Private Boat Charter in the Bay of St Tropez

The best views here come from the water. This four-hour private charter lets you shape the day around your group, with time for swimming and snorkeling in quiet bays or faster fun on a wakeboard, towable tube, or paddleboard. I also like the personal touch: skippers such as Matt and Sirio adjust the pace, explain the area, and help families make good use of the equipment.

The second big plus is value. At $300.72 for up to six people, the base price can work out well for a private outing, especially compared with booking several separate activities. The main consideration is the extra fuel charge, along with a possible €50 pickup fee if you do not depart from Marines de Cogolin.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to six: Your group has the boat to itself, so you can set the pace and choose how active or relaxed the outing feels.
• Water sports are included: Paddleboards, wakeboards, water skis, towable inflatables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids are available at no extra cost.
• Marines de Cogolin is the standard port: Pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud costs €50.
• Fuel is charged separately: A €100 fuel deposit is taken before departure, then adjusted according to actual use.
• Port Grimaud adds a change of scene: The canal village gives you a chance to leave the boat and walk around, have an ice cream, or stop for a drink.
• The schedule is flexible: The suggested stops are useful ideas, not a rigid route. Your skipper can focus on swimming, sightseeing, or water sports.

Why a private boat works well in St Tropez

The Bay of St Tropez can feel very different from the waterfront. On land, you deal with traffic, crowded roads, and limited parking. From the boat, you can reach the famous shoreline, small swimming spots, and Port Grimaud without spending the day moving between them by car.

The private format matters most when your group has mixed interests. One person can paddleboard while another relaxes on deck. Children can try a towable inflatable, while adults take a slower cruise past the villas and beaches. You are not locked into a fixed program designed for a large crowd.

The boat holds up to six people. That makes this a natural fit for a family, two or three couples, or a small group of friends. With only two people, you get a great deal of room, though the per-person price becomes less attractive.

The skippers are part of the appeal. Matt is praised for being flexible, well-prepared, and good at sharing information during the ride. Sirio is described as attentive and especially helpful with families and water sports. The feedback also points to a tidy, comfortable boat that works well for both cruising and faster runs.

Do not expect a formal lecture or a polished sightseeing coach on water. This is more personal and informal. You get local guidance, practical help with equipment, and the freedom to change plans as the day develops.

Leaving Marines de Cogolin for the bay

The usual departure point is Marines de Cogolin, a marina between the main resort areas of the gulf. The charter returns there after about four hours. If you are staying in St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud, pickup can be arranged for €50.

That pickup option may be worth paying for if you want to avoid arranging a taxi or coordinating your own trip to Cogolin. Still, check the departure port carefully before you book. The boat does not automatically collect you from whichever town is most convenient.

Bring the food and drinks you want for the trip. The operator provides ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox, which is a useful setup for a half-day on the water. A simple lunch, fruit, sandwiches, and cold drinks are easier than trying to find food at every stop.

The timing also matters. Four hours sounds generous, but the clock includes cruising between locations, swimming, water sports, and any time spent walking around Port Grimaud. If you want to try several activities, tell the skipper early so you do not spend too long at the first stop.

Port St Tropez: superyachts and waterfront style

The first suggested stop is Port St Tropez, where you can see the harbor, large yachts, and the famous bars along the quayside. The planned time here is about 30 minutes.

This is a good opening scene because it gives you the postcard version of St Tropez from a different angle. From the boat, you can take in the waterfront without committing to a long walk through town. The harbor is also a useful reminder that St Tropez is not only about beaches. It is a working port mixed with high-end leisure.

The drawback is time. Thirty minutes is enough for a look, but not enough for a full town visit, shopping, or a relaxed drink on shore. If your main goal is exploring St Tropez itself, this charter will not replace a land visit.

For many groups, though, the port works best as a quick visual stop. You see the boats, take photographs, and then move on to quieter water.

Plage des Graniers: a short swim and beach option

Next comes Plage des Graniers, where the boat anchors for about 30 minutes. You can swim or snorkel near the boat, or use the tender to reach the beach bar.

There is also an option to arrange lunch at Les Graniers restaurant. If that interests you, mention it when booking rather than waiting until the day itself. A restaurant stop changes the rhythm of the outing, and the available time may need to be planned around it.

This is one of the more flexible parts of the route. You can stay on the boat and cool off in the water, or shift toward a beach-based break. Families may prefer the short swim, while a group celebrating a special occasion may want the restaurant option.

Keep your expectations sensible. The stop is brief, so it is not designed as a long beach afternoon. It is a chance to get into the water, enjoy the coast, and continue before the day loses momentum.

Plage des Canoubiers and Millionaires Bay

The charter then heads toward Baie de Canebiers, also known as Millionaires Bay, with about an hour planned here. This is the strongest part of the outing for swimming and water sports.

The boat moors in the bay, allowing you to use the paddleboards, snorkels, and other equipment around the boat. You can also choose more active options such as wakeboarding, water skiing, or a towable tube, depending on the conditions and your group’s interest.

The supplied equipment is a real value point. You do not need to rent a paddleboard or arrange separate water activities after arriving. Buoyancy aids are also available, which gives families a useful safety option, though you should still discuss each activity with the skipper and follow the instructions provided.

The reviews show how well this stop can work for mixed-age groups. Families with young children enjoyed trying several activities, with the towable inflatable becoming a memorable finale for some children. Other groups preferred to lie back on the boat and watch the bay.

