15 Tours in Cannes to Build a Day Around

1.Round-Trip Ferry to Ste. Marguerite Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,747 reviews · from $24Our pick

Take a 15-minute ferry from Cannes to Sainte-Marguerite Island, then explore at your own pace. Walk pine and eucalyptus trails, spot birds at Batéguier Pond, visit Fort Royal and its Maritime Museum, or swim near the underwater eco museum. Your ticket covers transport only, so bring water, food, and walking shoes.

“I recommend this boat trip to this beautiful island! We loved it! On the island they have both a nice restaurant and a café with ice cream. Go to the other side of the island to enjoy a small private beach away from all the people.”

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2.2.5-Hour Esterel Calanques Boat Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 808 reviews · from $88

Join a small-group Black Tenders trip from Cannes for 2.5 hours along the Esterel coast. Your local captain, such as Stephane, Damian, or Julian, guides the boat past red volcanic cliffs, sea caves, Maison Lacoste, and the Bubble Palace, with swimming or snorkeling stops when conditions allow. Expect jockey-style seats, bottled water, and a lively ride.

“Fantastic experience, really informative and great fun. Loved the fact we had the opportunity to swim as well. The guide was brilliant, really friendly”

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3.Departure from Saint-Raphaël – The creeks of Estérel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 570 reviews · from $63Top rated

From Saint-Raphaël’s Santa Lucia port, you’ll cruise the red cliffs of Cap Dramont, Île d’Or, and the Anthéor coves aboard a boat limited to 12 people. Guides including Nico, Benoit, and Emilien explain the coast in French and English, with time to swim and snorkel before a fast, scenic return.

“Un moment au top avec des belle découverte et un super guide . Un retour au port incroyablement bien”

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4.Half-Day Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 445 reviews · 3 hours · from $98

Spend an afternoon sailing from Cannes aboard a modern catamaran with French and English crew. After a short ferry ride to Île Sainte-Marguerite, swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard from the boat, weather permitting. Water and masks are included, while food, towels, and cash for drinks are your responsibility.

“This was absolutely perfect! The scenery was amazing, there was plenty of equipment for everyone, and they even had snacks at the end. I would do this again and again.”

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5.Fréjus: Sea and Creeks Boat Tour with Snorkeling and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 315 reviews · from $63

Cruise from Fréjus toward Cap Dramont and Agay Bay aboard a fast, distinctive boat. Your French- and English-speaking crew points out volcanic cliffs, caves, and secluded coves, then anchors for swimming and snorkeling. Lauren is praised for clear English explanations, and Jacques for his friendly driving. Drinks, insurance, and snorkel gear are included.

“amazing! loved every second of it! also a big thank you to the boat driver, Jacques, a very lovely, sweet and friendly man:) highly recommended”

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6.Saint-Raphaël: Golden Island Afternoon Cruise with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 315 reviews · 4 hours · from $88

Join the crew at Saint-Raphaël’s Old Port for a four-hour catamaran cruise along the Estérel Massif. You’ll pass Cap Dramont and Agay Bay, stop near Cap Roux for paddleboarding and swimming, then return via Calanque des Contrebandiers and Île d’Or. French and English guidance, drinks, an aperitif, snacks, and water toys are included.

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7.Ferry from Cannes to St Tropez

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $104

Take a round-trip ferry from Quai Laubeuf in Cannes to St Tropez, with about a day to explore independently. Enjoy Riviera views, indoor and outdoor seating, restrooms, and a small cash-only bar. There is no guide, hotel transfer, or meal included, so plan your own visit around the port, citadel, museums, shops, and beaches.

“Pretty new, very clean and comfortable boat. Would be great that smoking would be prohibited on the top deck, now all non-smokers have to breath that smoke...”

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8.Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 214 reviews · 4 hours · from $135

Board a large catamaran at Cannes Old Port for a four-hour sail toward the Lérins Islands. Swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard when conditions allow, then enjoy a cold buffet and rosé. The boat returns you via St. Marguerite Island and a ferry, so bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash for extra drinks.

