Marina Baie des Anges: Day trip with lunch on the Lérins Islands by catamaran

The best part of this day is the change of pace. You leave Marina Baie des Anges at 9:30 am and spend the day moving between turquoise island water and quiet coves near Cap d’Antibes, with lunch served on board instead of hunting for a table ashore.

I like the comfortable Maxi Catamaran Mayba and the easy, generous format: buffet food, wine, an aperitif, coffee, and soft drinks are included. I also like the crew’s calm handling of changing conditions. Captain François and his team have adjusted the route when wind or crowded anchorages made a planned stop less suitable.

The main consideration is that the exact coves are not guaranteed. One planned stop may be replaced by another, and you should expect a full eight hours in the sun. Bring a towel, beachwear, sunglasses, and biodegradable sunscreen, and check parking near the marina before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Two swimming stops: You get time at the Lérins Islands and later near Cap d’Antibes, with paddles available for exploring the water.
• Fresh food served aboard: The buffet includes a variety of dishes, with chicken strips and prawns cooked fresh by the crew on some departures.
• A spacious Maxi Catamaran: The Mayba offers room to sit, stretch out, eat, and enjoy the view without the feel of a small rigid boat.
• A flexible route: Wind, boat traffic, marine life, and park rules can change the anchorage selected that day.
• Drinks are included: Expect Côtes de Provence white, red, and rosé wine, Punch Planteur, juices, coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
• Best for a slow day at sea: This suits couples, families, and anyone who wants swimming and scenery without a packed schedule of shore visits.

Starting at Marina Baie des Anges at 9:20 am

Your morning begins at Quai O in the Port of Marina Baie des Anges. Look for the Maxi Catamaran Mayba, where the French and English-speaking crew welcomes you aboard.

The schedule is tidy. Boarding is at 9:20 am, followed by a short introduction to the boat, the crew, the day’s plan, and safety instructions. Departure is set for 9:30 am, so do not treat the meeting time as a suggestion. The boat will be preparing to leave soon after.

Marina Baie des Anges is a useful starting point because the day is spent on the water rather than broken up by repeated transfers. Once aboard, you can settle into the rhythm of the cruise. The morning crossing gives you broad views of the Côte d’Azur coast on the way toward Cannes and the Lérins Islands.

I would arrive ready for sun and wind. Sunglasses are practical, not just fashionable, and a towel and beachwear are essential if you want to use the swimming stops. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, which fits the care taken around the islands and marine areas.

Sailing toward the Lérins Islands

The first crossing takes roughly 75 minutes, with arrival at the island area planned for about 10:45 am. This is not a speedboat transfer. The value is in the open-water ride, the changing view of the coast, and the chance to settle into a full day away from roads and hotel streets.

The Lérins Islands are among the most appealing places on this route because the boat can anchor between the islands in clear water. The setting gives you a natural break from the mainland, with time to sit on deck, take photographs, swim, or use a paddleboard.

The island stop is meant to feel unhurried. You are not being rushed from one sight to the next. The catamaran becomes your base, so you can stay dry on deck, get into the water, or simply watch the coast from a shaded or sunny spot, depending on where you choose to sit.

The route can change for sound reasons. Wind may make one anchorage uncomfortable, and a popular cove may be crowded with boats. On one departure, the captain skipped a planned spot because conditions were too windy and too many boats were already there, choosing a quieter area in the Gulf of Juan instead. That is a sensible tradeoff, though anyone expecting one exact cove should keep an open mind.

Lunch between the islands, with wine and an aperitif

The first anchorage is also the setting for lunch. An aperitif is served before the buffet, with Punch Planteur listed as the included option. Wine is available with the meal, including Côtes de Provence white, red, and rosé.

The buffet is prepared by a caterer and is designed around fresh, varied food rather than a basic packed lunch. Details can vary, but the crew has also prepared chicken breast strips and prawns fresh on board. That small touch matters. Hot food served during a swim stop feels far more like a proper holiday meal than sandwiches pulled from a cooler.

