Cannes: Private Boat Trip to Lerins Islands & Cap d’Antibes

The best Riviera view is from the water. This private cruise links Cap d’Antibes with the Lerins Islands, giving you swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and island time without a packed tour boat. I especially like the freedom to shape the route and the warm, informative style of skipper Philippe. The main catch is cost: the advertised $342 covers the group, but you must add a €200 skipper fee.

The boat suits couples, families, and small groups who want a relaxed day rather than a strict sightseeing schedule. I also like that you can bring your own picnic, buy food at the marina or islands, and even arrange pizza, snacks, drinks, or ice cream delivered to the boat. Just remember that the boat holds a maximum of five passengers plus the skipper, and children under three cannot join.

Why this Riviera boat trip is worth considering

• Philippe shapes the outing around you, with stops for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, island walks, or simply sitting with a drink.
• The route combines two very different highlights, the grand Cap d’Antibes coastline and the quieter Lerins Islands.
• Swimming equipment is supplied, including snorkels, paddleboards, noodles, life jackets, and water.
• The 6-hour option offers the best value, especially if you want time for several stops instead of rushing between them.
• Food is flexible, with room for your picnic and access to marina restaurants, island eateries, and delivery boats.
• The boat has both shade and open-air seating, plus a cockpit table, storage, a small cabin, and a swimming platform.

Leaving Camille Rayon Marina for open water

The trip begins at Camille Rayon Marina in Golfe-Juan, between Cannes and Antibes. You can reach the marina by car or public transport, but transportation is not included, so plan that part yourself. Philippe contacts you shortly before departure with the exact meeting details, boat information, timing, and weather update. Check your messages carefully.

The boat is a pilothouse model with a sizeable cockpit, passenger seats, a table, storage space, a forward cabin, and a swimming platform. That layout matters. You are not simply perched on narrow benches for several hours. You have places to sit, keep bags out of the way, eat lunch, and move between sun and shade.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, cash, and clothing suited to the weather. Leave high heels at home. The marina and the boat are practical places, not a fashion runway, and bare feet or sensible shoes will serve you better.

The group limit is five passengers plus Philippe. That makes this a good choice for a couple, a family, or a few friends who want private use of the boat. Some past bookings describe larger groups, so I would confirm the current capacity before paying if your party has six or more people.

Cruising past Cap d’Antibes

One of the first major sights is Cap d’Antibes, the rocky peninsula reaching into the Mediterranean. From the boat, you see the coast from a far more open angle than you do from a road or walking path. The water gives you a broad view of the shoreline, bays, villas, and headland.

This part of the cruise is less about getting off the boat and more about seeing the Côte d’Azur as a whole. Philippe adds stories and local context as you go, with information about Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and the coast. His style is a strong part of the experience. The feedback consistently describes him as friendly, calm with children, and good at balancing conversation with quiet time.

That balance is useful. Some boat captains talk nonstop, while others leave you with no idea what you are seeing. Philippe appears to read the group well. You can ask about the area, listen to local anecdotes, or simply enjoy the view.

If your main goal is a fast sightseeing circuit with a long list of landmarks, this may feel too relaxed. The point is not to tick off every cove. The point is to enjoy the sea and choose where to linger.

Crossing the Golfe-Juan to the Lerins Islands

From the Cap d’Antibes area, the boat crosses the Golfe-Juan toward the Lerins Islands. The islands provide the trip’s most varied stop. You can anchor near Saint-Marguerite or Saint-Honorat, swim from the boat, use the paddleboard, snorkel, or go ashore for a walk.

Saint-Marguerite is the larger and better-known island. A short walk here can break up the time on the water and give you a change of pace. Saint-Honorat has a monastery and a quieter character, with vineyards and wine associated with the island’s monastic community. If island history interests you, ask Philippe to include the stop that best matches your group.

The amount of time available depends on the length you book and the conditions on the day. A 3-hour trip can include a cruise and one or two water stops, but you will have to choose. You may get a swim, a short island walk, and a look at the coast, but probably not a leisurely version of everything.

The 6-hour trip is the better choice if you want the full experience. You have time to cruise, stop near more than one location, swim without watching the clock, and walk on an island. Several people who chose the shorter outing wished they had booked the longer one. That is not surprising: boats take time to move between places, and the pleasure here comes from lingering.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the underwater museum

The boat carries snorkeling gear, paddleboards, swim noodles, life jackets, and drinking water. You do not need to hire separate equipment, which keeps the day simple and makes it easier for a family group to try more than one activity.

The snorkeling is at anchor rather than part of a formal guided lesson. Philippe chooses stops based on the route and conditions, then gives you time in the water. One popular area is near an underwater museum with large head sculptures. That unusual feature gives the swim a little more purpose than simply floating beside a boat.

The water is described as clear and strikingly blue, though visibility always depends on weather and sea conditions. Do not expect a full reef expedition. This is a Riviera swim stop, with the pleasure coming from clean water, open sea, and the chance to switch between snorkeling and paddling.

The paddleboard is a good option if one person in your group does not want to snorkel. Swim noodles offer an easier way to float, and life jackets are available. Philippe has also been praised for helping nervous children feel comfortable around the boat and in the water.

Still, this is a boat day, not a supervised children’s water program. Young children need close adult attention, and children under three are not permitted. If someone in your group is uneasy in open water, tell Philippe early so he can plan calmer, easier stops.