This is where you should speak up about what you want. If you want a calm hour, say so. If wakeboarding or a towable ride is the priority, mention that before the boat leaves the marina. The fuel guidance is important here: gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while high speeds and towed sports can use around €45 per hour.

Port Grimaud, the canal village on the water

The final suggested stop is Port Grimaud, often called the Little Venice of France. The planned visit lasts about an hour, and you can leave the boat to explore the village.

Port Grimaud provides a useful contrast to the open bay. Instead of swimming and speed, you get canals, small waterfront streets, and time on land. You can stop for an ice cream, beer, or lunch, then return to the boat for the trip back.

The village is especially useful if someone in your group is less interested in water sports. They can enjoy a walk and a drink while the more active members of the group make the most of the boat elsewhere in the day.

The tradeoff is that every shore stop reduces time in the water. If your priority is snorkeling and towable sports, you may prefer to shorten Port Grimaud. If you have never seen the canal village, keeping the full hour makes sense.

The route also gives you a nice sense of the bay’s variety. In four hours, you can see the glamorous harbor, a beach setting, a sheltered swimming bay, and a canal village. You will not explore any one location in great depth, but you get a broad and enjoyable sample.

Water sports, equipment, and the fuel calculation

The included equipment is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. The boat carries stand-up paddleboards, wakeboards, water skis, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids.

That list gives you choices, but it also affects the final cost. Fuel is not included in the advertised group price. A €100 deposit is taken before the trip. If the boat uses less fuel, the difference is returned after the outing. If fuel use exceeds the deposit, the shortfall is invoiced afterward.

The operator gives useful estimates. Stopping in bays uses no fuel. Gentle cruising uses roughly €15 per hour, while high speeds, heavy loads, wakeboarding, water skiing, and towable inflatables use around €45 per hour.

This is not a hidden detail you should ignore. If you spend much of the four hours anchored, the extra cost may be modest. If your whole group wants fast rides and repeated towing, budget for more. The fuel system is fair in principle because it is based on actual use, but you should include it when comparing prices.

Is $300.72 good value for six people?

The advertised price is $300.72 per group of up to six, not per person. At full capacity, that is about $50 per person before fuel and any pickup charge. For a private boat, access to several types of water equipment, a skipper, and a flexible route, that is a reasonable starting price.

The value drops if only two people book. You still receive the private boat and personal service, but the per-person figure rises quickly. Couples who want a private outing may still like the comfort and space, while budget-minded pairs might compare it with a shared boat option.

The €50 pickup charge is also easy to assess. Split across six people, it is small. Split between two, it matters more. The same is true of fuel. A relaxed cruise with swimming stops should cost less to run than a high-speed sports session.

I would compare the total likely cost, not just the headline price. Add fuel, pickup if needed, and any restaurant spending. Then consider what you would otherwise pay for separate paddleboard rental, snorkeling equipment, a boat ride, and transport between coastal stops.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

This outing suits people who want control over their time. You can set the balance between sightseeing, swimming, rest, and water sports instead of following a fixed group schedule.

It is a particularly good choice for:

• Families who want several activities in one half-day
• Friends who want a private boat without chartering a large vessel
• Couples who value space and a personal route
• Active groups interested in wakeboards, paddleboards, or towable rides
• Anyone who wants to combine St Tropez, the bay, and Port Grimaud in one outing

It may be less suitable if you want a full day at one beach, a formal historical tour, or a very low-cost boat ride. The sightseeing explanations are a welcome part of the trip, but the main attraction is being on the water and choosing your own pace.

Good weather is essential. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Practical tips for making the four hours count

Tell the operator your priorities when you book. If your group includes children who want a towable ride, adults who want to snorkel, and someone who mainly wants to relax, that information helps the skipper plan the day.

Bring food and drinks for the coolbox. The supplied ice, water, and glasses make this easy, and your own provisions give you more control than relying on a restaurant stop.

Wear clothing suitable for getting wet, and keep your plans flexible. The bay conditions, fuel use, and group energy may affect which activities fit comfortably into four hours.

If you want lunch at Les Graniers or Port Grimaud, mention it early. Restaurant time can be arranged, but it competes with time for swimming and sports.

Finally, agree on the fuel approach before you leave the marina. A relaxed cruise and an action-heavy outing are not the same product in fuel terms.

Should you book the St Tropez private charter?

I would book this if you have three to six people and want more than a simple sightseeing cruise. The combination of a private boat, flexible stops, included sports equipment, and friendly skippers such as Matt and Sirio gives the outing a personal feel that a larger group boat cannot match.

I would be more cautious if your budget is tight, your group is only two people, or you want a quiet boat ride with no extra charges. In that case, confirm the fuel estimate and departure port before paying.

For families and small groups who want to swim, play, cruise, and see several sides of the bay in one half-day, this is a strong choice. Just treat the advertised price as the starting point, not the final total.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join?

The private boat accommodates up to six passengers.

Where does the boat depart?

The standard 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 additional €50. You should request the alternative port when booking.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €100 fuel deposit is collected before the trip. Any unused amount is returned after the outing, while any shortfall is invoiced.

What water sports equipment is provided?

The charter includes paddleboards, wakeboards, water skis, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You are asked to bring your own food and drinks. Ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox are provided.

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.