Discover the Lérins Islands and the Bay of Cannes by Private Boat

Here, the Mediterranean is the activity. This four-hour private boat trip from Cannes gives you warm-water swimming, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, an underwater museum, and fine views of the Riviera shoreline. I especially like the small-group format, with only your party aboard, and the easygoing skipper, Micka, also called Michael in some communications. The biggest catch is the price: the advertised rate is $120.94 per group, but a separate €300 skipper fee is paid on the boat, so you should calculate the real total before booking.

The boat comes with snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, an underwater scooter, fuel, water, soft drinks, wine, and snacks. That makes the outing feel more like a private day at sea than a basic transfer. Still, water temperature and wind can affect the experience, and this trip suits people who actually want to swim and play in the water.

What makes this Cannes boat trip special

• Private boat for up to six people: Your group has the boat to itself, with the schedule adjusted to your pace and interests.
• Three types of water fun: Snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and an underwater scooter give children, teenagers, and active adults plenty to do.
• The Lérins Islands underwater museum: You can swim among the fish near a distinctive underwater art site.
• Micka’s flexible hosting: He has changed departure times for wind, found calmer water for a passenger with motion sickness, and adapted the outing for families.
• Food and drinks included: Wine, water, soda, and snacks are provided, with several people praising the rosé and cheese or charcuterie boards.
• A full Riviera view from the sea: The route includes Sainte-Marguerite, Saint-Honorat, and a boat-level look at the Croisette.

Leaving Port Pierre Canto for the open water

The outing begins at Port Pierre Canto, at the eastern end of Cannes along Boulevard de la Croisette. This is a practical starting point for a sea trip because you leave the city behind quickly, rather than spending much of your four hours in a marina.

The boat then heads toward the Lérins Islands, a short distance from Cannes. From the water, the city takes on a different shape. Hotels and the Croisette form a long shoreline, while the islands offer a quieter setting for swimming and stopping at coves.

I like this first stretch because it gives you two experiences in one. You get the glamour of Cannes, but the main event is the calmer island water. The last part of the tour also follows the Croisette from offshore, so you see the famous avenue twice, first as your point of departure and later from a fresh angle.

Because this is a private trip, you can talk with Micka about how active you want the day to be. Families can split their time between swimming and cruising. Couples may prefer a slower afternoon with drinks and views. Teenagers can make use of the paddleboard and underwater scooter.

Swimming and snorkeling around the Lérins Islands

The first island stop focuses on clear water, snorkeling, and a chance to use the stand-up paddleboard. The coves are described as especially attractive, and the boat can anchor away from the main city shoreline for a more peaceful swim.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from carrying your own gear. Some of the provided masks combine the mask and snorkel in a way that allows underwater swimming without constantly adjusting separate pieces. That detail matters if you want to spend more time looking below the surface and less time fussing with equipment.

The underwater scooter adds another bit of fun. It is not the reason to book this trip, but it gives older children and active adults something new to try after a swim. The paddleboard also works as a useful floating platform. You can paddle around, sit on it to rest, or use it as a launch point back into the water.

Keep the season in mind. One May outing had water described as chilly, while the August water was warm and inviting. In early June, the water was reported at about 22 degrees Celsius, which feels fine to some swimmers but cold to anyone used to Caribbean water around 30 degrees. If you dislike cool water, ask about conditions before you commit.

The underwater museum and an island aperitif

The Lérins Islands stop lasts about an hour and combines swimming with an aperitif. This is one of the most distinctive parts of the trip because you are not just looking at the islands from a boat. You get time in the water near the underwater museum, where sculptures can be viewed below the surface.

The setting is particularly suited to a relaxed break. You can swim among fish, return to the boat for a drink, and enjoy snacks while the boat remains anchored. Wine, water, soft drinks, and snacks are included, and the food has received repeated praise. The exact snack selection can vary, but cheese boards, charcuterie, and rosé have all been mentioned.

This is also where the private format earns its keep. On a shared boat, the group may have to leave the moment the schedule says so. Here, the pace can be gentler, especially if your group wants to alternate between swimming and sitting in the sun.

There is one practical limit. The islands can be busy in high season. A weekday trip, especially Tuesday, may be calmer than a Saturday. One early August comparison described hundreds of boats on a weekend, while the weekday outing had only a handful nearby. That does not mean you will have the sea to yourself, but it suggests that timing can make a real difference.

Sainte-Marguerite, coves, and time to swim

The boat then heads to Île Sainte-Marguerite, the largest of the Lérins Islands. The plan is to anchor in a cove and give you another hour for swimming and underwater exploration.

This stop is less about checking off a landmark and more about choosing your own pace. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply remain aboard with a drink. That flexibility is useful for mixed groups, especially families in which one person wants constant activity and another prefers to watch.

The island setting also gives you a pleasant change from the open view across the bay. A cove offers shelter and a closer look at the rocky shoreline. One outing included cliff-jumping spots, although you should treat that as dependent on conditions and your skipper’s advice, not as a guaranteed part of the route.

Micka’s approach appears to be one of the strongest reasons people enjoy this trip. He has adjusted the route toward calmer water when someone felt motion sick, and he has suggested a morning departure when the afternoon forecast looked windy. That kind of flexibility is more valuable than a rigid list of stops.

Still, the sea controls the day. Wind may alter the route, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. The boat is the right choice for people who can treat the planned stops as a guide rather than a promise carved in stone.

Saint-Honorat and the Ile aux Moines

The fourth stop is Île Saint-Honorat, also called the Ile aux Moines in the tour description. The island is linked with the Lérins monastic community, and the stop gives you a chance to see its distinctive setting from the water or step ashore if the skipper drops you there.

