Private Boat Charter in the Bay of St Tropez

St Tropez Bay is best seen from the water, where you can slip past superyachts, stop in quiet coves, and set your own pace. This private charter gives your group four hours with a skipper, rather than placing you on a fixed sightseeing boat with strangers. Matt and Sirio are the named skippers praised for friendly service, clear explanations, and good judgment about the day’s activities.

I like the freedom to switch from gentle cruising to paddleboarding, snorkeling, or a towable ride. I also like the value for a full group: at $300.72 for up to six, the base cost works out to about $50 per person before fuel and extras. The main drawback is that the final bill is not fully fixed, since fuel is charged separately and can rise with fast cruising or watersports.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: Your group has the boat and skipper to itself, with no fixed public-tour schedule.
• Four hours on St Tropez Bay: The route can include St Tropez Port, Graniers, Canoubiers, and Port Grimaud.
• Water gear is included: Paddleboards, wakeboards, waterskis, towable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids are available at no extra charge.
• Fuel is separate: A €100 fuel deposit is collected before departure, with any unused amount returned afterward.
• Departures are flexible: The normal departure point is Marines de Cogolin. Pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud costs €50.
• Bring your own food and drinks: Ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox are provided.

Why a private charter works well in St Tropez Bay

This is not a formal sightseeing cruise with a speech and a fixed route. It is closer to hiring a local boat and skipper for half a day, then deciding how active or relaxed you want to be.

That matters in St Tropez Bay. One person in your group may want to swim, another may want to try a paddleboard, and someone else may prefer to sit back with a drink and watch the coast. On a shared boat, those wishes can clash. Here, the skipper can adjust the timing and activities around your group.

The boat is described as tidy, comfortable, and suited to both quick runs and easy cruising. It is not presented as a luxury yacht, so you should book it for the access and flexibility rather than for elaborate onboard service. The strongest appeal is having room to move, space to relax, and a skipper who handles the boat while you enjoy the bay.

The price is $300.72 per group of up to six. Fill all six places and the base price is about $50.12 per person. For two people, the same price becomes much less attractive, although one detailed account still praised the boat’s space and the privacy it offered.

Keep the extra costs in mind. Fuel is not included, and the operator takes a €100 deposit before departure. Gentle cruising is estimated at about €15 per hour, while high speeds and towable sports can use around €45 per hour. Stopping in bays uses no fuel. That makes the final cost partly dependent on how much time you spend moving quickly or pulling a tube.

Starting at Marines de Cogolin

The standard departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin. This is useful if you are staying near Cogolin or already have a car or other transport to the marina.

You can also arrange collection from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud. The added cost is €50, and you need to request the alternative departure point when booking. Confirming this early is important, since the normal starting point is not St Tropez itself.

The ticket is mobile, and booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The activity is private, so only your own group participates. Most people can take part, and the departure point is near public transportation, though the supplied information does not specify exact connections.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and any food or drinks you want for the boat. The operator supplies a coolbox, ice, water, and glasses, but food and other drinks are your responsibility. If you want lunch at Les Graniers restaurant, the operator can arrange a reservation.

St Tropez Port and the opening view

The first stop is Port de Saint Tropez, with about 30 minutes to look around the harbor. This is the classic St Tropez scene: superyachts, polished quays, and famous bars lining the waterfront.

From a boat, you get a different view than you do from the streets. You can take in the harbor without spending time searching for a table or weaving through the quayside. It is a short stop, so think of it as an orientation and photo opportunity rather than a full visit to town.

The harbor can feel showy and expensive, which is part of its character. If you want a long meal, shopping time, or a proper walk through St Tropez, four hours on the water will not leave room for much of that. This charter is better for seeing the famous waterfront as one part of a broader bay outing.

The skipper can also add context about the area. One account praised Matt for explaining the sights and history of St Tropez, while another credited Sirio with giving useful guidance about the places visited and the water sports. The level of commentary may vary by skipper, but the service is clearly meant to be more personal than a basic boat transfer.

Swimming at Plage des Graniers

The boat then heads toward Plage des Graniers, where you can anchor for roughly 30 minutes. This is your chance to swim or snorkel from the boat, rather than simply look at the beach from the shore.

If you prefer to eat on land, you can use the tender boat to reach the beach bar. The operator can also book lunch at Les Graniers restaurant. That option gives you a more structured break, but it will use much of the limited four-hour schedule. If swimming and watersports are your priority, staying with the boat gives you more time in the water.

Snorkeling conditions can depend on the day and the weather. The charter includes snorkels and buoyancy aids, which means you do not need to bring your own kit. Still, this is a coastal swim stop, not a specialist snorkeling trip, so you should set your expectations accordingly.

Canoubiers, also called Millionaires Bay

The longest water stop is at Plage des Canoubiers, also described as Baie des Canebiers or Millionaires Bay. The boat moors for about an hour, giving you more time to use the equipment and settle into the setting.

This is likely the best part of the route if your goal is water time. You can swim around the boat, snorkel, or use a stand up paddleboard. The equipment list also includes wakeboards, waterskis, inflatable towables, and buoyancy aids, so the skipper can shape the stop around your group’s comfort and interest.

