Cannes: Private sailing tour to the Lerins Islands

The best part of this trip is the quick change of scene. You leave the Old Port of Cannes, with the Palais des Festivals and Croisette behind you, then spend most of the outing on the water around the Lérins Islands, where the plan is simple: sail, swim, snorkel, and relax.

I like the private format, since your group of up to eight does not share the boat with strangers. I also like the easy, well-equipped setup: drinks, snorkeling gear, a restroom, and the entrance fee are included. The main catch is the extra €350 skipper fee, paid on site and not included in the advertised booking price.

Key points

• Three hours around the Lérins Islands: Most of the 3.5-hour trip is reserved for swimming, snorkeling, and time on the water.
• Private boat for up to eight people: You get the sailboat to yourselves, which suits families, couples, and small groups.
• Departure from Cannes Old Port: You sail out from the center of Cannes, facing the Palais des Festivals.
• Skipper fee is extra: A professional skipper is mandatory and costs €350 per booking, payable directly on site.
• Drinks and snorkeling gear included: Soda, alcoholic beverages, fuel surcharge, and onboard restroom access are included.
• A calm break after sightseeing: The trip is especially useful when you want a restful half-day away from city streets and museum visits.

Leaving Cannes Old Port for the Lérins Islands

Your meeting point is in the Old Port of Cannes, identified by the location code G2X7+GG Cannes. The departure area faces the Palais des Festivals, so you are starting in one of the city’s most recognizable spots, close to the Croisette and its line of large yachts.

The first stretch takes about 20 minutes. That is enough time to settle aboard, get comfortable, and watch Cannes recede from the water. You are not spending half the tour on a long transfer. The islands are the main event, and the short crossing leaves roughly three hours for the relaxed part of the outing.

This setting gives the trip more character than a generic harbor cruise. You begin among Cannes landmarks, then move into open Mediterranean water and the island setting of Lérins. The contrast is the point: polished resort city first, quieter water time shortly after.

The boat is described as an elegant sailboat called Georgette. One highly favorable account identifies Hubert as the skipper and describes the day as especially relaxing after a week of sightseeing. Since a professional skipper is supplied for every booking, you should expect a crewed trip rather than a bareboat rental, though the individual skipper may vary.

Three hours to swim, snorkel, and slow down

At the Lérins Islands, the schedule is deliberately loose. The listed plan allows about three hours for sailing, swimming, relaxation, and discovery around the islands. You are not being hurried from one fixed stop to another, and no packed sightseeing program is described.

That makes this a good choice if you want the sea to set the pace. You can use the time for a swim, try the supplied snorkeling equipment, sit back with a drink, or enjoy the views from the boat. The experience is less about checking off landmarks and more about having a sunny break in the Mediterranean.

The snorkeling gear matters because you do not need to arrange equipment separately. Still, keep your expectations sensible. The information provided does not promise guided snorkeling, underwater wildlife, a particular cove, or a specific island walk. You are paying for private time around Lérins, not a specialist marine excursion.

Swimming is also weather dependent. The trip requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy is useful protection, but it also tells you something about the experience: this is an outdoor water trip, not an attraction that works equally well in every forecast.

What the private format changes

A private booking for up to eight people can be good value when you fill most of the available places. The listed price is $1,384.73 per group, not per person. At eight people, that works out to about $173.09 each before the skipper fee. Add the mandatory €350 fee, and the group total becomes $1,384.73 plus €350, with the exact per-person amount depending on the exchange rate.

That extra fee is the cost detail you need to notice before booking. The skipper is mandatory, supplied for the trip, and paid directly on site. The advertised price does not cover it. For a full group, the added amount is easier to absorb. For two or three people, the same fixed charge makes the outing much more expensive per person.

The private setup gives you more control over the feel of the day. You are not joining a large group with a fixed social mix, and you can spend the island time in your own rhythm. That is a real advantage for a family with children, a group of friends, or a couple marking a special day.

It is less compelling if you are alone or mainly want the cheapest way to reach the islands. A shared boat, if available elsewhere, would likely spread the fixed skipper cost across more people. Here, you are paying for privacy and space as much as for transportation.

Drinks, equipment, and the practical comforts

Soda and alcoholic beverages are included, which makes the outing feel self-contained. You do not need to plan a separate drink stop during the three hours around the islands. The fuel surcharge is also included, so there is no separate fuel line added to the booking price.

An onboard restroom is another small but useful feature. Once you are away from Cannes, you cannot simply step ashore whenever needed. The restroom is especially helpful for families and anyone who prefers not to plan the trip around a shore stop.

