Cannes: Lérins Islands Private Boat Tour

The best part of this Cannes excursion is the quick change of scene. Within a short boat ride, the Croisette gives way to the clear water and pine-covered shores of the Lérins Islands. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply stretch out on deck with a glass of rosé.

I like the private boat format, which gives your group room to set the pace, and I like the warm, informal hosting reported from skippers Micka and Michael. The cheese and cracker board, wine, water, and soft drinks make this feel more like a relaxed half-day on the Riviera than a basic transport trip.

The main thing to consider is cost. The advertised price is $672 for up to five people, but the €200 skipper fee is extra, and leaving from Port Canto costs another €50. This is best value when you fill the boat and want privacy rather than the lowest possible fare.

Key points to know before you book

• Clear water around two islands: Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat provide the main setting for swimming, snorkeling, and shore visits.
• A private Beneteau speedboat: The Flyer 7.7 SunDeck gives your group its own boat, with fuel, snorkeling gear, and a stand-up paddleboard included.
• Skippers Micka and Michael: Both are praised for friendly hosting, clear communication, safe handling, and good local guidance.
• Food and drinks are part of the day: Expect wine, water, soda, and a snack board with items such as cheese and crackers.
• Four hours goes quickly: The schedule includes Cannes views, two island stops, swimming time, and a return cruise.
• Check the real total: Add the €200 skipper fee, plus €50 if you choose Port Canto instead of the main Cannes marina meeting point.

Leaving Cannes behind by speedboat

You meet at Port de Cannes Marina, at the Capitainerie. The meeting instructions point you to a staircase on the left just before you reach the harbor master’s office, so allow a few extra minutes to find the exact access point.

Once aboard the Beneteau Flyer 7.7 SunDeck, the trip begins with a cruise along Cannes. This first half-hour gives you a different view of the city, especially the sweep of La Croisette and the bay seen from offshore. From the water, Cannes feels less like a place of red carpets and designer shops and more like a coastal city framed by hills and open sea.

A speedboat is useful here. You cover the distance to the islands quickly, leaving more of the four-hour outing for swimming and time ashore. The trade-off is that a speedboat is not a quiet sailboat. You should expect movement, spray, and wind, especially while cruising between stops.

The boat is private for your group, which makes a real difference. You can talk with your skipper, choose when to swim, and settle into the deck without sharing the day with a large crowd. The exact balance between cruising, swimming, and shore time can be shaped around your group, although the published schedule gives each main stop roughly an hour.

Sainte-Marguerite Island and its clear water

The first island stop includes about an hour of cruising and snorkeling around the Lérins Islands, followed by a separate hour at Sainte-Marguerite Island. The island is the practical centerpiece for anyone booking this trip mainly for the sea.

The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, making this the time to use the supplied snorkeling equipment. You can look for marine life close to the boat, swim in sheltered coves, or use the stand-up paddleboard to reach spots that are easier to see from the surface.

I like that the activity does not force you into one type of recreation. If you are an active swimmer, you can make the most of the snorkeling and paddleboard. If you would rather rest, the deck and coves offer a slower option. Families with older children can split up naturally, with some swimming while others stay aboard.

The equipment is included, but you should still bring your own sunglasses, sun hat, and sunscreen. The supplier specifically says the trip is not suitable for children under three or for people with mobility impairments. The boat and water activities also make this a better fit for people comfortable stepping aboard and moving around a marine setting.

The mention of underwater museums adds another point of interest. Ask your skipper how the underwater museum sites fit into the day, since the stated program focuses on snorkeling and coves rather than promising a separate museum visit on every departure. That small check can help you set the right expectations.

Saint-Honorat for a change of pace

The itinerary allows about an hour for a visit to Saint-Honorat Island. This provides a useful break from the water. After cruising and snorkeling, you can walk ashore and enjoy the island at a slower pace before returning to the boat.

The supplied details do not specify which parts of the island you will visit or how much walking is involved, so I would ask the skipper about the plan if the shore visit is especially important to you. The experience is built around the islands, coves, and sea rather than a formal guided history tour.

That distinction matters. If you want a full cultural tour with long explanations at every stop, this is probably not the right product. If you want a relaxed mix of swimming, a little island time, and views from the water, Saint-Honorat helps break up the outing.

The two island visits also give you more variety than a simple swim stop. Sainte-Marguerite is tied closely to the water activities, while Saint-Honorat is presented as a place to visit. The result is a half-day with movement rather than four hours spent anchored in one cove.

A private boat makes the price easier to judge

The base price is $672 per group of up to five people. That means the per-person cost changes sharply depending on the size of your party. At five people, the base price works out to about $134 per person before the skipper fee. At two people, the same private boat becomes a much more expensive outing per person.