Soft drinks are covered too. You can have still or sparkling water, orange juice, multi-fruit juice, cola, lemonade, coffee, or tea. Drinks are provided through plastic-free fountains from the local Ôchwette brand, part of the operator’s effort to cut down on disposable plastic.

Lunch at anchor is the heart of the day. You are eating with the boat gently moving beneath you, rather than spending the middle of a coastal cruise looking for a restaurant. The tradeoff is that this is buffet dining in a marine setting, not a formal meal with a menu and table service. For most people booking a relaxed catamaran day, that is exactly the point.

Alcohol is included, but moderation is wise. The sun, sea air, and a long afternoon can make wine feel stronger than expected.

Swimming and paddleboarding at the first stop

The first anchorage gives you time to use the paddles provided. You can head out for a quiet look around the boat, swim in the clear water, or remain on deck and enjoy the view.

This stop works well for mixed groups. One person can swim while another reads or takes photographs. Families can split their time between the water and the catamaran, and a person who is nervous in the sea can remain close to the boat with support from the crew.

The boat’s size is a real advantage here. A Maxi Catamaran gives you more deck space than a small day boat, which makes it easier to find a comfortable place during the longer stop. The boat is not guaranteed to have the same number of people on every date, but one family departure was appreciated because it did not feel overcrowded.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment only if you already have it and want it. The provided equipment specifically mentioned is paddles, not snorkels or masks. You can swim without special gear, but do not assume that a full snorkeling kit is included.

The afternoon run along Cap d’Antibes

At about 2:45 pm, the boat leaves the Lérins area and heads toward Cap d’Antibes. This part of the day shifts from island scenery to the mainland coast, where coves and large villas line the shore.

The journey is short, around 30 minutes before the second anchorage is expected at 3:15 pm. The possible bays include Anse de la Salis, Garoupe, or Olivette. The exact choice depends on weather, local conditions, and boat traffic.

Cap d’Antibes is a good second act because it gives the day a different setting. You have already had the open-water island stop. Now the view includes the curved shoreline, coves, and villas of one of the Côte d’Azur’s most famous coastal areas.

Again, flexibility matters. A captain who changes course to find calmer water is doing the job properly, even if the final cove differs from the one you had pictured. On one outing, the boat continued carefully past a busy, windy area and reached the Gulf of Juan, where the group could swim and use the paddleboards with a view toward a house connected with Jules Verne.

A second anchorage before the return

The second stop runs from roughly 3:15 to 4:15 pm. It is shorter than the first anchorage, but long enough for a swim, a paddleboard ride, or a final stretch of quiet time on deck.

I like this structure because the day does not end immediately after lunch. There is a second chance to get in the water, and the change of location keeps the cruise from feeling repetitive. If your first swim was brief, the afternoon stop gives you another opening.

The cove may be peaceful, but the water and wind can vary. If you are sensitive to motion, sit low and near the center of the catamaran when underway, then move to the deck position you prefer once anchored. The crew has been described as attentive, including helping a nervous passenger feel more at ease.

This is a soft, low-pressure kind of water activity. You do not need to paddle for long or swim far to enjoy it. You can treat the stop as a short beach break without a beach, with the catamaran providing shade, seating, food, and a place to return whenever you like.

Sailing back to Marina Baie des Anges

The return begins at about 4:15 pm, with disembarkation planned for 5:30 pm. That gives you another 75 minutes to watch the coast and let the day wind down.

The return sail is part of the experience, not just a ride back. After lunch and two anchorages, you can sit quietly, take in the last coastal views, and enjoy a coffee or soft drink. The schedule leaves enough time for a full day without stretching into the evening.

The final timing can be affected by wind or route changes, so I would avoid booking a tight dinner reservation immediately after the stated arrival. The published return is 5:30 pm, but conditions at sea always deserve a little breathing room.

