Private sailing excursion & Provencal picnic

The best part of this Cannes outing is the chance to leave the busy waterfront behind and spend a slow day on the water with a private skipper. Maxime takes you from the Old Port toward the Lerins Islands, where you can swim, snorkel, walk on Sainte-Marguerite, and eat lunch aboard or at the dock.

I like the private format, since your group can shape the day around sailing, swimming, exploring, or simply sitting in the sun. I also like the homemade Provençal lunch, especially the vegetable spread with anchovy sauce and tzatziki, which gives the picnic more character than a standard packed meal.

The main consideration is weather and wind. If conditions are calm, you may spend more time motoring or swimming than sailing, and July and August bring more people to the islands. Seasickness medication and sunscreen are your responsibility.

Key points at a glance

• Private sailing with Maxime: Only your group joins the boat, and the skipper can adapt the outing to your interests and the conditions.
• One hour from Cannes to the islands: The trip begins at Esplanade Pantiero and leaves from the Old Port near Jetée Albert Edouard.
• Four hours around Sainte-Marguerite: Use the long island stop for swimming, snorkeling, a walk, lunch, and the free underwater eco-museum.
• A Provençal picnic with rosé: Expect vegetables, baguette, anchovy sauce, tzatziki, and a bottle of rosé for people over 18.
• Equipment is supplied: Snorkeling gear, a diving mask, and a bath towel are included.
• Five to six hours for $138.17 per person: The price makes the most sense if you value a private boat and a flexible, unhurried day.

Leaving Cannes from the Old Port

Your meeting point is Esplanade Pantiero on Promenade de la Pantiero, close to the Old Port of Cannes. The activity returns to this same meeting point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in Cannes or arriving by public transportation.

The first hour is the sail toward the Lerins Islands. This is not just a transfer. It gives you time to settle into the boat, look back at Cannes from the water, and get a feel for the pace of the outing.

Maxime is the skipper, and his relaxed teaching style is part of the appeal. If you are curious, he may show you how the boat works, explain basic sailing, or teach you a few knots. You do not need sailing experience, but the tour suits people who enjoy asking questions and taking part rather than sitting through a formal sightseeing talk.

The boat is called Mambo 2, according to the experience details shared by the operator and visitors. It is described as charming and well equipped for a full day outside. Still, remember that this is a sailing boat, not a large cruise vessel. Space, shade, and seating will be more limited than on a ferry or yacht with extensive facilities.

Four hours around Sainte-Marguerite Island

Sainte-Marguerite is the main stop, and the schedule allows roughly four hours around the island. That is enough time for a proper swim, a meal, a walk, and some time on land without turning the day into a rushed checklist.

You may picnic at anchor or at the dock, depending on the plan and conditions. Eating aboard keeps you close to the water and lets you continue enjoying the boat. Eating near the dock may suit you better if you want a break from the motion of the sea or prefer to walk around before lunch.

The island portion is flexible. You can spend much of it in the water, explore a creek or cove, or walk on the island. Several outings have included more than one swim, and the skipper has adjusted the timing to suit the group. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the exact rhythm of the day is not fixed in the way a large scheduled cruise would be.

For the clearest water and a quieter feel, an earlier or less crowded period may be preferable. In July and August, the island and its swimming spots are busier. The operator specifically warns that high-season traffic around the sites will be higher, so do not expect a private beach experience during the busiest summer weeks.

Swimming and the underwater eco-museum

The swimming stops are a major reason to book this activity. Snorkeling equipment, a diving mask, and a bath towel are included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or arrange rental gear separately.

The free underwater eco-museum behind Sainte-Marguerite adds an unusual reason to get in the water. You have the opportunity to visit it with the supplied masks. It is not presented as a long guided underwater tour, so treat it as a self-directed water activity rather than a museum visit with a formal lecture.

You should be comfortable in the sea and able to manage a moderate level of physical activity. The experience includes boarding, moving around a boat, swimming, snorkeling, and possibly walking on the island. The details do not promise flotation support or a dedicated swimming instructor, so be honest with yourself about your comfort in open water.

Bring sunscreen. It is the one basic beach item specifically not included, and a long day on reflective water can catch you out even when the breeze feels cool. The boat supplies a towel, but you should still pack any personal swimwear, medication, or other items you need for the day.

A Provençal lunch with a personal touch

Lunch is more than a box of generic snacks. The meal includes vegetables served with anchovy sauce and tzatziki, along with bread or baguette as described in the experience details. Maxime has also prepared the anchovy dip and tzatziki himself, giving the picnic a home-cooked feel.

The anchovy sauce is worth noting before you book. It adds a salty, savory flavor, so it will appeal most if you enjoy Mediterranean ingredients. The tzatziki offers a cooler contrast. You can also request vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free arrangements, which is useful for a private outing where food can be discussed in advance.

