Private escape to discover Cannes & Lerins islands by boat

The best part of this private Cannes cruise is the freedom to trade the busy Croisette for clear water around the Lérins Islands. You can anchor for a swim, snorkel near the underwater statues, paddle, or simply stretch out on the boat with a drink.

I like the large bowrider, which gives a group of up to 11 people room to sit and sunbathe. I also like the easygoing setup: water, wine, snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, shade, and an optional Seabob are all ready for a half-day on the Mediterranean.

The main catch is cost clarity. The advertised group price is $979, but the captain fee is listed both as €150 and €300 in the supplied details. Confirm the final amount before booking, especially if you add the Seabob.

Key Points at a Glance

• Private boat for up to 11 passengers: You get the whole boat rather than sharing with a larger public group.
• Four hours around the Lérins Islands: The cruise includes fuel to reach the islands, with time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Underwater statues near Sainte-Marguerite: The underwater museum gives your swim a clear purpose beyond simply floating in the sea.
• Paolo is the skipper to know: He is named in several bookings and is praised for being helpful, friendly, and attentive.
• Water toys and refreshments included: Use the paddleboard and snorkeling equipment, with bottled water and a bottle of wine aboard.
• Optional Seabob for €150: Add the underwater scooter if you want a faster, more active way to explore the water.

Leaving Cannes From Port Pierre Canto

Your meeting point is Port Pierre Canto, at the eastern end of the Croisette. That location matters because you are already near Cannes’s famous waterfront, but the marina can take a little effort to find. One booking specifically described the meeting point as slightly confusing, so allow extra time and look carefully for the exact boarding instructions.

The boat is a new, spacious bowrider designed for private use. It can carry up to 11 passengers, making this a practical choice for a family group, a birthday gathering, or a bachelor or bachelorette party. You are not paying for separate seats on a shared excursion. You are reserving the boat and its onboard space for your own group.

That setup changes the feel of the trip. You can chat with your friends, choose where to sit, and decide how much time to spend in the water. At the same time, the boat is still limited to four hours unless you arrange a longer rental, so do not expect a full-day island outing at the base duration.

The front and back areas are set up for sunbathing, and a canopy offers shade when the Riviera sun gets strong. A high-end Bluetooth audio system is also available, which suits a celebration or a relaxed afternoon with your own music.

A Comfortable Boat for a Group of 11

The strongest practical feature here is space. A group of 11 can be difficult to manage on a small speedboat, where every bag and pair of feet competes for room. This bowrider is described as elegant and spacious, with seating and sunbathing areas at both ends.

I would still think about group size before booking. Eleven is the maximum, not necessarily the most relaxed number for everyone. A group of six to eight should have more room to spread out, while 11 people will need to share the available seating and water toys.

The boat has a cooler stocked with water and wine. You can also bring your own drinks and snacks, which is useful because four hours on the water can make even a light outing feel long without food. An optional lunch can be arranged on an island or aboard, but the supplied details do not state the menu, price, or exact location. Ask for those details if lunch is important to your plans.

This is not a bare boat rental. Fuel for the Lérins Islands, a paddleboard, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and a bottle of wine are included. Those inclusions help, though you should still compare the total price after adding the skipper fee and any optional extras.

Reaching the Lérins Islands

The cruise heads from Cannes toward the Lérins Islands, a group of islands just offshore. The route gives you a change of pace from the city, with open water, island views, and several possible stops packed into a four-hour window.

The plan is flexible enough for different kinds of groups. You can spend more time swimming, use the paddleboard, look for the underwater statues, or pause near the historic Iron Mask Prison and Île des Moines. The exact order and length of each stop depends on the skipper and conditions on the day.

The four-hour duration is well suited to people who want a taste of boating without giving up an entire day. It is also a good fit at the end of a Cannes holiday. One family with two adults and a 20-month-old child found the outing worked well as the final activity of their trip, which suggests the private format can be useful when you want a calm group experience instead of a demanding excursion.

Still, time moves quickly once you include the trip from Cannes, anchoring, swimming, and returning to port. If you want a long island lunch, extended snorkeling, and several stops, ask whether a longer rental is available.

Swimming Near the Underwater Museum

The underwater museum is the most distinctive stop on this cruise. Statues sit below the surface near the Lérins Islands, giving you something to look for while snorkeling instead of simply swimming around the boat.

You receive snorkeling gear and a mask as part of the outing. The water is described as clear, so you may be able to see the sculptures from the surface or while swimming closer to them. Visibility can vary with sea conditions, and the supplied information does not promise a specific number of statues or a guided underwater talk.

The experience is best understood as a casual snorkeling stop rather than a formal museum tour. You will not be walking through galleries or following a fixed educational route. Instead, you can enter the water, look around, and return to the boat when you have had enough.

That flexibility is useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time exploring, while others can stay aboard, use the paddleboard, or enjoy the shade. If you have young children or anyone who does not swim confidently, ask the skipper about the safest way to use the equipment before getting in.

The Iron Mask Prison and Île des Moines

The cruise also takes in the historic Iron Mask Prison and peaceful Île des Moines. These stops add context to the island setting, but the details provided do not specify whether you go ashore, receive a guided explanation, or view them only from the water.

That distinction is worth checking. If you are hoping to walk around a historic site, ask before booking. If your priority is simply to see the islands from a private boat, the route still gives you a pleasant mix of scenery and history without requiring a long shore visit.

Île des Moines is presented as a quiet part of the outing, a useful contrast to the activity around the boat. You can anchor, swim, snorkel, or remain on deck. The private format means your group can set the tone, within the limits of the four-hour schedule and the skipper’s judgment.

I like this combination because the trip is not only a fast ride along the coast. It includes a few recognizable points of interest, but it leaves enough room for the main pleasure of being on the sea.

Paddleboarding, Snorkeling, and the Optional Seabob

The included paddleboard gives you an easy way to stay active without paying an extra fee. You can use it near the anchored boat, assuming conditions allow and the skipper approves the location. It is a good choice for people who want more than a swim but do not need a high-speed activity.

The snorkeling gear is also included. Bring your own swimsuit and any personal equipment you prefer, but the basic mask and snorkel are provided. The activity description does not list towels, so plan accordingly.

For an extra €150, you can add a Seabob, an underwater scooter that lets you move through the water with more speed. This is the most action-focused option on the boat and may appeal to adults or older children who want something different from paddleboarding.

The Seabob is optional, and the price is separate from both the group booking and captain fee. Ask whether one Seabob is shared among the group or available for a set period, since the supplied details do not explain the rental arrangement.

What Paolo Adds to the Cruise

Paolo is the skipper named in the available booking information. Several recent bookings specifically praised his care and attitude, describing him as friendly, helpful, and involved in making the outing run well.

That matters on a private boat. A skipper is not just someone who steers. You may rely on him to help with the paddleboard, snorkeling gear, anchoring, and general timing. One family with a very young child found that his care helped make the trip comfortable, while another group described him as the best part of the day.

The listed operating languages are French and English. Paolo is named in the comments, but you should confirm that he will be your skipper when you reserve. The provider is LEOBOAT.

A small practical warning: finding Port Pierre Canto may take some extra attention. Get the exact meeting instructions in advance, and do not cut it close. Once aboard, the experience appears to run smoothly, but the start can be less simple than the cruise itself.

Price, Captain Fee, and Group Value

The advertised price is $979 per group of up to 11 people. For a full group, that works out to roughly $89 per person before the captain fee, although the final total depends on the exchange rate and the fee charged.

The supplied pricing information gives two different captain fees. One section lists €150, while the important information states an additional €300. Treat €300 as the amount to verify, not as a confirmed final charge. Contact LEOBOAT before payment so you know the complete cost.

Fuel for the Lérins Islands is included, as are water, wine, snorkeling gear, and the paddleboard. Those extras make the price easier to justify for a large group, since you are not arranging a separate boat, fuel payment, or equipment hire.

The value is strongest when you fill much of the boat. A couple or a small family may find the total high compared with a shared cruise. A group celebrating together can spread the cost across several people and gain privacy, flexibility, and room for personal snacks and music.

The Seabob costs another €150. Lunch is also optional, but no price is provided. Ask for a complete quote that includes the captain, Seabob, lunch, and any longer rental time you are considering.

Who Should Book This Cannes Boat Trip?

I would choose this cruise for a group that wants time on the water without the structure of a large public tour. It fits families, couples traveling with friends, birthday groups, and party groups that want music, drinks, and a private setting.

It also suits a mixed-age group because not everyone has to snorkel. Some people can use the paddleboard, some can swim, and others can stay aboard under the canopy. The family booking with a 20-month-old child is a useful example of how a private boat can give parents more control than a fixed group excursion.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a formal historical tour, a long island walk, or a detailed marine-life program. The supplied details focus on swimming, boating, and casual sightseeing. The underwater statues are the clearest special feature, but this is not presented as a specialist archaeological or nature tour.

Book it if the private setting matters to you and your group can share the cost. Skip it if you prefer a low-cost shared boat, dislike swimming activities, or want every stop and shore visit fixed in advance.

The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Confirm the captain fee, meeting instructions, lunch arrangements, and Seabob terms before finalizing the booking.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Port Pierre Canto on the Croisette in Cannes.

How long is the cruise?

The standard experience lasts four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate up to 11 passengers.

Is the skipper included in the advertised price?

The supplied details list the skipper as an additional charge. One section says €150, while another states €300, so confirm the correct fee with LEOBOAT before booking.

Is fuel included?

Yes. Fuel for the trip to the Lérins Islands is included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and a mask are included.

Is a paddleboard available?

Yes. A SUP paddleboard is included in the rental.

Are drinks included?

A bottle of water and a bottle of wine are included. You may also bring your own drinks and snacks.

What does the Seabob cost?

The optional Seabob experience costs €150.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.