Snorkeling equipment is provided. You will need to bring your own towel, since towels are not included. Cabins are also not available for use, so think of this as an open-deck sailing outing rather than a boat with a private indoor space.

The available information does not specify food or a full meal. If you need lunch, snacks, or something beyond the listed soda and alcoholic drinks, confirm what you may bring before departure. Do not assume that the included beverages amount to a catered meal.

A restful choice after Cannes sightseeing

This trip works particularly well as a change of pace. Cannes can fill a day with promenades, shopping, port views, and event venues. After several days of city sightseeing, three hours on the water can feel like a sensible reset rather than another scheduled tour.

The strongest praise connected with the experience focuses on relaxation. A day aboard Georgette was described as a perfect break after a week of sightseeing, with Hubert creating a fun and pleasant setting. That fits the design of the trip: there is no pressure to collect facts, rush through several sites, or keep moving once you reach the islands.

You should book it with the right idea in mind. The experience is not presented as a historical tour of Lérins, and no detailed island commentary is promised. You will get time in and around the islands, but the main pleasure is being on the sea.

If your group wants a guide-led history program, a long coastal cruise, or a full-day excursion, this may feel too short. If you want an uncomplicated private break with swimming and drinks, the 3.5-hour length is sensible. It gives you a proper water outing without taking over the whole day.

Who will get the most from this sailing trip

I would put this near the top of the list for:

• Small private groups: Up to eight people can share the fixed boat price.
• Families and friends: The private setting keeps the outing within your own group.
• Couples wanting a special half-day: A private sail from Cannes feels more personal than a standard transfer.
• People who enjoy swimming and snorkeling: The main island time is built around water activities.
• Sightseeing-heavy itineraries: The relaxed pace gives your schedule a welcome change.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water activities, need a towel supplied, or expect a cabin. I would also compare the final cost carefully if you have fewer than four people, since the mandatory €350 skipper charge does not shrink with group size.

The experience is listed as suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, which helps with access to the Cannes meeting point. Still, the boat setting and swimming focus mean you should consider your group’s comfort with getting around on a sailboat before paying.

Timing, confirmation, and cancellation details

The trip lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. About 20 minutes is assigned to the departure from Cannes, while around three hours are devoted to the Lérins Islands.

It is often booked well in advance, with an average lead time of 103 days. That does not guarantee that every date will sell out, but it is a useful signal if your Riviera schedule is fixed. Private boats have limited capacity, and a group that needs a particular day should not leave this until the last minute.

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within four hours of departure, confirmation arrives as soon as possible and depends on availability. The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Cannes.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. All cutoffs use local time. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund, which is the fair policy for a sailing outing.

Is the €350 skipper fee worth it?

The extra fee is easy to miss, so I would make it part of your first price calculation. You are not simply booking a $1,384.73 private boat. You are booking that group price plus €350 for the mandatory professional skipper.

For a full group of eight, the cost is easier to justify. You have a private sailboat, three hours around Lérins, drinks, snorkeling gear, a restroom, and fuel included. The total becomes a shared experience rather than a large bill carried by one or two people.

For a smaller group, value depends on how much privacy matters to you. If your priority is the lowest possible price, this is not the obvious pick. If you want your own boat, your own companions, and a slow afternoon with no strangers aboard, the fixed cost buys something real.

I also like that the skipper fee is clear in the practical details, even though it is not part of the headline price. Treat the two charges as one trip cost when comparing options. That prevents an unpleasant surprise at the port.

Should you book this Cannes sailing trip?

Book it if you want a private, water-focused break from Cannes and your group can share the fixed cost. The short ride from the Old Port, three hours around the Lérins Islands, included snorkeling equipment, drinks, and onboard restroom make the outing easy to enjoy without much planning.

I would especially choose it after several busy days on the French Riviera. The strongest appeal is the relaxed mood, not a packed list of sights. Just remember the €350 skipper fee, bring a towel, and check the weather before you go.

If you want history, a full meal, cabins, or a bargain shared cruise, choose another option. If you want a private sail with time to swim and unwind, this is a well-focused half-day experience.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip depart?

It departs from the Old Port of Cannes, facing the Palais des Festivals. The meeting point is identified as G2X7+GG Cannes.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. About 20 minutes is allocated to leaving Cannes, followed by about three hours around the Lérins Islands.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat can accommodate up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Is the skipper included in the price?

A professional skipper is mandatory and is provided for the experience, but the €350 fee is not included in the booking price. It is paid directly on site per booking.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included. An onboard restroom and the fuel surcharge are also included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. Cabins are also not available for use.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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