Time ashore on Saint-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat

The island walks are short breaks rather than full hikes. You might stroll on Saint-Honorat, visit the area around its monastery, or walk on Saint-Marguerite before returning to the boat. The appeal is the contrast: after swimming and sitting in the sun, you get shade, solid ground, and a closer look at island life.

Do not think of this as a complete island tour with hours ashore. The boat remains the center of the experience. If your priority is exploring every path, historic site, or religious building on the islands, you would need more time than this outing normally allows.

For most people, a short walk is exactly right. It keeps the day varied without turning a relaxed cruise into a demanding sightseeing schedule. You can stretch your legs, take photographs, and return to the water before the afternoon disappears.

Bring lunch, wine, or order food by boat

Food and drinks are allowed onboard, and the boat has storage for bags. A picnic is an easy way to make the trip feel personal. You could pick up bread, cheese, fruit, or a prepared lunch before heading to the marina, then eat at the cockpit table between stops.

You can also use restaurants at the marina and on the islands. In addition, small delivery boats may bring snacks, ice cream, drinks, or pizza to boats in the area. That detail adds fun, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed restaurant service. Availability can depend on location, season, and timing.

Bring cash, as requested in the practical information. Even if you plan to use a card for most of the day, cash is useful for small purchases or services on and around the water. Drinking water is provided, but other food and drinks are your responsibility.

A picnic also helps with the 3-hour option. You will not lose time searching for lunch. On the 6-hour trip, a proper meal and drinks make the boat feel like your base for the day rather than just a transport ride.

The boat, comfort, and family appeal

The boat is small enough to feel private but has more useful space than a basic open skiff. The cockpit table supports lunch and conversation, while the passenger seats and fore-cabin provide a little shelter. The swimming platform makes getting in and out of the water easier than climbing over the side.

Shade is available, which matters on the Riviera. You can enjoy the sun for a while, then move under cover when it becomes too strong. Storage space helps keep towels, bags, and picnic supplies from cluttering the seating area.

Families receive particular care from Philippe, based on the strong praise for his calm approach with children. He explains boat rules, helps younger swimmers, and adjusts activities to different confidence levels. One child who felt nervous reportedly became comfortable enough to enjoy the water, which says a lot about the tone of the outing.

The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users. Mobility at a marina, on a small boat, and around a swimming platform can be difficult. Ask the provider directly about any specific mobility concern before booking.

Is the €200 skipper fee good value?

The advertised price is $342 per group of up to five, but the €200 skipper fee is paid separately on the boat. That extra charge is not a minor detail. Include it in your real budget before comparing this experience with shared cruises or standard boat rentals.

For five people, the base cost works out to about $68 each before the skipper fee. Once the extra charge is included, the per-person amount becomes more reasonable for a private outing, especially if you use the boat for six hours. For two people, the same fee makes the trip a much more expensive choice, although couples may value the privacy and flexibility.

I see the strongest value for a family or group of friends splitting the total. You get private use of the boat, a skipper, equipment, a flexible route, water, and several hours on the coast. A shared cruise may cost less, but it usually gives you less control over swim stops, food, and timing.

The full-day length matters. If you are already paying the skipper fee, I would favor six hours unless your schedule is tight or your group only wants a quick swim and coastal cruise. The half-day option works well for a first taste, but the longer version gives the price more room to make sense.

Who should book this Cannes private boat trip?

I would recommend it to:

• Couples who want a quiet day away from city crowds.
• Families with children over three who want swimming and simple water activities.
• Friends who can share the cost of a private boat.
• Visitors staying around Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, or nearby parts of the Riviera.
• Anyone who prefers a flexible outing to a fixed group itinerary.
• People who enjoy local stories along with coastal scenery.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, need wheelchair access, want a tightly scripted historical tour, or only have time for a very short outing. The trip depends on the sea, weather, and your willingness to spend much of the day outdoors.

English and French are available. The tour is private, but that does not mean luxurious yacht service. It is a comfortable, practical boat with a friendly skipper, useful equipment, and a relaxed rhythm.

Booking details worth checking before you go

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. The duration ranges from three to six hours, with start times shown according to availability.

The skipper contacts you shortly before the trip, so keep an eye on your messages. Confirm the exact meeting point, departure time, weather, and boat details before leaving for the marina.

Also confirm your passenger count. The stated capacity is five passengers plus Philippe, even though some past groups were larger. That small check can prevent an awkward start to your holiday.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want the Riviera at a slower pace, with time to swim, paddle, eat lunch, and hear local stories from someone who knows the coast. Philippe is the main reason the experience feels personal rather than mechanical, and his calm manner appears especially useful for families.

For the best balance of cost and time, I would choose the 6-hour version for a group of four or five. Bring a picnic, pack a towel, expect to pay the €200 skipper fee separately, and let the route stay flexible. If you want only a quick look at the coast, three hours is enough. If you want the day to feel like a real break from Cannes, give yourself the full outing.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

It begins at Camille Rayon Marina in Golfe-Juan, which is accessible by car or public transport from Cannes and Antibes.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The stated capacity is five passengers plus the skipper. Confirm the current limit if your group has more than five passengers.

Is the skipper fee included in the advertised price?

No. A €200 skipper fee is paid separately at the boat.

What equipment is provided?

The boat provides snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, life jackets, swim noodles, and drinking water.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. Food and drinks are allowed onboard, and storage space is available for bags. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Can I choose what to do during the trip?

Yes. The trip can include cruising, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, relaxing onboard, and walking on one of the Lerins Islands.

Is the trip suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

Children under three are not permitted, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.