Private Boat Charter in the Bay of St Tropez

The best thing about this private Bay of St. Tropez boat charter is control. You are not packed onto a large sightseeing boat following a fixed script. With up to six people, you can spend more time swimming, try the paddleboards, ask for a faster ride, or simply sit back while Matt or Sirio handles the boat. The four-hour outing combines the famous port, quiet swimming spots, and Port Grimaud.

I like the generous water-sports kit, which includes paddleboards, wakeboards, waterskis, towable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids at no extra charge. I also like the group pricing: at $300.72 for up to six people, the base cost can be good value for a family or group. The main catch is the fuel surcharge, plus the €50 pickup fee if you do not depart from Marines de Cogolin.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: You get the whole boat and can shape the outing around your group.
• Water sports are included: Paddleboards, snorkels, wakeboards, waterskis, tubes, and buoyancy aids cost nothing extra to use.
• Fuel is billed separately: A €100 fuel deposit is collected before departure, with the balance adjusted afterward.
• Three pickup ports are possible: Depart from Marines de Cogolin at no extra charge, or pay €50 for pickup at St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud.
• The route mixes action and sightseeing: Expect the port of St. Tropez, swimming at Les Graniers and Canoubiers, and time at Port Grimaud.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a rescheduled trip or a full refund.

A private way to see the Bay of St. Tropez

The Bay of St. Tropez is best understood from the water. From shore, you see crowded beaches, villas, and a famous harbor. From a boat, you get a wider view of the coastline and can move between swimming spots without dealing with road traffic.

This charter is built for small groups who want both freedom and a skipper. You do not need to pilot the boat yourself. The captain takes care of navigation while you decide how active or relaxed the four hours should be.

That flexibility matters. One group might want a fast ride and a towable tube. Another might prefer a slow cruise, a swim, and a cold drink from the onboard coolbox. Families can mix the two, letting children try paddleboarding or tubing while adults enjoy the scenery.

The boat departs from Marines de Cogolin, the home port. Collection from St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud is available for €50, so check the departure point carefully before you book. The extra charge is per pickup arrangement, not something to overlook when comparing the total price.

What the $300.72 group price really gets you

The listed price is $300.72 per group of up to six people, not per person. That makes the arithmetic fairly attractive. Split six ways, the base price is about $50 per person before fuel and any optional pickup fee. Even with a smaller group, you are paying for a private boat rather than individual seats on a shared excursion.

The value improves if you plan to use the water-sports equipment. Paddleboards, snorkels, wakeboards, waterskis, inflatable tubes, and buoyancy aids are included. You do not need to rent each item separately, and the skipper can guide you through the activities.

Fuel is the variable cost. Before the trip, you pay a €100 fuel deposit. Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while high speeds and activities such as wakeboarding or towable inflatables use about €45 per hour. Stopping in bays uses no fuel. If the boat uses less than the deposit, the difference is returned after the trip. If it uses more, the shortfall is invoiced.

This system is fairer than hiding all fuel costs in the headline price, but you should budget for it. If you want an active afternoon with repeated high-speed runs, expect more fuel use. If you mainly want to anchor, swim, and cruise gently, the final fuel cost should be lower.

Food and drink are not included. Bring your own supplies for the coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are provided. You can also ask for a lunch reservation at Les Graniers restaurant, or stop in Port Grimaud for lunch, ice cream, or a beer.

Starting at the Port of Saint Tropez

The port is the first scheduled stop, with about 30 minutes to take in the quayside. This is the glamorous side of the bay, with superyachts, famous bars, and the visual drama that made St. Tropez a byword for Riviera style.

From the boat, you can look across the harbor without committing time to a long walk through town. That is useful if your main goal is the bay rather than shopping or museums. You get a short introduction to the port before moving toward the water activities.

The tradeoff is time. Four hours passes quickly, and a 30-minute harbor stop leaves limited room for a full visit on land. If you want to explore St. Tropez itself, treat this charter as a water-based outing, not a replacement for a town visit.

The captains add context along the way. Guests have particularly appreciated explanations about the history of St. Tropez and the places along the bay. Matt and Sirio are the two guide names associated with the outings, and the experience is designed around their role as both skippers and hosts.

Swimming and lunch at Plage des Graniers

The boat then heads to Plage des Graniers, where it anchors for roughly 30 minutes. This is a practical stop: you can swim or snorkel from the boat, or take a tender to the beach bar.

The beach setting gives you a choice that many boat trips do not. You can stay on board and keep the outing moving, or step ashore for a drink. A lunch reservation at Les Graniers restaurant can also be arranged if you request it.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick swim, but it is not a long beach break. If lunch is important to your group, ask about the reservation before the day begins and understand that a meal will use a sizable part of the four-hour charter.

I like this stop because it gives the group a clean break between sightseeing and sports. You can cool off in the water, grab a drink, and decide how active you want to be at the next bay.

An hour in Canoubiers Bay

Plage des Canoubiers, also called Baie de Canebiers or Millionaires Bay, receives the longest scheduled stop: about one hour. The boat moors here, giving you time for swimming, snorkeling, or paddleboarding around the boat.

This is likely to be the heart of the trip if your group wants to use the equipment. Paddleboarding is included, and buoyancy aids are available. The stop also works for less active passengers, since you can remain on board and enjoy the views while others get in the water.