Families may appreciate the range of options. Younger children can stay close to the boat with appropriate buoyancy equipment, while stronger swimmers can spend more time in the water. The supplied accounts describe children trying paddleboards, snorkeling, and a towable tube, with one family calling the tube ride a favorite moment.

You should tell the skipper what you want early in the trip. If everyone waits until the final hour to request a towable ride, there may not be enough time. Fast activities also use more fuel, so the sports you choose affect both the schedule and the final charge.

Port Grimaud and the Little Venice comparison

The final major stop is Port Grimaud, a canal village often called the Little Venice of France. You can go ashore for a walk, an ice cream, a beer, or lunch.

This stop adds variety. After open water, beaches, and swimming, you get a chance to stretch your legs and see the waterways from land. The canals and village setting offer a change from the polished harbor of St Tropez and the beach stops earlier in the trip.

The tradeoff is time. Port Grimaud is listed as a one-hour visit, and that hour includes both getting off the boat and exploring. If your group wants maximum time for snorkeling or towable sports, you may prefer to keep the stop short. If you are traveling with people who want a land break, it is a useful part of the route.

The exact balance is one of the reasons to choose a private charter. You are not locked into giving every stop equal attention. Your skipper can help you decide how much time to spend at the port, in the bays, or cruising along the coast.

Water sports without separate rental fees

The included equipment is one of the strongest practical features. You can use stand up paddleboards, wakeboards, waterskis, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids without paying a separate rental fee.

That is valuable because individual rentals around a busy resort area can add up quickly. It also saves you from arranging several different activities. The boat becomes your base, and you can change activities without returning to a beach rental hut.

The phrase at no extra charge does not mean every activity is automatically suitable for every person. You will need to follow the skipper’s instructions and use the buoyancy aids provided. The information confirms that most people can participate, but it does not provide specific age, swimming, or medical requirements.

If your group wants wakeboarding or waterskiing, ask about the timing at the start. These activities require more boat movement than swimming or paddleboarding and can increase fuel use. If your group prefers a quieter day, simply cruise, anchor, and use the snorkels or boards at your own pace.

How the fuel charge changes the value

The base price is attractive for a full group, but you should not treat $300.72 as the complete cost. The operator collects a €100 fuel deposit before the trip, then calculates the actual fuel use afterward. Any unused amount is returned, while any shortfall is invoiced at the end.

The supplied estimates make the system fairly clear. Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while high speeds, heavy loads, wakeboarding, and towable inflatables use about €45 per hour. Anchoring in the bays uses no fuel.

For a relaxed four-hour outing, the fuel cost may be modest. A sports-heavy trip can cost more. This arrangement is fairer than hiding fuel in a high flat rate, but it does mean you should leave room in your budget.

The €50 pickup fee is another cost to weigh. If you are already near Marines de Cogolin, use the standard departure. If you are staying in St Tropez and value door-to-boat convenience, the fee may be worthwhile, especially for a full group sharing it.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would choose this for a family or group of friends who want both activity and downtime. The boat can handle a mixed day: one person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay seated and enjoy the views.

It also suits people who dislike rigid group tours. The private format lets you request more swimming, more cruising, or a longer stop in Port Grimaud. Matt and Sirio are both praised by name for being attentive, flexible, and good with families, though your actual skipper will depend on the schedule.

Couples can enjoy it too, especially if privacy matters more than price. Still, two people pay the same group rate, so the financial value improves sharply when you bring four to six passengers.

This is less suitable if you want a full day at St Tropez, a formal historical tour, or a guaranteed gourmet lunch. It is also not ideal if you want every cost known in advance, since fuel depends on your choices and the final amount is settled afterward.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff uses local time.

The tour is often booked about 27 days ahead, so advance planning makes sense during the busy season. At booking, state your preferred departure port, especially if you want pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud rather than Marines de Cogolin.

Should you book the St Tropez Bay charter?

Book it if you have a group of up to six and want a flexible half-day with swimming, boards, snorkeling, and a few well-known coastal stops. The included gear, private boat, and choice of skipper-led activities give it real value when the boat is full.

Before booking, agree on your group’s priorities. If half the group wants towable sports and the other half wants a quiet cruise, tell Matt or Sirio at the start so the four hours are used well. Bring your own drinks and food, plan for the separate fuel charge, and remember that Port Grimaud or lunch at Graniers will reduce water time.

For a relaxed look at St Tropez Bay with plenty of choice, this is an easy recommendation. The best reason to book is not the standard route itself, but the freedom to make the route fit your group.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The private charter is for up to six passengers.

Where does the boat normally depart?

The normal departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin.

Can I depart from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud?

Yes. Pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud is available for an extra €50. You should request the preferred port when booking.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €100 fuel deposit is collected before the trip. Any unused amount is returned, and any extra fuel cost is invoiced afterward.

What water sports equipment is provided?

The included equipment consists of wakeboards, waterskis, stand up paddleboards, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You should bring your own food and drinks. The operator provides a coolbox, ice, water, and glasses.

Can the boat stop at Les Graniers restaurant?

Yes. A lunch reservation at Les Graniers restaurant can be arranged. You can also use the tender boat to reach the beach bar.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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