What the $175 price really covers

At $175 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Côte d’Azur from the water. Its value depends on how much you would otherwise spend on separate activities.

The price includes an eight-hour catamaran cruise, two anchorage periods, paddleboard use, an aperitif, buffet lunch, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. You are also paying for the boat itself, the crew, the coastal route, and the convenience of having the day organized from one marina.

The all-inclusive format makes budgeting easy. You do not need to add a restaurant lunch, drinks at the dock, or a separate boat rental. If you mainly want a quick scenic cruise, the price may feel high. If you want a full day with swimming, food, and a relaxed boat base, it is easier to justify.

The boat and crew are central to the value. A comfortable catamaran changes the day from simple transport into a place where you can spend hours without feeling confined. The crew’s willingness to change anchorages when conditions call for it also adds practical value.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this cruise to couples seeking a slow day away from the city, families wanting swimming without complicated logistics, and anyone who prefers scenery and free time over a packed sightseeing program.

It also works well for groups with mixed energy levels. Strong swimmers can paddle and swim, while others can stay aboard. The included food and drinks mean the group does not need to agree on a restaurant or leave the boat at lunchtime.

You should think twice if you need a fixed route, a guaranteed visit to one exact cove, or a very active day of water sports. The main activities are sailing, swimming, paddleboarding, eating, and relaxing. There is no promise of a guided island walk or extended time ashore.

The official languages are French and English. Some content may be presented in its original language, so this is best for you if you are comfortable with a relaxed bilingual setting rather than expecting every detail to be translated at length.

Practical details that make the day easier

Meet at Quai O, Port of Marina Baie des Anges, beside the Maxi Catamaran Mayba. Boarding is at 9:20 am, with departure at 9:30 am and return scheduled for 5:30 pm.

Wear beachwear under light clothing and pack a towel. Sunglasses and biodegradable sunscreen belong in your day bag. The boat provides the drinks and lunch listed above, but the supplied information does not specify other personal equipment, so pack only what you know you will use.

Parking deserves attention. One passenger specifically wanted clearer information about long-stay parking nearby, so check your parking plan before the morning of departure. Arriving early is wiser than trying to solve parking at the last minute.

The cruise allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time when booking, since schedules can vary.

Should you book the Lérins Islands catamaran day?

Book it if you want a polished, easy day on the Mediterranean with good food, included drinks, two swim stops, and a crew that puts safety and conditions ahead of sticking rigidly to one cove.

The strongest reasons are the comfortable Mayba, the fresh buffet touches, the professional crew led by Captain François, and the chance to see both the Lérins Islands and Cap d’Antibes in one outing. The main compromise is route flexibility. You are buying a day on the sea, not a guarantee of one precise anchorage.

At $175, I see this as a fair choice for a full-service day, especially for couples and families who would rather have lunch, drinks, and water activities handled in one booking. Choose it with the right expectation: less sightseeing by land, more swimming, sailing, and time spent doing very little in a beautiful place.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The meeting point is Quai O at the Port of Marina Baie des Anges. The boat is the Maxi Catamaran Mayba.

What time do I need to arrive?

Boarding is scheduled for 9:20 am, with departure at 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts eight hours, from morning boarding until planned disembarkation at 5:30 pm.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in French and English. Some content may be presented in its original language.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A varied buffet lunch prepared by a caterer is included.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are still and sparkling water, orange juice, multi-fruit juice, cola, lemonade, coffee, and tea. Punch Planteur is served as an aperitif, and Côtes de Provence white, red, and rosé wines are served with the meal.

Are paddleboards available?

Yes. Paddles are provided for use during the anchorage stops.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear.

Can the route or anchorage change?

Yes. Sailing routes and anchorages can change according to weather, local regulations, marine life, and conditions at the sites. Possible Cap d’Antibes anchorages include Anse de la Salis, Garoupe, or Olivette.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.