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

The best part of this four-hour outing is simple: you get the Mediterranean on your own terms. Micka takes up to six people from Cannes toward the Lérins Islands, stopping in clear coves for snorkeling, swimming, and stand-up paddleboarding. I like the private format, and I like that the day is not just a boat ride. You have gear, drinks, snacks, and time to enjoy the water.

Micka is frequently praised for his warm manner, clear English, careful attention, and willingness to adjust the pace. The boat is described as clean and spacious for groups of four or fewer, with an underwater scooter and music adding fun for older children and teenagers. The main caution is the extra €300 skipper fee, paid onboard, and the fact that sea conditions and water temperature can affect how much time you want to spend swimming.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to six: Your group does not share the boat with strangers.
• Four hours on the Mediterranean: The time includes Cannes views, several island stops, and swimming breaks.
• Water equipment included: Snorkels, masks, a stand-up paddleboard, and an underwater scooter are provided.
• Micka sets a relaxed tone: He can adjust the pace, suggest calmer water, and communicate in English.
• Food and drinks are part of the outing: Expect water, soda, wine, and snacks, with charcuterie mentioned as a popular touch.
• Budget for the skipper fee: The advertised group price does not include the additional €300 fee paid on the boat.

Why this private Cannes boat trip works so well

Cannes is best known for movie stars, grand hotels, and the Croisette. From shore, it can feel polished and busy. From the water, the city changes character. You see the famous boulevard, beach hotels, and bright shoreline from a quieter angle, then leave the city behind for the rocky coves of the Lérins Islands.

That change of scene is the real value here. You can spend the morning or afternoon moving between swimming spots instead of sitting on a fixed sightseeing boat. If you want to swim longer, you can. If you prefer to sit with a drink and take photos, you can do that too.

Micka is a major part of the experience. He has been praised for prompt communication, safety-conscious driving, and a friendly manner that helps families and couples settle in quickly. He has also adjusted departure times when wind made an afternoon trip less appealing. That sort of practical flexibility matters on the Riviera, where a beautiful day can still have choppy water.

The private setup also makes this a good choice for a small family or a group of friends. A family of five can share the boat, and a couple can enjoy a more personal half-day without paying for a large charter. Just read the price carefully. The listed rate is $120.94 per group of up to six, but the €300 skipper fee is separate. Confirm the full cost before you commit, since the added fee changes the value calculation.

Leaving from Port Pierre Canto

The meeting point is Port Pierre Canto, at the eastern end of the Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes. The activity returns to the same place. It is near public transportation, though you should allow time to reach the port and find the exact departure spot.

The port location is useful because the boat can get moving quickly toward the islands. You are not spending half the trip crossing a large harbor. The opening 30 minutes are also a gentle introduction to Cannes from the sea, with views along the coast and the Croisette.

If your schedule is tied to a cruise ship, check the pickup details carefully before booking. One booking had to be moved because of port works, creating confusion over a different pickup point. The operator offered cancellation or help with the short taxi ride, but the experience shows why you should confirm the exact meeting place close to departure.

Snorkeling and paddleboarding near the Lérins Islands

The first water stop focuses on the coves around the Lérins Islands. You can use the supplied masks and snorkels to look below the surface, then try the stand-up paddleboard in a sheltered natural setting.

The equipment makes this more than a scenic cruise. The snorkel sets are described as suitable for looking below the surface, and the underwater scooter adds another bit of play for confident swimmers. Teenagers in particular may enjoy having several ways to use the water rather than simply jumping in and out.

The sea is not always tropical. In August, the water has been described as wonderfully warm, but in May and early June some people found it chilly. One experience took place with water around 22 degrees Celsius, which is comfortable for some swimmers and too cool for others. Pack a towel and a light layer, and do not book this trip if your main goal is warm-water swimming alone.

The coves are also subject to wind and boat traffic. A weekday can be a smart choice. One Tuesday outing had only a handful of other boats nearby, while the preceding Saturday had seen many more. You will have a quieter time early in the week than during a crowded summer weekend.

An aperitif beside the underwater museum

The Lérins Islands stop lasts about an hour and combines swimming with a pause for drinks and snacks. The setting is the kind of place where a simple glass of wine feels like part of the sightseeing, not an interruption to it.

The underwater museum is a distinctive feature. You can see the submerged sculptures while snorkeling in the turquoise water, then return to the boat for water, soda, wine, and snacks. Several people especially appreciated the cheese or charcuterie board, so this is more substantial than being handed a packet of crisps.

The underwater museum gives the stop a little more purpose than a standard swim break. Still, visibility depends on weather, water conditions, and how comfortable you are using a mask. You should think of it as a pleasant added feature, not a guaranteed major museum visit.

Sainte-Marguerite and a quiet cove

The boat then heads toward Île Sainte-Marguerite, the larger and better-known of the two main Lérins Islands. The stop is centered on a cove where the boat anchors for another hour of swimming.

