Cannes: Private Sailing Boat Tour to the Lérins Islands

The best part of this Cannes outing is the setting: you leave from the city center and, within minutes, trade the port for open water and the rocky coves of the Lérins Islands. Aboard Georgette, a modern 15-meter sailboat named best yacht of the year in 2022, you get a private day on the Riviera rather than a crowded boat ride.

I like the private group format, which gives your family or friends room to set the pace. I also like the easy mix of swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a Provençal spread of rosé, tapenade, cold meats, cheeses, fruit, and pastries. Hubert has earned especially warm praise for attentive hosting, including thoughtful food service and help with the water activities.

The main drawback is easy to miss when comparing prices: the mandatory skipper costs an additional €350 per trip, paid on site. The advertised duration can also range from 210 minutes to five hours, so confirm the exact sailing time before booking if you want a full day on the water.

Key points to know before you book

• Georgette is a 15-meter private sailboat: You have a proper yacht, not a basic harbor vessel, with space for up to eight people.
• Cannes Old Port is the departure point: Meet at the port entrance barrier near Esplanade Pantiero, right in the city center.
• The Lérins Islands are the main event: Expect a scenic sail, a sheltered cove, clear water, and free time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Water equipment is provided: Snorkeling gear and a stand-up paddleboard are included, so you need not pack your own.
• Hubert is part of the experience: Recent outings describe him as attentive with families, children, food, and activity choices.
• Budget for the skipper separately: The boat price is $1,356 for the group, but the certified skipper fee of €350 is paid on site.

Leaving Cannes from the old port

The meeting point is the entrance barrier at the port, close to Esplanade Pantiero. This is a useful location if you are staying in central Cannes because you can reach the boat without arranging a hotel transfer. Private pickup and drop-off are not included, so you handle your own way to and from the harbor.

Once aboard, you receive a short safety briefing and settle in on Georgette. The boat itself is a major part of the appeal. This is a latest-generation 15-meter sailboat, not simply a motorboat with a mast added for decoration. You may sail under wind power or use the motor, depending on the weather and the day’s plan.

That flexibility matters on the Riviera. A calm day may call for a quiet sail along the coast. Wind or timing may make motor travel more practical. The trip is designed around enjoying the water, not forcing a particular sailing style.

The group limit is eight people. That works especially well for a family, two couples, or a small group of friends who want to spend time together without sharing the boat with strangers. At the full group size, the cost becomes more reasonable when divided among everyone, although you still need to add the skipper fee.

Sailing toward the Lérins Islands

The route takes you away from Cannes toward the Lérins Islands. The journey is scenic rather than rushed, giving you time to enjoy the coastline from the water. You may spend part of the crossing under sail and part under motor, based on the weather and your preferences.

This is where the private setup makes a difference. You can ask for a gentler pace, spend longer taking photographs, or focus on reaching the swimming area. You are not following a large group with a fixed schedule and a loud commentary track.

The exact duration is worth checking. The experience is listed as lasting from 210 minutes to five hours, while the full program allows about an hour for the boat ride out, four hours around the islands, and an hour back. If you are choosing this for a full afternoon or a special celebration, confirm the available start time and length before paying.

Anchoring in a clear-water cove

The boat anchors near the Lérins Islands, where the main free time begins. The water is described as clear enough for swimming and snorkeling, and the activity list includes paddleboarding as well. You can move between activities or do very little at all.

I like that the program does not force everyone into the same plan. One person can snorkel while another rests in the sun. Children can use the paddleboard or swim, while adults enjoy the boat and the view. A family outing from August included plenty of help with the water activities and soft drinks for the children, which is a practical touch if you are bringing younger passengers.

Snorkeling equipment is included. Stand-up paddleboarding is also included, though the exact amount of equipment available is not specified. If several people in your group want to use the paddleboard at once, ask the provider how the equipment is arranged.

The islands are best appreciated as a water stop rather than a sightseeing circuit. You are not promised a guided walk or a visit to every shore. The value comes from the time spent anchored in a beautiful setting, with the freedom to swim, paddle, snorkel, photograph, or simply sit on deck.

Bring your own towel, beachwear, hat, and biodegradable sunscreen. Towels are not supplied. Biodegradable sunscreen is a sensible choice around a marine setting and should be applied before you leave the port, then reapplied as needed.

A Provençal aperitif on deck

Food and drink help make this more than a boat transfer. Depending on the package you select, you receive an aperitif, light lunch, or snacks. The included drinks are water, soft drinks, and rosé wine from Provence.

The food described from recent outings is generous for a boat day: tapenade, cold meats, cheeses, fruit, pastries, and other local products. Hubert has also prepared tapenades and served a cold platter for families. You should still check which food option applies to your selected package, since the exact meal is not the same for every booking.

