Private Boat Charter including Water Sports in Bay of St Tropez

The best part of this St Tropez boat trip is the freedom. You get a private boat for up to six people, then spend the day choosing between swimming in quiet bays, cruising past waterfront sights, or trying water sports. Captain Sirio is one of the named hosts, and the trip can be shaped around your group rather than a fixed public-tour schedule.

I like the free use of water equipment, especially since wakeboards, waterskis, paddleboards, towable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids can quickly add to the cost elsewhere. I also like the chance to bring your own food and drinks, keep them in the boat’s coolbox, and stop where the day feels best. The main drawback is the fuel charge: the advertised $145 price does not include fuel, and active water sports can use about €40 per hour.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six people: Your group gets the boat to itself, with room to adjust the pace and route.
• Marines de Cogolin departure: Departing from the home port avoids the extra €50 collection fee charged for St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud.
• Water sports included: Paddleboards, wakeboards, waterskis, towable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids are available at no extra charge.
• Classic St Tropez stops: The route can include the port, Plage des Graniers, Plage des Canoubiers, and Port Grimaud.
• Fuel is separate: A €150 fuel deposit is collected before departure, with the balance refunded or invoiced after the trip.
• Good for active groups: The experience suits families and friends who want swimming and sports, not just a scenic cruise.

A private way to see St Tropez Bay

A private charter changes the feel of a day on the French Riviera. Instead of boarding with a large group and following a rigid timetable, you can ask the captain to adjust the outing to your interests. Spend more time swimming, cut a stop short, pause for lunch, or use the boat as a base for water sports.

The trip lasts about six hours, although the stated time on the water is around four hours. That difference likely covers departure, return, movement between stops, and time spent getting equipment ready. I would treat this as a half-day boat outing with several stops, not six uninterrupted hours of swimming and wakeboarding.

The boat departs from Marines de Cogolin. That port is the simplest choice because it is the home departure point and does not carry the extra €50 collection fee. You can also arrange pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud for an additional €50, but you need to request that when booking.

This is a private activity, so only your own group participates. That matters if you are traveling with children, relatives, or friends who do not all want the same kind of day. One person can snorkel while another uses the paddleboard, and the group does not have to match the pace of strangers.

What the $145 price really includes

The advertised price is $145 for a group of up to six people. That can be good value if you fill the boat, since the base cost works out to roughly $24 per person before fuel and any other spending. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly, but the privacy and included equipment still add value.

The important catch is fuel. You pay a €150 fuel deposit before the trip. If the boat uses less than that, the difference is returned after the outing. If fuel use exceeds the deposit, the shortfall is invoiced at the end.

Your driving style has a direct effect on the final cost. Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while high speeds, heavy loads, wakeboarding, and towable sports use roughly €40 per hour. Stopping in bays uses no fuel. If you want to control the bill, spend more time anchored and less time making repeated high-speed runs.

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own supplies and place them in the boat’s coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are provided, which makes a picnic lunch or a simple supply of fruit and sandwiches easy to manage. You can also stop at a beach restaurant or at Port Grimaud for lunch, an ice cream, or a beer, but those purchases are yours to pay for.

Starting at the Port of Saint Tropez

The first suggested stop is the Port of Saint Tropez, where you can look at the superyachts and the famous bars along the quayside. It is a short stop of about 30 minutes, so think of it as a quick look from the water rather than a full visit to town.

This is a useful opening stop because it gives you the famous St Tropez scene without committing the whole morning to walking the port. You can see the waterfront from a different angle, take photos, and get a feel for the contrast between the old port setting and the large private yachts.

The drawback is time. Half an hour passes quickly, especially if the group wants to go ashore. If your main goal is shopping, cafés, or exploring the streets of St Tropez, tell the captain early. The charter is customizable, so you may be able to alter the balance between port time and swimming time.

Swimming and snorkeling at Plage des Graniers

The boat then heads into the bay at Plage des Graniers. This is where the outing shifts from sightseeing to leisure. You can anchor for a swim or snorkel, using the supplied masks and buoyancy aids.

The stop is planned for about an hour. That gives you enough time to get into the water, try the gear, and relax without rushing straight back aboard. If some members of your group prefer not to swim, they can stay on the boat while others use the water.

There is also an unusual option here. You can signal a tender boat connected with the beachside restaurant, and it can collect you and take you to the beach bar. A restaurant table can also be booked if you want to eat on shore. This adds a social option, but it may reduce the time available for snorkeling and other sports.

I would decide before the trip if this stop is mainly for swimming or lunch. Trying to do both during a one-hour window could feel hurried. Bringing food for the coolbox gives you more control, while the beach restaurant offers a change of scene if your group wants an easy shore break.

Millionaires Bay and the water-sports hour

Plage des Canoubiers, also called Baie de Canebiers or Millionaires Bay, is another one-hour stop. The boat moors here, giving you a base for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding around the vessel.

This is also the place to make good use of the included equipment. You can try a stand-up paddleboard, use a wakeboard or waterskis, or take a ride on an inflatable towable tube. Buoyancy aids are available, which is useful for less confident swimmers and for anyone using the towable equipment.

The activity level depends on your group. One family might spend the hour calmly swimming and paddling, while another could turn it into a full sports session. A previous outing included waterskiing, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and tubing in the same day, so the equipment is not merely decorative.