Families may find this hour especially useful. The available kit lets children try several activities without the group having to arrange separate rentals. Past outings have included paddleboards, snorkeling, towable tubes, and other water activities for young children, with one family singling out the donut ride as a favorite moment.

The supplied information does not promise a particular water activity on every departure. That is important. Equipment is available, but the skipper will decide what is suitable based on conditions, safety, and your group’s wishes. Tell the crew what you want to try when you arrive so the time can be planned sensibly.

Port Grimaud, France’s canal town

The final major stop is Port Grimaud, a planned canal village often called the Little Venice of France. The boat takes you through the picturesque waterways, and you can get off to explore.

This stop changes the pace again. After swimming and water sports, you have the option to walk around, stop for an ice cream, or sit down for lunch or a beer. It is a good choice for anyone in the group who wants a land-based pause.

The scheduled time is about one hour. That gives you a taste of the village rather than a full, unhurried visit. If your group chooses lunch, the actual time available for the other stops will feel tighter, so agree on priorities before leaving the harbor.

Port Grimaud is also a useful pickup point, but departure from there costs €50. If you are already staying nearby, that fee may be worthwhile for convenience. If not, Marines de Cogolin is the included departure point.

How the water-sports setup works

The equipment list is unusually broad for a four-hour private charter. You can use:

• Stand-up paddleboards
• Snorkels
• Wakeboards
• Waterskis
• Inflatable towable tubes
• Buoyancy aids

The key advantage is choice. Your group does not have to commit to one activity, and you can shift from a quiet paddle to a faster towable ride. A skipper is present to provide guidance on the water sports, which is useful if not everyone has experience.

Still, do not assume all six people can use equipment at the same time. The boat has capacity for six passengers, but the exact timing of activities depends on the boat, the conditions, and the skipper’s instructions. The most enjoyable plan is usually to rotate between active passengers and those relaxing on board.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. Food and drinks are your responsibility, so pack what you want to place in the coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are supplied, which covers the basics but does not replace a proper lunch.

The skipper makes the difference

A private charter is only as good as the person running it. Here, Matt and Sirio are central to the experience. Their role is not limited to steering. They also explain the bay, adjust the route, and help the group choose between sightseeing, swimming, and sports.

The strongest pattern in the feedback is praise for their friendliness, flexibility, preparation, and attention to the group. That matters because a fixed route would not suit every party. A couple may want space to lie back and cruise, while a family with children may want paddleboards and a towable ride.

Sirio has been praised for showing families attractive spots and bringing out equipment so children could try snorkeling, paddleboarding, and tubing. Matt has been praised for arriving prepared with paddleboards and tubing equipment, and for adjusting pickup plans. These details suggest that communication at the start of the trip is worthwhile.

Tell the skipper your priorities early. Say if you want more time in the water, a faster ride, a beach stop, or a relaxed cruise. The charter is customizable, but the crew can only shape it well if you explain what your group actually wants.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a strong fit for a family or group of friends who can fill most or all of the six-person capacity. The per-group price makes the most sense when shared, and the private format means you do not have to compromise with strangers.

It is also well suited to groups with mixed interests. Some people can swim or paddle while others rest on the boat. The route includes enough sightseeing for someone who is not eager to try every sport.

Couples can enjoy it too. One couple described having plenty of room to relax and cruise, which points to a quieter side of the experience. But two people should compare the total price with shared boat options, since the group rate is designed to spread across several passengers.

This may not suit you if you want a long beach stay, a full lunch at each stop, or a detailed walking tour of St. Tropez and Port Grimaud. Four hours is enough for a lively sampler of the bay, not a full day at each location.

The activity requires good weather. Most people can participate, and the experience is near public transportation, but exact access details are not provided. Ask the operator if anyone in your group has specific mobility or medical needs.

Timing, pickup, and cancellation details

The charter lasts about four hours. The published route suggests 30 minutes at the Port of St. Tropez, 30 minutes at Les Graniers, one hour at Canoubiers, and one hour at Port Grimaud, with the remaining time used for cruising and moving between stops.

Departing from Marines de Cogolin is included. Pickup from St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud costs €50, and you need to name your preferred port when booking.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. If bad weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

The experience has a 5 rating from 58 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a strong record, especially for an outing where weather and sea conditions can affect the day. The practical lesson is simple: book with a little flexibility if your Riviera schedule allows it.

Should you book the St. Tropez private boat charter?

Book it if you want a flexible half-day on the water, especially if you have four to six people who will share the base price. The included sports equipment, private skipper, and choice of swimming or sightseeing give you more control than a standard harbor cruise.

I would be especially inclined to book for a family with children or a group with mixed energy levels. You can combine a harbor visit, a swim, a paddleboard session, a towable ride, and a canal-town stop without arranging several separate activities.

Think twice if you are watching every euro, since fuel is extra and the pickup fee can add another €50. Also think twice if your priority is extended time on land. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see the Bay of St. Tropez at your own pace, with enough action to keep the afternoon from feeling like a passive sightseeing ride.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the boat charter?

The boat is private for your group and can carry up to six passengers.

Where does the charter depart from?

The included departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin.

Can I depart from St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud?

Yes. Pickup from any of those ports is available for a €50 fee. You should specify the port when booking.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €100 fuel deposit is collected before the trip. Any unused amount is returned afterward, while additional fuel use can be invoiced.

What water-sports equipment is included?

The charter includes wakeboards, waterskis, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable towable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You should bring your own food and drinks for the coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.