One group visited the island and bought olive oil during the stop. That small detail hints at the kind of experience possible here: less amusement-park attraction, more quiet island pause. You may want to walk briefly, look around, or simply enjoy the view before returning to the boat.

The wording of the tour does not promise a long guided visit on land, so do not book this expecting a full island walking tour. The main focus remains the boat, the water, and the coves. Saint-Honorat works best as a change of scene between swims.

If you are interested in the islands beyond their beaches, ask Micka how much time can be spent ashore. The private setup gives you a better chance of discussing that than a large scheduled excursion would.

Following the Croisette from the sea

The final half hour follows Boulevard de la Croisette from offshore. Cannes is famous for its hotels, film festival, and polished waterfront, but from a boat you see the avenue as a long sweep of shoreline rather than a street crowded with traffic and pedestrians.

This part is especially good for photographs. You can frame the palaces, waterfront, and hills behind the city from a position that is impossible on foot. It also gives the trip a clear ending: the island water fades behind you, and Cannes returns as the backdrop.

The boat finishes where it began at Port Pierre Canto. Since the activity returns to the meeting point, you do not need to arrange a separate transfer at the end. The port is near public transportation, though you should confirm your exact route before setting out.

The real price and what you receive

The advertised price is $120.94 per group of up to six people. That figure looks unusually low for a private four-hour boat, but it does not include the €300 skipper fee, which is paid aboard. You need to add that fee to the advertised price when comparing options.

For six people, the total can become reasonable on a per-person basis. For two people, it is a much bigger spend. The value comes from having the boat privately, using the water equipment, receiving fuel and refreshments, and getting a flexible route rather than a fixed seat on a large vessel.

I would compare the full cost with other private boat outings in Cannes, not with a standard sightseeing cruise. The included paddleboard, underwater scooter, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and snacks add real value for a group that will use them. If your plan is to sit quietly on deck and avoid the water, you may not get as much from the price.

The boat itself has been described as clean, spacious, and in excellent condition. Four people fit comfortably according to one account, while the official capacity is up to six. A group of six should expect a more social, compact setup than a group of four.

Micka as skipper and host

Micka, also referred to as Michael, is central to the experience. Communication before the trip has been described as prompt and clear, and English is offered. His style is friendly and informal, with attention to small details such as snacks, music, comfort, and the choice of swimming spots.

His role goes beyond steering. He explains parts of the area, takes photographs and scenic stops into account, and adapts the outing when weather or personal comfort requires it. Several families appreciated that children and teenagers had enough to do, while couples valued the slower pace and private setting.

The strongest praise centers on care and safety. One family specifically noted that he prioritized safety, while another appreciated being moved to calmer water because of motion sickness. These details matter more than a rehearsed commentary when you are on a small boat in changing conditions.

You should still tell him what you want from the four hours. Say if your group wants more swimming, more sightseeing, time ashore, or a quieter cruise. The private format works best when you use that freedom.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this outing to:

• Families with children old enough to swim and use the water equipment
• Couples wanting a private half-day on the Mediterranean
• Small groups that value flexibility and personal service
• Teenagers who will enjoy the paddleboard and underwater scooter
• Anyone who wants island swimming without committing to a full-day boat charter

It is less suitable for children under three, who are not accepted. It is also a poor match for anyone who strongly dislikes boats, cool water, wind, or active water sports.

Older passengers can still enjoy the scenery and refreshments, but the outing is built around swimming and water activities. If you do not want to get wet, the experience may feel limited. One dissatisfied passenger found that cold water and a lack of interest in snorkeling or paddleboarding left little to do beyond sitting aboard. That is a fair warning, even though most people have enjoyed the relaxed pace and activities.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The tour lasts about four hours, which is enough time to reach the islands, stop in several coves, spend time around Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, and return along the Croisette. It is a useful choice when you want a major sea experience without giving up an entire day.

A weekday is worth considering. Saturday can bring far more boats around the islands, while a Tuesday may feel less crowded. Morning departures may also be preferable when wind is expected later in the day. Micka has contacted people before departure to suggest a change when the forecast looked poor.

You receive confirmation when booking, and the activity requires good weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation caused by poor weather offers a different date or a full refund.

The meeting point is Port Pierre Canto, Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes. Check the port carefully. One past departure had to move because of major works, creating confusion for a cruise passenger. The replacement port was described as about a 15-minute walk away, but you should confirm the exact pickup location close to the date.

Final verdict: book it if the water is your priority

I would book this private Cannes boat trip if you want swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, island coves, and a relaxed skipper who adjusts the day to your group. The equipment, drinks, snacks, clean boat, and private setting make it much more than a simple ride around the bay.

Before paying, confirm the €300 skipper fee and the exact pickup point. Choose a weekday if possible, ask about water temperature and wind, and be honest about how active your group wants to be. If you do that, this is a strong way to turn a Cannes visit into a half-day on the Mediterranean rather than another walk along the waterfront.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and returns to Port Pierre Canto in Cannes.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is available for one private group of up to six people.

What activities are included?

Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboarding, and an underwater scooter are included. Swimming and sightseeing around the islands are also part of the outing.

Are drinks and food included?

Yes. The experience includes wine, water, soda, and snacks. Cheese and charcuterie-style boards have also been provided.

Is the skipper fee included in the advertised price?

No. A €300 skipper fee is paid on the boat per booking, in addition to the advertised group price.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Port Pierre Canto, Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France.

Are young children allowed?

Children under three years old are not accepted.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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