Cannes: Private Sailing Boat Tour to the Lérins Islands

Clear water, calm sailing, and a fine lunch await. This private Cannes boat trip takes you from the old port to the Lérins Islands aboard Georgette, a modern 15-meter sailboat named best yacht of the year in 2022. I especially like the easy city-center departure and the freedom to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply stretch out in the sun.

I also like the warm, attentive hosting from Hubert, whose care with food and family groups earned especially strong praise. The main catch is the extra €350 skipper fee, payable on site, which is not included in the advertised group price.

Five things to know before you book

• Georgette is a 15-meter, award-winning sailboat: You get a polished private-boat setting rather than a crowded excursion vessel.
• The Lérins Islands are the main event: Most of the time is set aside for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, photographs, and relaxing at anchor.
• Hubert adds a personal touch: His hosting includes careful attention to children, food, drinks, and water activities.
• The Provençal aperitif is part of the pleasure: Expect rosé, tapenade, soft drinks, and local foods, with some packages offering a light lunch.
• The skipper costs extra: Budget €350 per trip in addition to the booking price, and pay this amount on site.

Leaving Cannes from the old port

Your meeting point is at the entrance barrier to Cannes port, at Esplanade Pantiero. This is a handy location in the city center, so you do not need a long transfer to reach the boat. Private hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though, so you need to make your own way to the port.

After you board, you settle in and receive a short safety briefing. This is the right moment to ask about the day’s route, swimming stop, food arrangements, and how much sailing you can expect. The plan can shift with the weather and your preferences, which is useful on the Riviera, where a calm day may call for more sailing and a breezier one may favor a quicker motor-assisted route.

The boat is called Georgette, a 15-meter sailboat described as the best sailboat of 2022. That detail matters less as a trophy than as a clue about the setting: you are paying for a modern private boat with room for a small group, not a basic harbor ride.

The experience is private for your group, with space for up to eight people. That makes the outing especially appealing for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration. You can talk normally, choose your own pace, and avoid being tied to the mood of a large mixed group.

The scenic run toward the Lérins Islands

The outward trip takes about an hour in the published schedule. You may sail under canvas, travel by motor, or use a combination of both, depending on wind and conditions. The route gives you a different view of Cannes, with the city behind you and open water ahead.

I like this part because it keeps the trip from feeling like a simple transfer to a swim stop. You have time to settle into the rhythm of the boat and enjoy the coast from the water. The appeal is not speed. It is the slow change from the port, with its urban setting, to the quieter island waters.

The Lérins Islands sit just offshore from Cannes and are the focus of the day. The exact cove used for anchoring can depend on weather and the skipper’s judgment, so you should not expect one fixed beach stop every time. The flexible routing is useful, but it also means the final plan is not entirely predictable.

If you are hoping for a full day under sail, ask about the expected sailing time when you confirm your booking. The boat can sail or motor, and the listed duration varies from 210 minutes to five hours, while the detailed schedule describes roughly one hour out, four hours around the islands, and one hour back. That difference is worth clarifying before you pay.

Four hours around the Lérins Islands

Once the boat anchors, the trip changes pace. The central block of the outing is free time in or beside the water. You can swim, snorkel, use the stand-up paddleboard, take photographs, or stay aboard with a drink and enjoy the sun.

The water is described as crystal clear, and the setting is made for an easygoing Riviera afternoon. The boat provides snorkeling gear and paddleboarding, so you do not need to pack your own equipment. You should bring beachwear, a towel, a hat, and biodegradable sunscreen.

The snorkeling is recreational rather than a guided marine excursion. You are given the equipment and time to explore at your own pace. The family of four who sailed with Hubert particularly enjoyed seeing fish while snorkeling, along with paddleboarding in the clear water. That makes this a good fit for people who want water activities without a formal lesson or demanding route.

Swimming is likely the simplest choice for most people. You can jump in, cool off, and climb back aboard when you wish. If some members of your group do not want to swim, they can remain on deck, eat, drink, and watch the others from the boat.

Paddleboarding adds a little more activity without turning the day into a workout. It is a good option for children and adults who want to move around but do not want to spend the whole outing snorkeling. The boat’s equipment is included, but the supplied details do not say how many boards or sets of gear are available, so larger groups may want to ask in advance.

You also have time for photographs. The island setting, boat, and turquoise water provide the sort of backdrop that makes a private charter appealing. One group of seven women even received a drone video of their day. That is a particularly nice extra when available, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every booking because it is not listed among the standard inclusions.

A Provençal aperitif with Hubert

Food and drink are a real part of this outing, not an afterthought. The standard inclusions list water, soft drinks, Provence rosé, snacks, and an aperitif. Depending on the package you choose, the food may be snacks, a light lunch, or an aperitif.

The supplied details mention tapenade and local products, while individual outings included cold meats, cheeses, fruit, pastries, and generous pours of local rosé. Hubert was also praised for preparing delicious tapenades and for making sure children had plenty of soft drinks. That gives you a useful sense of the hosting style: relaxed, attentive, and generous rather than formal.

I would confirm exactly which food package you are buying before departure. The phrase depending on the package matters. You should not assume that a full lunch is included if you have selected an aperitif option.