This is a good point in the trip to settle into your own rhythm. You might snorkel, use the paddleboard, try the underwater scooter, or remain aboard with a drink. The captain can look for calmer water when conditions allow. That matters if you are sensitive to motion or simply want an easier swim.

The experience is strongest for people who enjoy unstructured time. You are not being marched from one sight to the next. The tradeoff is that there is no promise of a detailed shore visit on Sainte-Marguerite. The emphasis is the sea and the cove, not a long guided walk on land.

Saint-Honorat and the island atmosphere

The fourth stop is Île Saint-Honorat, sometimes called the island of monks. The boat description refers to it as the majestic Île aux Moines, and the stop gives you a view of the quieter, more pastoral side of the Lérins group.

You may be dropped off on the island for a visit, depending on the plan for the day. One outing included time ashore, with a stop at the island shop for olive oil. That detail hints at what makes Saint-Honorat different from a pure swimming stop: it offers a slower, more grounded break from the water.

The exact balance between going ashore and remaining on the boat can depend on sea conditions and timing. Ask Micka at the start if Saint-Honorat is a priority for you. Four hours passes quickly once swimming and several stops are included.

Following the Croisette from the sea

The final portion follows the Boulevard de la Croisette from the water. You see the famous avenue, palaces, beaches, and waterfront from a completely different angle.

This is especially useful if you are new to Cannes. The Croisette can feel like a line of hotels and shops when you walk it. From the boat, the buildings form a grand coastal panorama, and the view helps explain Cannes as a resort city.

It is also a calm way to end the outing. After several swims and water activities, you can sit back, take photographs, and enjoy the ride back to Port Pierre Canto. Sunset departures have been especially memorable for some groups, although the standard trip is described as approximately four hours rather than as a dedicated sunset cruise.

What is included, and what you really pay

The outing includes fuel, snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboarding, an underwater scooter, wine, water, soda, and snacks. Those inclusions matter because separate rentals can quickly make a short boat trip expensive. You do not need to arrange a snorkel shop or bring your own paddleboard.

The listed cost is $120.94 per group of up to six, but the €300 skipper fee is not included. Treat the total as the group rate plus that additional fee, then divide it among your party. For six people, the added skipper cost is easier to absorb. For two people, it is a much more expensive half-day.

This is why the trip offers better value for a full small group than for a couple. A private boat, flexible stops, fuel, equipment, and refreshments can be a good deal when split six ways. For two people, compare the full cost against a shared cruise before booking.

The boat has been described as immaculate, spacious, and comfortable for four people. The information does not give a boat model or exact seating plan, so ask if you need a particular arrangement. Children under three are not accepted, and most other people can participate, but you should be comfortable around open water and able to take part in basic boat activities.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip for:

• Families with children over three who want several water activities
• Couples seeking a private half-day on the Riviera
• Friends who want music, wine, snacks, and swimming without a large group
• Confident swimmers interested in snorkeling and the underwater scooter
• Anyone who values a relaxed captain who can change the pace

I would be more cautious if you dislike swimming, get motion sick easily, or expect tropical water. One person who did not want to snorkel, paddleboard, or swim found there was little else to do beyond sitting on the boat. That is a fair warning. The boat is the setting, but the water is the main event.

If you are prone to motion sickness, tell Micka before leaving. He has taken a group toward calmer water when someone began feeling unwell. That cannot control the sea, but it is a useful sign of the attentive service this trip aims to provide.

Practical timing and weather advice

The experience lasts about four hours, but the time is divided among several stops. You get roughly 30 minutes around Cannes, about an hour near the Lérins Islands, an hour at Sainte-Marguerite, an hour around Saint-Honorat, and another 30 minutes along the Croisette.

Wind can affect the route and comfort. The operator has contacted groups in advance when conditions suggested that a morning departure would be better than an afternoon one. If your schedule permits, keep some flexibility around the booking.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can take another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book this boat trip?

Book it if you want the Lérins Islands as an active half-day rather than a distant view from a ferry. The combination of private space, flexible swimming stops, snorkel gear, paddleboarding, an underwater scooter, and snacks gives the outing more variety than a simple coastal ride.

I would especially recommend it to a group of four to six, since the €300 skipper fee becomes easier to share. Pick a weekday if possible, confirm the port, and ask about the water conditions before setting out.

Skip it if nobody in your group wants to swim or if you expect a formal island tour with extensive history and guaranteed warm water. For the right group, though, this is one of the more personal ways to experience Cannes, the Lérins Islands, and the Mediterranean in a single morning or afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The meeting point is Port Pierre Canto, Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Port Pierre Canto.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private booking is for up to six people, and only your group participates.

Is the skipper fee included in the listed price?

No. A €300 skipper fee is paid onboard for each booking.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and an underwater scooter are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The experience includes wine, water, soda, and snacks.

Are young children allowed?

Children under three years old are not accepted. Most other people can participate.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.