The fuel warning matters most here. Towing a tube or running wakeboarding sessions uses much more fuel than sitting at anchor. If the group wants repeated high-speed activities, expect a larger final fuel charge. If you want a calmer and cheaper trip, choose one or two sports and leave plenty of time for swimming.

The bay also has a personal connection to St Tropez culture, since you can see the home of one of the area’s famous residents. The details of that sight are not specified, so I would treat it as an added point of interest rather than the main reason to book.

Port Grimaud, the Little Venice of France

The final listed stop is Port Grimaud, a canal-lined village often called the Little Venice of France. Unlike the swimming bays, this stop gives you the chance to leave the boat and explore on foot.

You have about an hour to walk around, stop for lunch, or buy an ice cream or beer. That makes Port Grimaud a useful contrast to the rest of the day. After several hours around the water, a short shore visit lets you stretch your legs and see the canals from land.

The one-hour limit means you should keep your plans simple. It is enough for a brief look and a casual refreshment stop, but not a long meal followed by extensive exploration. If your group wants a proper lunch, ask how that will affect the schedule before settling in.

Port Grimaud also works well as a flexible final stop. You can make it the relaxed end of the charter, or ask to spend more time at one of the bays instead. The captain can recommend local favorites, but you should bring your own priorities to the discussion.

Water sports for mixed-age groups

The equipment list is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter. You can use wakeboards, waterskis, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids without paying a separate rental fee.

That range helps if your group has different ideas about fun. Strong swimmers can try the faster activities, while others can paddle or float. Someone who wants a quiet hour can remain aboard or swim near the boat.

You should still expect a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity includes getting in and out of the water, swimming, balancing on a paddleboard, and possibly being towed behind the boat. The trip is not described as suitable only for athletes, but it is not a passive sightseeing cruise either.

The two strongest group examples include water skiing, tubing, rafting, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and sightseeing. One family of six used several of these options in one day, while another group described rafting, water skiing, and paddleboarding as the highlights. That suggests the charter works best when you plan to use the boat actively.

Captain support and how much control you have

The captain is central to the experience. You can research your own stops ahead of time or ask the captain for local suggestions. That is helpful if you know the general mood you want but do not know the bay well enough to plan every anchorage.

Sirio is named as a host, and his role includes helping the group make the most of the day. The available feedback points to a friendly, experienced approach and strong attention to making the outing enjoyable. I would still tell the captain clearly if your priorities are sports, quiet swimming, lunch, sightseeing, or a mix.

A private charter gives you more control, but it does not mean every plan is guaranteed. Weather, water conditions, fuel use, and the time required to move between stops can affect the day. The listed route is best understood as a suggested plan, not a promise that every group will spend exactly the same time at every place.

Who should book this boat trip

I would choose this outing for a group of friends or a family of up to six that wants both scenery and activity. It is particularly well suited to people who would rather swim, snorkel, paddle, or waterski than spend a full day sitting on a boat.

It also makes sense for families who want privacy. A child who tires of swimming can rest on board, while older children or adults try the towable tube. The private format avoids the awkwardness of sharing a fixed schedule with a large mixed group.

I would be more cautious if your ideal day is a long, slow cruise with no fuel-related decisions. High-speed sports can raise the final cost, and the base price does not cover meals or drinks. You also need good weather, and the activity requires moderate physical fitness.

For a group of six, the $145 base rate is attractive, even after accounting for fuel. For two people, it is more of a special-occasion splurge. The value improves when you use the included sports equipment and bring your own picnic supplies.

Booking, pickup, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is available with a mobile ticket. The meeting point is Marines de Cogolin, which is also near public transportation.

If you want pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud, request it at booking and expect an additional €50 charge. Do not assume that transfer is included in the $145 price.

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book this private charter?

Book it if you want St Tropez Bay on your own terms and your group will actually use the water-sports gear. The combination of a private boat, flexible stops, free equipment, and space for six gives the trip real value, especially for a full group.

Before paying, budget for the fuel deposit and possible final fuel charge. Choose Marines de Cogolin if you want to avoid the extra pickup fee, bring food for the coolbox, and tell the captain whether your priority is sports, swimming, sightseeing, or lunch.

I would skip it only if you want a guaranteed fixed route, a fully inclusive price, or a quiet cruise with no physical activity. For an active family or friend group that wants port views, bays, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a little speed, this is a strong way to spend a half-day on the Riviera.

FAQ

How long does the private boat charter last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. The stated time spent on the water is about four hours, with the remaining time likely used for departure, return, and movement between stops.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The price covers a private group of up to six passengers.

Where does the boat depart from?

The normal departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin.

Can the boat collect me from St Tropez?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud for an extra €50. You must request the alternative departure point when booking.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €150 fuel deposit is collected before the trip. Any unused amount is returned after the outing, while any shortfall is invoiced at the end.

How much fuel does the boat use?

Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour. High speeds, heavy loads, wakeboarding, and towable sports use about €40 per hour. The boat uses no fuel while stopped in bays.

Is water-sports equipment included?

Yes. The boat provides wakeboards, waterskis, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids at no extra charge.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You may bring your own food and drinks for the coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are provided.

Does the charter visit Port Grimaud?

Port Grimaud is a planned stop, with about one hour to explore, eat lunch, or stop for an ice cream or beer.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.