All Inclusive Private Boat Tour – Lérins Islands Cannes

Just offshore from Cannes, the Lérins Islands give you a quick escape from the Riviera’s city noise. In four hours, you can swim in clear Mediterranean water, paddle along the coast, and stretch out on a giant floating mat while your private skipper chooses calm places to stop. I especially like the roomy boat and the fact that the whole group gets the vessel to itself.

I also like the flexible rhythm. You can spend your time moving between snorkeling, paddleboarding, music, and sunbathing instead of following a fixed group schedule. The main drawback is the sea itself: one September outing had choppy water, and even a good skipper cannot smooth out rough conditions. Non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness should think twice.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to nine people: The $462 group price becomes good value when shared by a full family or friend group.
• Port Canto departure: You leave from Cannes and reach the Lérins Islands after about 30 minutes by speedboat.
• Water equipment included: Use the paddleboard, snorkeling masks and snorkels, giant floating mat, and inflatables without extra rental fees.
• Comfort onboard: You have fresh water, soft drinks, a fridge, WC, shower, cabin, sunbed, shade, and Bluetooth music.
• Three time choices: Morning, afternoon, or sunset departures let you match the trip to your plans.
• Seabob costs extra: The underwater scooter is an optional thrill, not part of the base price.

Why the Lérins Islands make a good half-day from Cannes

Cannes is famous for its red carpets, grand hotels, and polished waterfront. The Lérins Islands show you a quieter side of the same coast. They sit only a short boat ride away, but the pace changes as soon as you leave the port.

The trip is less about checking off monuments and more about using the sea. You might spend ten minutes snorkeling, then climb aboard for a drink, paddle along the shore, or lie on the floating mat with the islands around you. That freedom is the main reason to choose a private boat instead of a standard sightseeing cruise.

You also get a different view of the Riviera from the water. The coastline, rocky coves, and island scenery unfold slowly as the boat moves between Cannes and the anchorage. Your skipper can adjust the route to the conditions and your wishes, although the exact stopping places depend on the weather and sea state.

Leaving Cannes from Port Canto

The meeting point is at Port Canto in Cannes, identified by the location code H227+4R Cannes. Once onboard, you receive a short safety briefing before heading out.

The first 30 minutes are a proper cruise, not just a transfer. You can sit on the front sunbed, take shade beneath the bimini, or watch Cannes recede behind you. The boat has a Bluetooth sound system, so you can add your own music to the ride.

This part of the journey matters if you are bringing children or a mixed-age group. A boat without a place to sit comfortably can make even a short ride feel tiring. Here, you have a cabin for changing or resting, plus a WC and shower. Those features are useful after swimming, especially for families who do not want to spend the afternoon in wet clothes.

The water onboard is fresh and soft drinks are included. You can bring food and alcoholic drinks, with the fridge available for storage. Food is not supplied, so plan ahead if you expect to feel hungry during four hours at sea.

Two hours for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

The main stop at the Lérins Islands lasts about two hours. This is where the trip earns its keep.

You can swim in the turquoise water, use the provided mask and snorkel, or look for local marine life below the surface. No special snorkeling experience is required, but the activity is best suited to confident swimmers. The tour is specifically not recommended for non-swimmers.

The paddleboard gives you a quieter way to explore the edge of the cove. You can paddle alone, take turns with your group, or simply use it as another way to move around the anchorage. The giant floating mat is better for easygoing relaxation. Children and adults can sit or lie on it together, while the inflatables add a bit of low-key water play.

This setup works well for groups with different ideas about a good afternoon. One person can snorkel while another rests in the shade. Someone else can paddle, and the rest of the group can stay on deck with a drink. A private boat means nobody has to vote on one single activity for the whole group.

The optional Seabob underwater scooter changes the mood. It is a paid extra, so ask about the cost before booking if that is a key reason for choosing the trip. It offers a faster, more thrilling way to move through the water, but you can still have a full outing without it.

A second island stop with a slower pace

After the main swimming period, the schedule allows about an hour of free time around the Lérins Islands. The description includes sailing, a long-tail boat ride, and sunset depending on the chosen departure and conditions.

Do not read this as a guaranteed separate excursion with a fixed island landing. The route is flexible, and the skipper decides what works safely on the day. You might cruise around the islands, pause in another peaceful cove, or spend more time in the water.

An afternoon or sunset departure gives this final hour a softer feel. Morning is likely better for people who want maximum daylight for swimming and snorkeling. Sunset suits couples and groups who care more about warm light, music, and a relaxed ride back to Cannes.

The exact experience can change with wind and waves. One group encountered rough seas, but the skipper navigated carefully and still anchored at two attractive spots. That is useful context: this is a sea outing, not a sheltered pool day. Conditions may limit the paddleboard, affect the comfort of the boat ride, or make snorkeling less pleasant.

