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

The best part of this Cannes outing is simple: you leave the crowded waterfront behind and spend half a day choosing your own pace on the Mediterranean. Micka, also called Michael, takes you to the Lérins Islands for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and an underwater museum visit, then brings you back along the Croisette.

I like the private setting, since your group of up to six does not share the boat with strangers. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, an underwater scooter, snacks, water, soft drinks, and wine. The main point to check is the price. The advertised rate is per group, but the €300 skipper fee is paid separately on the boat.

Key things to know before you book

• Four hours on the water: The trip gives you enough time for several swimming stops without taking up a full day.
• Made for active groups: Snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, and the underwater scooter are central to the outing.
• Private boat for up to six: You control the pace more than you would on a large shared cruise.
• Two different islands: Sainte-Marguerite offers coves and swimming, while Saint-Honorat brings a quieter, more historic stop.
• Best in warm, calm weather: Wind can change the route or timing, and the water may feel chilly in May or early June.
• Budget carefully: The listed price does not include the €300 skipper fee.

Leaving Cannes from Port Pierre Canto

Your meeting point is Port Pierre Canto, at the eastern end of the Croisette. The boat returns to the same place after the outing, which makes this easy to fit into a day in Cannes.

Port Pierre Canto is a useful starting point because you head straight toward the islands rather than spending much of the trip on a long transfer. Before booking, confirm the pickup port carefully. One booking had to be moved because of port works, creating confusion for a passenger arriving from a cruise ship. The alternate port was described as a short walk away, but the complaint shows why you should check the final meeting details rather than rely only on an old reservation.

Micka is the skipper and host. His communication in English is described as clear, and he has adjusted plans for wind, motion sickness, family needs, and different comfort levels. That flexibility matters on a private boat. You are not locked into a fixed group schedule, though the final route still depends on sea conditions.

The boat has been described as clean, spacious, and well equipped for groups of four, with room for up to six people. Families, couples, and small groups of friends all fit the format. Children under three are not accepted.

The first view of Cannes from the water

The opening and closing portions of the outing include about 30 minutes along Cannes and the Croisette. From offshore, the city presents a different face. You see the famous avenue, its hotels, and the shoreline from the water instead of from pavement crowded with cars and pedestrians.

This is more than a transfer. It gives you a good sense of how Cannes is arranged, with the Croisette curving along the bay and the islands sitting just offshore. Bring a phone or camera if you want pictures, since several parts of the trip offer wide views back toward the city.

The sea view also changes your sense of the Riviera. Cannes can feel polished and busy on land, but the boat lets you spend time in a quieter setting. The trip is not mainly a sightseeing cruise with a running commentary. Its focus is swimming and relaxed time at anchor, with local context and stories from Micka added along the way.

Snorkeling and paddleboarding near the Lérins Islands

The first major part of the trip brings you to coves around the Lérins Islands. Here you can use the supplied masks and snorkels, swim in clear water, and take the stand-up paddleboard out from the boat.

The snorkeling equipment is a useful inclusion, especially if you are traveling light. One type of mask provided combines the mask and snorkel in a way that allows underwater viewing, and the underwater scooter adds another playful option. It is particularly useful for teenagers and adults who want more than a quick swim.

The paddleboard gives you a second way to enjoy the water. You can stand and paddle if you feel energetic, or use it as a floating rest before getting back in. The range of activities makes this a good choice for a group with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can simply sit on the boat with a drink.

Do not assume the water will always feel warm. A May outing had chilly water, and an early June trip had water around 22 degrees Celsius. That is comfortable for some swimmers and too cold for others, especially if your idea of warm water comes from the Caribbean. If swimming is the main reason you are booking, check the weather and seasonal conditions close to your date.

An aperitif beside the underwater museum

The Lérins Islands stop lasts about an hour and combines water time with a relaxed aperitif. Snacks, water, soft drinks, and wine are included. Several outings also featured a cheese or charcuterie board, which turns a basic swim break into a pleasant lunch-light pause.

The underwater museum is one of the more unusual parts of the trip. You can swim near underwater works and watch fish in the clear water. This is not a conventional museum visit, since you experience it from the sea with a mask and snorkel, but that is precisely what makes it memorable.

The stop works best for people who like an unhurried rhythm. Micka has been praised for not rushing groups and for adapting the amount of activity to their wishes. You can do as much or as little as you like, within the time available.

There is a practical limit here. If nobody in your group wants to swim, snorkel, or use the paddleboard, this section may feel thin. The boat is a comfortable base, but the central appeal is being in the water rather than sitting aboard for four hours.

Sainte-Marguerite and its quiet coves

The boat then anchors in a cove near Île Sainte-Marguerite for about an hour. This is another chance to swim and, if conditions allow, jump into the water from the boat.

Sainte-Marguerite is a good place to slow down. After the equipment and activity of the first stops, the cove gives you time to float, talk, take photographs, or simply enjoy the shoreline. The route is not built around rushing from one attraction to another.