You also need to add the €200 skipper fee, paid aboard the boat. If you prefer to leave from Port Canto on Boulevard de la Croisette, there is an additional €50 charge. The standard meeting point is Port de Cannes Marina, so confirm the departure location and total before you commit.

Fuel, snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddle use, wine, water, soda, and snacks are included. That matters because the day is not built around a bare boat transfer. You are paying for a private outing with basic refreshments and activities already arranged.

For a group of friends or a family of five, the price can make sense, particularly if you value privacy and flexible time in the water. It is less convincing for one or two people who simply want a short look at the islands. In that case, a shared boat could cost less, though it would not provide the same control over the day.

The private format also has a social value. You can choose how much time to spend swimming or relaxing, and you do not need to match the pace of strangers. Several people who sailed with Micka or Michael particularly appreciated having the boat to themselves and being able to use the day as they pleased.

Wine, snacks, and the easygoing side of the trip

The food service is simple, but it fits the setting. You receive wine, water, soda, and snacks, with a cheese and cracker board specifically highlighted in the experience details. Some outings included rosé and multiple bottles of wine, but you should not assume the exact quantity will be the same on every departure.

This is not a full lunch cruise. Think of the food as an aperitif, useful between swims and island visits. If you need a substantial meal, eat beforehand or bring appropriate provisions after checking what is allowed aboard.

I like this part because it gives the cruise a natural rhythm. Swim, dry off on deck, take a drink, share a few snacks, then head toward the next cove or island. It also suits people in your group who are less interested in snorkeling but still want a pleasant day on the water.

The skippers are a major part of that atmosphere. Micka is praised for conversation, hospitality, and taking families to good swimming spots. Michael is described as communicative before the trip, punctual at pickup, helpful with boat directions, and attentive during the cruise. These details matter on a private activity because your skipper shapes the entire day.

French and English are available. If you want local information about the islands, ask questions as you cruise. The trip is not presented as a formal lecture, but the skipper can help you understand where you are and make practical choices about swimming and paddling.

The final cruise past La Croisette

The return includes about 30 minutes at La Croisette before arriving back at the Cannes marina. This closing stretch brings the trip full circle, from the city to the islands and back again.

The bay looks particularly good from the sea, and the return cruise gives you one last chance to take in Cannes without the traffic and pavement of the waterfront. If you are staying in Cannes, this is also a pleasant way to see the famous shoreline from a new angle.

Because the full outing lasts four hours, the schedule is active. The published plan allocates roughly 30 minutes to the Cannes cruise, an hour around the Lérins Islands, an hour at Sainte-Marguerite, an hour at Saint-Honorat, and another 30 minutes around La Croisette. That leaves little room for long delays or an extended island walk.

If your priority is swimming, tell the skipper early. If your priority is seeing both islands, keep an eye on the clock. A private boat gives you flexibility, but not unlimited time, and four hours passes quickly once you include departure and return cruising.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This trip suits a small group that wants a private day on the water without arranging a boat independently. Families with children older than three can enjoy the mix of swimming and paddleboarding, while couples and groups of friends may prefer the privacy and relaxed drinks aboard.

It is especially good for people who want several activities in one outing:

• A speedboat ride from Cannes
• Snorkeling equipment and clear-water swimming
• Stand-up paddleboarding
• Time in coves
• Visits to Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat
• Wine, soft drinks, and snacks
• Views of Cannes from offshore

It is not ideal if you dislike boats, need step-free access, or want a long historical tour of the islands. The activity is also less attractive for a solo visitor or small pair because the fixed group price makes the cost per person high.

Bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and a towel, even though only sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen are specifically listed. That is practical preparation for a day built around swimming and time on deck.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Check the available starting times before booking because the departure schedule varies.

Should you book the Lérins Islands boat tour?

Book it if you have a group of up to five, want a private boat, and see swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and island time as the main event. The strongest reasons are the flexible format, the clear water around the islands, and the personal service associated with Micka and Michael.

Before booking, calculate the full price with the €200 skipper fee and any Port Canto supplement. If that total works for your group, this is a polished and easy way to trade Cannes pavement for a few hours of open water, sheltered coves, and simple Mediterranean pleasures.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Port de Cannes Marina, at the Capitainerie. Just before reaching the harbor master’s office, look for a staircase on the left.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Port de Cannes Marina.

How long is the experience?

The boat tour lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What islands does the tour visit?

The program includes the Lérins Islands, Sainte-Marguerite Island, and Saint-Honorat Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the activity price.

Is stand-up paddleboarding included?

Yes. Use of a stand-up paddleboard is included.

Are food and drinks provided?

Yes. Wine, water, soda, and snacks are included. The snack offering includes an aperitif board, with cheese and crackers described as part of the onboard service.

Is the skipper fee included?

No. A €200 skipper fee must be paid on the boat.

Can children join the tour?

Children under three are not permitted. The activity is also listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.