The food works well with the setting. After swimming, a platter of local products and a chilled drink can be more satisfying than a restaurant stop. You stay on the boat, keep your view, and avoid losing an hour to getting ashore and back.

The alcohol policy deserves ordinary good judgment. Rosé is included, but you are still on a boat and may be swimming afterward. Drink lightly, use sunscreen, and keep water close by. Soft drinks and water are included, which makes the setup easier for mixed-age groups.

The return route along Cannes beaches

The return to Cannes is not necessarily a repeat of the outward journey. Depending on conditions and your preferences, the boat may sail along the coast or pass near surrounding beaches before heading back to the old port.

That flexibility is one of the better features of a private charter. If you want more time under sail, you can ask about it. If the group has had enough sun and prefers a direct return, the skipper can shape the route around the day’s conditions and your interests.

The detailed timing gives about an hour for the return leg. You arrive back at Esplanade Pantiero, the same central port area where you met the boat. Since the experience ends in town, it is easy to continue with dinner or an evening walk in Cannes without arranging another transfer.

Keep in mind that sailing times are affected by wind. The phrase sail or motor is practical and honest: you are booking time on a sailboat, not a guarantee that every mile will be traveled under sail.

What the $1,356 group price really buys

The advertised price is $1,356 for a private group of up to eight. At full capacity, that works out to about $170 per person before the mandatory skipper fee. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly, so the value is strongest when you can fill most of the available places.

The price includes the private boat, fuel, port fees, final cleaning, snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboarding, water, soft drinks, Provence rosé, and the selected food arrangement. Those inclusions remove several costs that can appear separately on a boat day.

The key extra cost is the certified professional skipper, required for the trip and charged at €350 per outing. This amount is paid on site and is not included in the platform price. Add it to your group budget before comparing this charter with a shared boat tour.

For eight people, the total can make sense if you value privacy, a modern boat, flexible pacing, and a generous food and drink setup. For two or three people, a shared excursion may be cheaper, even though it will not offer the same control over the route or atmosphere.

The private format also has practical value. You can choose how long to swim, decide who uses the paddleboard, and avoid waiting for strangers to return from the water. Families may appreciate the freedom most, especially since Hubert has been praised for being attentive and family-friendly.

Who will enjoy Georgette most

This trip suits you best if you want a relaxed day on the water rather than a tightly programmed sightseeing cruise. It works particularly well for:

• Families wanting swimming and paddleboarding without a large crowd
• Friends sharing the cost of a private boat
• Small groups celebrating a holiday or special occasion
• Visitors who enjoy food, rosé, and long periods at anchor
• Swimmers and casual snorkelers who want equipment provided
• People who prefer a private setting to a scheduled group outing

You should think twice if your priority is a fully guided island tour on land. The experience centers on the sea, the boat, and free time in a cove. It also may not suit anyone using a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Non-folding strollers are not allowed, and unaccompanied minors cannot join. If you are traveling with children, they must be part of an accompanied group. Bring your own towel, since towels are not provided, and leave the interior cabins out of your plans because their use is not included.

The tour is offered with live guidance in English, Italian, and French. Some activity content may appear in its original language, so ask questions at the start if you need any safety or timing details explained clearly.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear a swimsuit or other beachwear from the start. There is no reason to make changing into swim clothes part of your port routine, and towels are not supplied.

Pack a hat, biodegradable sunscreen, and a towel. Biodegradable sunscreen is especially sensible around clear coastal water, and a hat will help during the long period aboard. Keep personal items compact so they do not clutter the deck.

Confirm four points before the outing:

• The exact duration of your chosen departure
• The food package you selected
• The €350 skipper payment
• The expected balance of sailing, motor travel, and time at anchor

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Cannes schedule is still changing. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Should you book this private Cannes boat trip?

I would book Georgette if your group can share the cost and wants a private, easygoing day built around swimming, snacks, and time on the water. The best parts are clear: a handsome modern boat, a central Cannes departure, equipment included, and a host named Hubert who appears to take real care with food, families, and small details.

I would not book it blindly. Confirm the duration, food package, and mandatory €350 skipper fee first. If you want a land-based visit to the islands, a guaranteed full sailing day, or the lowest possible price, this may not be the right choice.

For a family or group of friends, though, this is a strong Riviera splurge. Fill the boat, pack a towel, and treat the Lérins Islands as your swimming pool for the afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip begin?

It begins at the entrance barrier to the port at Esplanade Pantiero in central Cannes.

Where does the boat return?

The boat returns to Esplanade Pantiero in Cannes.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration ranges from 210 minutes to five hours. The detailed schedule describes about one hour to the islands, four hours there, and one hour back, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

How many people can join the private outing?

The private group can include up to eight people.

Is the skipper included in the price?

No. A certified professional skipper is mandatory, costs €350 per trip, and is paid on site.

What activities are available at the Lérins Islands?

You can swim, snorkel, use a stand-up paddleboard, take photographs, enjoy an aperitif, or relax aboard the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Is stand-up paddleboarding included?

Yes. Stand-up paddleboarding is included.

What food and drinks are provided?

Water, soft drinks, Provence rosé, snacks, tapenade, and local products are included. Depending on the package, the food may be an aperitif, snacks, or a light lunch.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.