“The boat was beautiful!! Surprisingly there were not a lot of people on the boat so that was nice. They provided light morning snacks once we got on the boat like water, orange juice and pastries. We stopped for swimming, kayaking and paddle out boarding for some time. Lunch was okay. If they are going to provide a cold lunch it might be best to have something like sandwiches with the sides they had. Instead it was cold chicken. They also provided fruit and pear/apple tart for dessert. Little did I know that I wasn’t going back on the same boat. We made a stop at St. Marguerite Island. Those…”

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9.Ferry from Cannes to the island Ste Marguerite

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 207 reviews · 15 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Take a short round-trip ferry from Quai St Pierre in Cannes to Sainte-Marguerite Island. Explore at your own pace, walk forest trails, swim and snorkel, visit Fort Royal and its museum, or watch birds at Batéguier Lake. Bring food, water, cash, and good shoes, especially outside the summer season.

“Great mini trip from Cannes. The boat ride was enjoyable. The views were incredible. The old fort was interesting as well as the museum. Enjoyed walking the trails to the beach.”

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10.Calanques and red rocks – Departure Saint Raphaël

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · from $78

Set out from Quai Albert 1er in Saint-Raphaël for a 2.5-hour speedboat trip along the Esterel massif. Expect red-rock coves, caves, photo stops, swimming, snorkeling, and a lively ride home. Guides including Cédric, Christophe, Karim, Frank, and Alex have led outings, though English explanations can vary.

“Tres beau site.calanque et eau turquoise.coucher du soleil au top.guide super sympa ! Excursion au top!”

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11.Catamaran from Cannes

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 195 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $109

Spend three hours or a full day on a catamaran from Cannes, cruising toward the Lérins Islands and, on the longer option, the Esterel coast. Swim from the boat, use kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear, or relax on deck. Optional lunch includes a buffet and one drink. Bring cash for bar purchases.

“The catamaran was clean and classy, IMO. Lunch was better than I expected based on prior reviews. I purchased the half day with lunch for the 7 of us and rode the ferry back, but it was crowded and hot and so for that reason, I would recommend the full day trip, which brings you back on the same catamaran.”

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12.Cannes, Antibes & Saint-Paul-de-Vence Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 188 reviews · 7 hours - 450 minutes · from $108

Travel by air-conditioned eight-seat minivan from Nice or Villefranche-sur-Mer to Cannes, Antibes, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. You’ll see the Croisette and Film Festival Palace, explore Antibes’ old town and harbor, then walk Saint-Paul’s medieval lanes. Guides such as Victor, Alex, Julien, and Xavier have been praised for friendly, lively commentary.

“Peggy was a fantastic guide and we would recommend her in a heartbeat. From France and was so knowledgeable”

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13.Saint-Raphaël : Sunset Cruise Cape Dramont & Golden Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 179 reviews · 2 hours · from $81

Join a French and English speaking crew aboard a maxi-catamaran from Saint-Raphaël’s Old Port. Cruise past Cap Dramont and the red rocks of the Estérel, anchor near Île d’Or, enjoy punch, soft drinks, snacks, music, and optional paddleboards, then return under the last light.

“Moment privilégié, chill entre apéritif, musique, panorama, et explications touristiques. Bonne dose d'humour et petite baignade. Un équipage au top et un retour en mode discothèque spécial années 80, on adore ♥️😎🌅”

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14.Yacht Me Up – Private All-Inclusive Cannes Sailing Fever

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 175 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Captain Brice and Ansel take your private group of up to six aboard a Dufour 382 from Cannes. Expect a 3.5-hour cruise past La Croisette and the Lérins Islands, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, a SeaBob, snacks, drinks, music, and a GoPro. Summer fireworks cruises are also available.

“I don’t typically leave reviews, but this was one of the best times we’ve had while traveling. Captain Brice and Ansel are so much fun and were so kind our family. My kids loved the SeaBob and snorkeling. They were able to see the underwater sculptures and tons of fish. The spot we went to had the bluest, clearest water I have ever seen. It was incredibly relaxing and the boat has plenty of space for everyone. The food was fantastic and they filled up our wine and champagne all day. I would come back to Cannes just to do this again.”

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15.Sea excursion – Estérel Massif by boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 159 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

From Port du Béal in Cannes, Black Tenders takes you across Mandelieu Bay and along Théoule-sur-Mer to the Estérel Massif. Expect a 2.5-hour ride for up to 12 people, commentary in English, views of Château de la Napoule and Port la Galère, plus a possible swim near a cave. Bring your own snorkel.

“Nice big boat for our family with a sympathetic captain. We enjoyed the wonderful landscape and the swim a lot and the speedy trip home was great fun!”

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