The aperitif is served while the boat is anchored or during a relaxed part of the trip. It gives the day a local touch without turning lunch into a formal event. You are tasting familiar Provençal flavors in the place where they make the most sense, with the coast and islands around you.

Alcohol service is included for adults, but the soft drinks and water make the outing workable for families. If anyone in your group has allergies or special dietary needs, ask before departure. The supplied information does not promise vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-specific menus.

Returning along the Riviera coast

For the return to Cannes, the crew may sail along the coast or pass by nearby beaches. The choice depends on weather and your preferences. This flexible return is useful because the outward and homeward legs do not have to feel identical.

If the wind is favorable, the sail can be the quietest part of the day. If not, motor travel keeps the schedule reliable. You can also use the return for photographs, conversation, or one last drink rather than trying to squeeze in another activity.

The boat returns to Esplanade Pantiero. Since hotel transfers are not included, plan your onward walk, taxi, or other transport from the port. The central location makes this fairly simple for people staying in Cannes, but it is still something to arrange in advance if you are traveling with children or carrying wet gear.

What the €1,356 group price really buys

The listed price is $1,356 for a private group of up to eight people. That price includes the boat, fuel, port fees, final cleaning, soft drinks, Provençal rosé, snorkeling equipment, paddleboarding, and the chosen food option.

The mandatory €350 skipper charge is separate and paid at the port. This is not a small detail. For a group of eight, the extra cost is spread across several people. For two or three passengers, it changes the value calculation considerably.

The outing makes the strongest financial sense when you fill most of the eight available places. A group of friends can treat it as a private day charter, with no per-person charge for the boat activities or equipment. A couple may still find it worthwhile for privacy and flexibility, but should compare the total against shared boat excursions in Cannes.

The boat’s modern design and private use support the higher price. You are paying for control over the group, a better setting for a celebration, and time at anchor rather than simply a short coastal ride. Still, this is not the best choice if you want a low-cost introduction to the Riviera by sea.

Who will enjoy this private boat day

This outing is a strong match for families. The water activities are optional, the group remains together, and Hubert’s attentive style has worked well for family groups. Parents should note that children must not be left unaccompanied, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

It also suits groups of friends. One booking included seven women who used the swimming equipment, enjoyed rosé and pastries, and received a drone video of the day. The drone video is not listed as a guaranteed inclusion, so treat that as something that may depend on the crew and the day rather than a promised feature.

Couples and small groups may appreciate the quiet, private format, but the price is easier to justify with more people aboard. If your main goal is nightlife, shopping, or a guided land tour, this will take up a large part of your day away from Cannes.

You should also be comfortable around water and able to board a boat without wheelchair access. The boat includes an interior, but use of the interior cabins is not included. Plan to spend the outing mainly on deck and in the open air.

Practical details that matter

The available guide languages are English, French, and Italian. Hubert is named as the skipper in the recent experiences, with an assistant present on at least one outing. A certified professional skipper is required by the booking terms, and the €350 fee is paid on site.

The boat trip is private, and the booking can accommodate up to eight people. Non-folding strollers are not allowed, which may affect families with young children. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while arranging a Riviera trip. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building other Cannes plans around it.

Pack lightly. You need beachwear, a towel, a hat, and biodegradable sunscreen. Bring a waterproof pouch if you want to protect a phone or camera, though one is not supplied or listed as included.

Should you book the Lérins Islands sailing tour?

Book it if you want a private day on the water, have a group large enough to share the cost, and care more about swimming and relaxed time at anchor than a formal sightseeing program. The combination of Georgette, the Lérins Islands, water equipment, and a Provençal spread gives the day a clear sense of place.

I would be especially inclined to book for a family celebration or a group of friends. Hubert’s personal attention, the food, and the easy choice between swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and resting are the strongest parts of the experience.

Think twice if you are traveling on a tight budget, need wheelchair access, or want a fully fixed schedule. Confirm the duration, food package, skipper fee, and available equipment before booking. With those points clear, this is one of the more appealing ways to turn a Cannes stay into a proper day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

Meet at the port entrance barrier near Esplanade Pantiero in Cannes Old Port. The departure point is in the city center.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration ranges from 210 minutes to five hours. The longer program allows about one hour to reach the islands, four hours there, and one hour to return.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to eight people.

Is the professional skipper included in the price?

No. A certified professional skipper is mandatory, and the €350 fee is paid on site.

What activities are available at the Lérins Islands?

You can swim, snorkel, use a stand-up paddleboard, take photographs, enjoy the aperitif, or relax in the sun.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. The inclusions list water, soft drinks, Provençal rosé, and snacks, a light lunch, or an aperitif depending on the package selected.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear. Bath towels are not provided.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. Non-folding strollers are also not allowed, and minors may not attend unaccompanied.