if you are arriving from a cruise ship.

What the private format really adds

A private boat is worth paying for when your group values control. You can decide if the outing feels sporty, social, quiet, or mixed. Micka has adjusted the pace for families, couples, teenagers, and people who wanted to swim only briefly.

The private setting also helps with comfort. You do not need to keep up with a boatload of strangers, and you can ask to move to calmer water if you begin to feel seasick. That flexibility helped one person who became motion sick and appreciated a change in the route.

The boat has been described as clean, spacious, and in excellent condition, with four people fitting comfortably. The listed capacity is six. For six adults, space may feel more limited once everyone has snorkeling gear, drinks, and personal bags, but the format is still more intimate than a standard shared cruise.

Micka’s attention to safety is another plus. The experience includes active water time, so a skipper who watches conditions and keeps the mood calm matters more than flashy commentary. You should still be comfortable around open water and follow his instructions.

How busy can the islands feel?

The Lérins Islands are not guaranteed to be empty. One useful tip is to book a weekday if your schedule allows. A Tuesday outing was described as having only a handful of other boats in the area, while the preceding Saturday had far more.

That difference can change the mood. On a quieter weekday, you may have an easier time finding a pleasant anchorage and feel less hemmed in by boat traffic. On weekends and at the height of summer, expect more activity around popular swimming areas.

The trip still has a social Mediterranean feel on the water, rather than promising complete solitude. If your ideal day means a deserted cove with no other boat in sight, this may not always deliver. If you want a private base for swimming, snacks, and island views, it is a stronger match.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend this outing to people who want an active half-day but do not want to plan every detail themselves. Families with older children and teenagers are a particularly good fit because the paddleboard, snorkeling equipment, and underwater scooter offer several ways to stay occupied.

It also suits couples who want a private setting and a slower pace. The wine and snacks make the boat feel festive without requiring a full lunch service. Several outings were described as favorite days of a longer French Riviera trip, which makes sense if you want one memorable break from city sightseeing.

This is less suitable for children under three, who are not accepted. It may also disappoint anyone who does not swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or enjoy sitting on a boat. One unhappy outing showed the problem clearly: cold water and little interest in the available activities left the passenger feeling there was not enough to do.

That is not a fault the skipper can fully solve. The heart of this experience is being on the water. If you want a museum-heavy or food-focused tour, choose something else.

Practical advice before you book

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light layer for the ride. A waterproof phone case is sensible, and secure your belongings because a boat deck is not a dry hotel room.

Plan around the weather. The activity requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. Wind may also affect the route, the anchorage, and the order of the stops.

Try to book at least a few weeks ahead. The experience has recently averaged about 50 days between booking and departure, so popular summer dates may disappear early. If you have flexibility, ask about a weekday and consider a morning departure when wind is forecast later in the day.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Less than 24 hours before departure, the payment is not refunded and changes are not accepted. Cutoff times use local time in Cannes.

The tour is offered in English and confirmation arrives at booking. Port Pierre Canto is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the outing still involves boat movement, swimming, and getting in and out of the water. If anyone in your group has mobility or medical concerns, ask for details before paying.

Is the full price good value?

The value depends heavily on group size. For six people, the cost is spread across a private boat, skipper, fuel, equipment, drinks, snacks, and four hours of access to the islands. That can compare well with several separate tickets or a shorter private charter.

For two people, the €300 skipper charge changes the calculation. You are paying for privacy and flexibility, not simply transportation between Cannes and the islands. I would book it for a special day, a family celebration, or a group that plans to use the water equipment often. I would think twice if your main goal is a quick scenic ride.

The included fuel is helpful because it removes one common charter surprise. The snorkeling equipment, paddleboard, and underwater scooter also mean you do not need to arrange activities separately. The snacks and wine are modest additions, but they matter because they keep you from having to rush back to shore.

Should you book the Lérins Islands boat trip?

Yes, if you want a private, flexible day on the Mediterranean and your group is happy to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or relax on the boat. Micka’s personal service, clean boat, attention to safety, and willingness to adjust for weather are strong reasons to choose this particular outing.

Book with care if you are traveling in May or early June, dislike cool water, need a cruise-port pickup, or are traveling with only two people and watching the budget. Confirm the port, ask about the €300 skipper fee, and choose a weekday if possible.

For the right group, this is one of the more satisfying ways to see Cannes. You get the city from the sea, two distinctive islands, an underwater museum, useful water gear, and enough free time to make the day your own.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start and end?

The trip starts at Port Pierre Canto, Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The boat outing lasts about four hours. The planned stops include Cannes, the Lérins Islands, Île Sainte-Marguerite, Île Saint-Honorat, and the Croisette.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for one group of up to six people. Only your group participates.

What is included in the price?

The listed inclusions are fuel, snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddling, an underwater scooter, water, soda, wine, and snacks. A €300 skipper fee per booking is paid separately on the boat.

Are children allowed?

Children under three years old are not accepted. Most other participants can take part, though the outing involves boat travel and water activities.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.