A bottle of rosé is included for people over 18. It suits the leisurely mood, but it is not the only beverage consideration. If you do not drink alcohol, have a dietary need, or want something specific, clarify the arrangements when booking rather than assuming the picnic includes every type of drink.

The lunch has received especially strong praise, along with the swimming and Maxime’s easygoing approach. I see the food as a real value point because it turns the excursion into a full day out rather than a boat ride that leaves you searching for lunch afterward.

How private scheduling changes the day

A private activity is very different from a group boat trip. You are not sharing the schedule with a busload of strangers, and Maxime can respond to what your group wants to do. You might focus on learning the basics of sailing, spend extra time swimming, walk around the island, or settle into a quiet lunch with rosé.

The flexibility has limits. Wind and sea conditions decide how much actual sailing is possible. One outing had less wind, so the group spent more time swimming than sailing. That is not a fault with the skipper, but it is an important expectation to set: you are booking a day on the Mediterranean, not a guaranteed sailing lesson under perfect conditions.

The published duration is approximately five to six hours. The planned structure is about one hour sailing out and four hours around Sainte-Marguerite, with the remaining time shaped by boarding, return sailing, and conditions. A longer day has occasionally been offered, but you should not count on extra time when planning connections or evening reservations.

The price and what you are really buying

At $138.17 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Lerins Islands. Public boat transport would likely cost less, but it would not provide a private skipper, a flexible timetable, onboard lunch, supplied snorkeling equipment, or the same chance to learn about sailing.

The value improves as your group size grows, since the experience is private and the price is listed per person. Couples, families, and small groups who want a calm day without coordinating several separate bookings may find the price reasonable. Solo visitors should think more carefully about the cost, although one solo outing was described as a particularly good way to spend a day.

I would book this for the experience, not simply for transportation to Sainte-Marguerite. If your main goal is to reach the island as cheaply as possible and spend all day walking on land, a public ferry may suit you better. If your ideal day includes swimming, a relaxed meal, a little sailing instruction, and plenty of time on the water, the private format earns its premium.

The very high rating, with a 5 out of 5 score and 100 percent recommendation rate from 44 reviews, fits the strongest parts of the activity: Maxime’s friendly manner, the flexible plan, the food, and the water time. Those strengths are most useful for people who prefer personal attention over a rigid sightseeing program.

Who will enjoy this Cannes excursion

I would recommend it to couples, friends, families with suitable swimming ability, and solo visitors who want a personal day outside Cannes. It also works well for a birthday or a special occasion, since the private boat gives Maxime room to make the outing feel personal.

It suits first-time sailors because Maxime can explain the basics and answer questions. You can be involved without needing previous experience. It also suits experienced swimmers who want to use the mask and explore the water around Sainte-Marguerite.

You may want to choose another activity if you dislike boats, suffer badly from seasickness, or need a highly predictable schedule. The operator advises bringing your own seasickness medication, and weather can change the plan. People seeking a large, stable vessel with many onboard facilities should also look elsewhere.

Dietary needs are manageable because vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests are welcomed. You should still communicate those needs ahead of time. The meal includes anchovy-based sauce, so a vegetarian or vegan lunch should be confirmed rather than assumed from the general picnic description.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided at booking. The meeting point is Esplanade Pantiero, Promenade de la Pantiero, 06400 Cannes, and the outing ends back there. The location is near public transportation, but you should allow enough time to find the exact waterfront departure point.

The activity requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number is not met, you will receive the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Book at least a few weeks ahead if possible. The experience is booked about 48 days in advance on average, which suggests that popular dates can disappear well before your arrival in Cannes. High season is especially worth planning early.

Should you book the private sailing excursion?

Book it if you want Cannes from the water, value a private skipper, and like the idea of letting the day develop around swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and island time. Maxime’s patient instruction, homemade sauces, flexible planning, and the supplied equipment give the outing more substance than a simple cruise.

Skip it if you want a bargain ferry ride, guaranteed strong sailing conditions, or a tightly timed sightseeing program. The best version of this experience depends on suitable weather and your willingness to accept a slower, flexible day.

For me, the strongest reason to choose it is the balance between personal service and unhurried Mediterranean time. You get a boat, an island, a swim, a meal, and a capable skipper without having to organize each part yourself.

FAQ

Where does the sailing excursion start and finish?

It starts at Esplanade Pantiero, Promenade de la Pantiero, 06400 Cannes, near the Old Port. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately five to six hours. The plan includes about one hour sailing from Cannes and about four hours around Sainte-Marguerite Island.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a diving mask, and a bath towel are included.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes vegetables with anchovy sauce and tzatziki. A bottle of rosé is included for people over 18. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dietary requirements are welcomed.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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