Cannes: Private Sailing Boat Tour to the Lérins Islands

From Cannes Old Port, you board Georgette, a 15-meter sailing yacht voted best yacht of the year in 2022, and head for the Lérins Islands. The best part is the change of scene: one minute you are beside Cannes’ city center, and soon you are anchored off a quiet island cove with time for swimming and paddleboarding.

I like the private format, which lets you set the mood for your own group, and I like the generous time at anchor, rather than a quick photo stop before rushing back. Hubert and his assistant also pay close attention to food, drinks, and water gear. The main catch is the extra €350 skipper fee, which is mandatory and paid on site.

Key points to know before you book

• Georgette is a 15-meter yacht with room for a private group of up to eight people.
• The Lérins Islands stop can last about four hours, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, photos, and an aperitif.
• Hubert and his assistant handle the outing, with a notably attentive approach to families and groups.
• Food and drinks are part of the experience, including Provençal rosé, soft drinks, tapenade, pastries, meats, cheeses, or fruit depending on the package.
• The €350 professional skipper fee is extra, so include it in your real trip budget.
• Bring your own towel, biodegradable sunscreen, hat, and beachwear. The boat does not provide towels.

Leaving Cannes from the Old Port

The meeting point is at the port entrance barrier on the Esplanade Pantiero, right in central Cannes. That location matters. You do not need a hotel transfer or a long ride to a distant marina. You can walk from the city center, though you should allow enough time to find the barrier and arrive ready for boarding.

Once aboard, you settle in and receive a short safety briefing. The boat is Georgette, a modern 15-meter sailboat that has been voted best yacht of the year in 2022. That gives the outing a more special feel than a basic harbor cruise, but you should still think of it as a relaxed day on the water rather than a formal luxury charter with hotel-style service.

The tour is private, so your group does not share the boat with strangers. This is especially useful for families, couples, or a group of friends who want control over the pace. You can spend more time swimming, pause for food, or simply sit in the sun without adapting to a large boat’s schedule.

A professional skipper is required. The fee is €350 per trip and is not included in the online price. This is the most important budget detail to catch before booking. If you are a full group of eight, the extra cost is easier to spread across the party. For a smaller group, it has a bigger effect on the per-person price.

The cruise toward the Lérins Islands

The first cruise takes about an hour. Depending on conditions and your preferences, Georgette may sail or use the motor. That flexibility is practical. You get the pleasure of moving through one of the French Riviera’s best-known coastal settings, but the day is not tied to perfect sailing wind.

The ride gives you a different view of Cannes. From the water, the city becomes the starting point rather than the main attraction. The pace is gentle, and the point is to enjoy the transition from the old port to the islands.

I would not book this outing mainly for a long, technical sailing lesson. No such instruction is promised. Instead, you are paying for a private boat, a scenic ride, and a day built around time in the water. That distinction helps you choose correctly. Sailors who want active participation may find the experience fairly easygoing, while anyone seeking a comfortable private day at sea should find the format appealing.

The guide languages are English, French, and Italian. Hubert is the main name connected with the outing, and an assistant may also be present. The personal attention is a real part of the experience. Hubert has been especially attentive with food, swimming equipment, and family needs, which is useful when your group includes children or people who are less confident in the water.

Four hours around the Lérins Islands

The main stop is the Lérins Islands, where the boat anchors in a cove with clear water. The scheduled island portion can last about four hours, making it the heart of the trip rather than a short stop between two cruises.

This is where the outing earns its price. You get time to choose your own rhythm. You can swim, use the snorkeling equipment, paddleboard, take photographs, or remain aboard with a drink and a plate of local food. You are not required to do every activity.

The water activities are simple but well chosen. Snorkeling gear is included, as is a stand-up paddleboard. The available equipment means you can move beyond simply sitting on the deck. The water is described as clear, and one family group enjoyed seeing fish while snorkeling. Conditions can change, of course, so do not treat a specific marine sighting as guaranteed.

The paddleboard is a good option for people who want a little movement without committing to a long excursion. It also gives groups another way to use the time at anchor. If you prefer not to swim, the boat itself remains the base for relaxing in the sun.

You should bring your own towel. Bath towels are not included, and this is the kind of small omission that can affect your comfort after swimming. Pack biodegradable sunscreen, a hat, beachwear, and anything else you need for several hours outdoors. A non-folding stroller is not allowed, and the outing is not suitable for wheelchair users.

A Provençal aperitif on the water

Food is not treated as an afterthought. The included refreshments can include chilled rosé from Provence, water, sodas, tapenade, and local products. Depending on the package, you may receive snacks, a light lunch, or an aperitif.

The food can be quite substantial. Hubert has served platters of cold meats, cheeses, and fruit, along with pastries and tapenades. That makes the boat feel more like a long French picnic than a sightseeing ride with a few packaged snacks.

The rosé fits the setting, but soft drinks and water are included too. This matters for families and for anyone who does not drink alcohol. One family group especially appreciated having plenty of soft drinks for the children.

The food package can vary, so check exactly which option you are selecting. The basic idea is clear: you will have drinks and something to eat aboard, but the exact meal should not be assumed unless your chosen package specifies it. If lunch matters to you, confirm that you selected the light-lunch option rather than only the aperitif.