Some groups have found cliff-jumping spots in the area, but treat that as something to discuss with Micka rather than a promised part of the itinerary. Safety comes first, and you should only enter the water where the skipper says it is suitable.

Wind can affect this stop. On one outing, the captain changed the timing from afternoon to morning because the forecast looked poor. That kind of adjustment can improve the experience, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Saint-Honorat, the Île aux Moines

The final island stop is Île Saint-Honorat, also known as the Île aux Moines. The boat spends about an hour discovering this quieter island, and in some cases you may be dropped off so you can walk around.

Saint-Honorat adds a different note to the day. Sainte-Marguerite is closely tied to swimming and coves, while Saint-Honorat offers a more peaceful island visit. You may have time to explore at your own pace, and one outing included a visit to the island and the purchase of olive oil.

This stop helps keep the trip from becoming only a water-sports session. If you enjoy a little history, island atmosphere, and time on land, it gives the half-day more variety. Still, the exact amount of walking or island exploration depends on the schedule and sea conditions. Ask Micka at the start how much time will be available ashore.

Returning along the Croisette

The trip ends with the boat following the Croisette from the sea before returning to Port Pierre Canto. This is a pleasant way to finish because the return journey becomes part of the sightseeing rather than a simple ride back.

You get a fresh angle on Cannes’ grand waterfront buildings and hotels. It is also a chance to dry off, finish the snacks, and enjoy the last of the wine or soft drinks before docking.

The half-day length is well judged for most groups. Four hours gives you several stops and enough time in the water without demanding a full day in the sun. If you want a long island walk, a full meal, or extensive sightseeing, you may find the schedule too short. If you want a focused morning or afternoon away from the city, it works well.

What the price really means

The advertised price is $120.94 per group of up to six, but the separate €300 skipper fee is essential to your calculation. That means the headline rate does not represent the full cost. Confirm the total price in your booking currency and ask how the skipper payment will be handled.

Once the full cost is divided among four to six people, the private format can make good sense. You are paying for a boat reserved for your own group, rather than buying several individual seats on a large cruise. You also get equipment, fuel, snacks, wine, water, soft drinks, and the option to shape the pace around your group.

For two people, the same fee is harder to justify unless privacy is a high priority. Couples who want a special half-day, a quiet swim, or a memorable celebration may still find it worthwhile. For six people, the per-person cost becomes more attractive.

The food is modest but welcome. Think of it as an aperitif and snack service, not a full lunch. If you need a substantial meal, eat before boarding or plan one after returning to Cannes.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this outing to:

• Families with children old enough to swim and follow boat-safety instructions
• Couples looking for a private half-day on the Riviera
• Small groups who want control over swimming and sightseeing time
• Teenagers who will enjoy the paddleboard and underwater scooter
• People who prefer coves and open water to a large organized cruise
• Visitors who want Cannes views with a little island time

It is less suitable if you dislike swimming, get uncomfortable on boats, or expect a major guided history tour. The activities are flexible, but the experience is still built around the sea.

The private format is especially useful for families. A group of two adults and three children can share the boat, snacks, and equipment without having to match the pace of strangers. Couples can also ask for a slower outing, while active groups can spend more time with the paddleboard and snorkel gear.

Weather, timing, and small practical details

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

A weekday may give you a calmer outing than a busy weekend. One Tuesday trip encountered only a handful of other boats, while the previous Saturday had many more in the same area. I would choose a weekday when possible, especially in the high season.

Morning and afternoon conditions can differ. Wind was strong enough on one occasion for Micka to suggest moving an afternoon booking to the morning. If you are prone to motion sickness, tell him before departure. He has taken groups toward calmer water when needed.

Public transportation is available near the meeting point. The tour is described as suitable for most people, but children under three are not accepted. You should still be comfortable boarding a boat, swimming if you plan to use the water activities, and following the skipper’s safety directions.

My take: should you book it?

I would book this private boat trip if your ideal Cannes day includes clear water, several swims, light snacks, and an easygoing skipper who can adjust the plan. The strongest features are the private boat, the wide choice of water activities, and the mix of Sainte-Marguerite, Saint-Honorat, and the Croisette.

Before paying, confirm the €300 skipper fee, pickup point, expected water temperature, and whether your preferred time is likely to be windy. If your group is ready to swim and share the cost, this is a strong way to see the Lérins Islands. If you mainly want museums, long island walks, or warm-water swimming, choose a land-based plan instead.

FAQ

How long is the private boat experience?

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

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for your group and can accommodate up to six people.

What activities are included?

You can swim, snorkel, use the stand-up paddleboard, and use the underwater scooter. Snorkeling equipment, fuel, snacks, wine, water, and soft drinks are included.

Is the skipper fee included in the advertised price?

No. A €300 skipper fee is paid on the boat per booking.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children under three years old are not accepted. Most other participants can take part, subject to their ability to follow boat and water-safety instructions.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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