The boat and skipper make the difference

A private boat is only as good as the person driving it. The named skippers Joe and Lucas have been praised for being friendly, helpful, and cooperative. Joe also provided explanations at scenic points, which adds some context to a trip that otherwise focuses mainly on recreation.

You are not signing up for a formal historical tour of the islands. The guide role is practical: safety, navigation, timing, and helping you get the best use from the boat. English, French, and Arabic are available, making the trip easier for a mixed-language group.

The boat itself is described as modern and comfortable. The front sunbed is the spot for sun, while the bimini provides shade when the heat becomes too much. The cabin gives you somewhere to change or rest, and the shower is handy after saltwater activities.

The WC, fridge, and music system are small details that become important over four hours. They turn the outing from a simple boat transfer into a self-contained afternoon on the sea. You still need to bring your own towel and sunscreen, though. Fresh towels can be prepared on request, so ask before the day of departure rather than assuming they will be onboard.

What the $462 group price really buys

The listed price is $462 for a private group of up to nine people. If you fill all nine places, that works out to about $51 per person for four hours, including the boat, skipper, paddleboard, snorkeling gear, floating mat, inflatables, water, soft drinks, and onboard facilities.

That is a stronger value than the headline price first suggests. A couple would pay the same group price, so this outing makes the most financial sense for a family or group of friends. For nine people, you get privacy and control without paying separate rates for each participant.

The price does not include food, alcoholic drinks, towels, sunscreen, or the Seabob. Those exclusions are reasonable, but they affect the final budget. Bring snacks and drinks if you want more than the supplied water and soft drinks. Use the fridge, but avoid glass objects, which are not allowed onboard.

The boat also has a shower, but sunscreen remains your responsibility. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Shoes are not allowed indoors, so wear something easy to remove.

Picking the right departure time

You can choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset slot, subject to availability.

Choose morning if you want the clearest focus on swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. It also leaves the rest of your day free in Cannes.

Choose afternoon if you want a balance of water activities and a later return. This can be a good fit for a relaxed holiday schedule, especially if you do not want an early start.

Choose sunset if the mood matters as much as the swimming. The changing light over the islands and coast can make the return ride feel special. The tradeoff is that you may have less useful daylight for snorkeling, depending on the season and exact start time.

The sea is cooler outside summer. A February outing still offered beautiful scenery, but the water felt cold. If swimming is your main goal, warmer months are the safer choice. If you mainly want scenery and a private cruise, a cooler season can still work, provided you are comfortable with the temperature.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend it first to families, couples, and friend groups who want privacy and easy access to water activities. The floating mat and inflatables are especially useful for families, while the sunbed, music, and sunset option suit couples and adult groups.

It is also a good fit if your group has mixed interests. You do not need everyone to snorkel. The boat gives you several ways to spend the same stop, and the skipper can help shape the route around your preferences.

I would be more cautious if you are prone to seasickness. The ride from Cannes is short, but choppy water is possible. Sit where you feel most comfortable, avoid arriving intoxicated, and tell the skipper if you are concerned.

Non-swimmers should not book this experience. The central activities all depend on being comfortable around open water, and the tour is not suitable for people with altitude sickness either.

Practical details that prevent small problems

Bring swimwear, beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You may bring food and alcoholic drinks, but intoxication is not allowed. Glass objects, fireworks, explosive substances, and non-folding strollers are also prohibited.

The private group limit is nine people. That makes the boat intimate, but it also means you cannot simply add extra friends beyond the stated capacity.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Starting times depend on availability, so check the slot before building the rest of your Cannes plans around it.

The trip lasts four hours from Port Canto and includes roughly 30 minutes out, two hours focused on snorkeling and paddleboarding, about one hour of flexible island time, and 30 minutes back. Timing may shift with the sea and your group’s wishes.

Should you book the Lérins Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible way to spend half a day on the Riviera and can share the cost with a group. The strongest points are the friendly skipper service, the comfortable boat, and the number of water activities already included.

I would choose it over a larger cruise if privacy matters and your group wants control over the pace. I would skip it if you are a non-swimmer, dislike open water, or want a fully catered outing. For the best value, bring enough people to fill most of the nine seats, pack your own food and towels, and choose a warm-weather morning or afternoon if swimming is your priority.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

The tour departs from Port Canto in Cannes. The supplied meeting location is identified as H227+4R Cannes.

How long does the experience last?

The private boat trip lasts four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to nine guests.

What water activities are included?

You can swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, relax on the giant floating mat, and use the available inflatables.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included.

Is the Seabob underwater scooter included?

No. The Seabob is available as a paid option.

Are food and alcoholic drinks included?

No. Food and alcoholic drinks are not included, but you may bring your own and use the onboard fridge.

What facilities are available on the boat?

The boat has a fridge, WC, shower, cabin, front sunbed, shaded area, Bluetooth sound system, fresh water, and soft drinks.

What languages can the skipper speak?

The tour is available in French, English, and Arabic.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Fresh towels may be prepared on request, but you should arrange that in advance.