I like this part because it gives the outing a local character without turning it into a formal restaurant meal. Tapenade, Provençal rosé, fruit, cheeses, and cold meats are the right kind of provisions for a sunny afternoon at anchor. You can eat slowly, swim between plates, and return to the food later.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

The water stop is designed for choice. You can swim from the yacht, put on the provided snorkeling gear, or take the paddleboard out for a short session. You can also stay dry and enjoy the view from the boat.

For families, this flexibility is valuable. The skipper can pay attention to what the group actually wants instead of following a rigid program. The experience has been especially family-friendly in practice, with attention to both sea activities and food.

For a group of friends, the private boat creates a social setting without a crowded public excursion. A group of seven women described spending the day with Hubert and his assistant, using the swimming equipment, eating rosé and pastries, and even receiving a drone video. Drone filming is mentioned as something provided for one group, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed inclusion for every departure.

The outing is not suitable for unaccompanied minors. The supplied information does not set a minimum age, so families should confirm the arrangements for their children before paying. The boat is also not suitable for wheelchair users, and the lack of included towels means you need to plan for the wet part of the day yourself.

Sailing back along the Riviera

After the island stop, you return to Cannes by boat. The route depends on your preferences and the weather. You may sail along the coast or pass near the surrounding beaches before reaching the Old Port.

This flexible return keeps the final hour from feeling like a simple repeat of the morning ride. If conditions allow, the boat can focus on sailing. If not, the motor keeps the schedule practical. The complete experience may run from about 210 minutes to five hours, so check the available departure time and the exact duration when you book.

You arrive back at the Esplanade Pantiero, close to where you started. That makes the outing easy to combine with time in central Cannes before or after the trip. Private transfers from your hotel or residence are not included, so you arrange your own way to the port.

Is the price good value?

The advertised price is $1,356 for a private group of up to eight people, but the mandatory €350 skipper fee is extra. That means the true cost is higher than the headline amount, and currency conversion will affect your final total.

At full capacity, the base price works out to about $170 per person before the skipper fee. The extra skipper cost adds roughly €44 per person for eight people. For four people, the skipper fee adds €87.50 per person. These figures are only a guide because exchange rates and the final package can change the calculation.

The value improves if you want a private boat for several hours and will use the included activities and food. A four-hour island stop gives you enough time to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, eat, and relax without making every minute feel rushed. The private format is also worth more to a family or close group than to someone who is happy joining a basic shared cruise.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to see the Lérins Islands from the water. In that case, a shorter public boat ride may meet your needs for less money. This experience makes the most sense when the boat itself, privacy, water activities, and food are central to your day.

Who will enjoy this private yacht day?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, groups of friends, and couples who want the boat to themselves. The upper limit is eight people, which is large enough for a family gathering or a small celebration without becoming an unwieldy group.

It also suits people who want a relaxed schedule. You are not signing up for a series of rushed stops. The central block of the day is spent at anchor, and you choose how much time to devote to swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, sun, and food.

The outing may be less suitable for anyone with limited mobility because wheelchair users cannot take part. It may also disappoint someone expecting a full sailing course, since the information focuses on cruising, swimming, and relaxation rather than instruction.

Children can enjoy the water equipment and soft drinks, but unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Families should also remember that the boat does not provide bath towels. Bring one for each person who plans to swim.

The three listed guide languages are English, French, and Italian. That makes the outing accessible to a broad range of visitors, and the private setup gives you a chance to communicate your group’s preferences directly.

Booking details worth checking

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your French Riviera plans are still shifting.

Check the starting time and the exact duration before you commit. The experience is described as lasting from 210 minutes to five hours, and the selected package can affect what food is served. Ask about the aperitif or light-lunch choice if eating aboard is important to your plans.

At the port, meet at the entrance barrier on the Esplanade Pantiero. Bring a hat, towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear. The skipper fee is paid on site, so keep that separate from your booking payment.

Should you book Georgette?

Book this outing if you want a private day at sea, not just a boat transfer to the islands. Georgette gives you a modern 15-meter yacht, several hours around clear water, snorkeling and paddleboarding equipment, and a relaxed Provençal meal-and-rosé setting. Hubert and his assistant add a personal touch, especially for families and groups who need help with food or activities.

Think twice if the extra €350 skipper fee strains your budget, if you only want a short coastal cruise, or if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair. For everyone else, the combination of privacy, time at anchor, water activities, and local food makes this one of the stronger full-day options from central Cannes.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

You meet at the port entrance barrier on the Esplanade Pantiero, at the Old Port of Cannes in the city center.

How long does the experience last?

The duration is listed as 210 minutes to five hours. Check availability for the exact starting time and duration offered on your date.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to eight people.

Is the skipper included in the price?

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

Which languages are available?

The activity is offered in English, French, and Italian.

What activities are available at the Lérins Islands?

You can swim, snorkel, use the stand-up paddleboard, take photographs, enjoy an aperitif, or relax aboard the yacht.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Is a paddleboard included?

Yes. Stand-up paddleboarding is included.

What food and drinks are included?

Included refreshments can include water, sodas, Provençal rosé, snacks, tapenade, and local products. Depending on the selected package, you may receive an aperitif, snacks, or a light lunch.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Bath towels are not included, so bring your own towel along with a hat, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear.