Private sailing excursion & Provencal picnic

From Cannes, this private sailing day takes you across to the Lerins Islands, where the pace is set by the wind, the sea, and your own group. Maxime, the skipper, may teach you basic sailing and knots, then anchor near Sainte-Marguerite for swimming, snorkeling, an island walk, and a Provençal lunch.

I like the flexible format and the food, especially the homemade anchovy cream and tzatziki served with vegetables and bread. The main consideration is that this is a full day on the water, with a moderate physical requirement, possible crowds around the islands in July and August, and less sailing if the wind is weak.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for your group: You are not sharing the excursion with strangers, and the day can be shaped around sailing, swimming, snorkeling, or exploring.
• Maxime is an active skipper: He may explain sailing basics, knots, the boat, and the area rather than simply steering you from one stop to another.
• Sainte-Marguerite is the main setting: You can anchor or dock for lunch, swim in clear water, walk on the island, and visit the free underwater eco-museum.
• The picnic is part of the experience: Expect vegetables, baguette, anchovy sauce, homemade tzatziki, drinks, and one bottle of rosé for adults over 18.
• The boat is called Mambo 2: It is a sailing boat rather than a fast sightseeing craft, so the day has a slow, easy rhythm.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while light wind may mean more time swimming than sailing.

From Cannes harbor to the Lerins Islands

You meet at the Esplanade Pantiero beside Cannes’ Old Port, at the Jetée Albert Edouard area. This is a useful starting point because you begin close to the center of Cannes, then leave the waterfront behind almost at once.

The first sailing stretch takes about an hour. It is not just transport to the next stop. You get views back toward Cannes and time to settle into the boat before the longer stop at Sainte-Marguerite.

The sailing boat, identified in the experience details as Mambo 2, gives the outing a quieter feel than a high-speed boat tour. You might be asked if you want to learn some basic sailing or help with simple tasks. Maxime has also taught guests how to tie knots, which adds a small hands-on element without turning the excursion into a formal lesson.

I like this part for travelers who want to slow down. The boat lets the journey become part of the day instead of treating it as a quick transfer. The tradeoff is simple: sailing depends on the wind. One outing may include plenty of moving under sail, while another may spend more time motoring, swimming, or sitting at anchor.

Sainte-Marguerite Island gives the day its character

Sainte-Marguerite is the main stop, with about four hours set aside for the island and the surrounding water. That is enough time to combine several activities without rushing from one to the next.

You may stop at the dock or remain at anchor for lunch. The exact setup can depend on conditions and on what your group prefers. This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private trip rather than a fixed group cruise.

The island gives you a choice of land and sea. You can walk around part of Sainte-Marguerite, return to the boat for a swim, or use the supplied mask and snorkeling equipment near the island. The water is described as clear, and the snorkeling gives you a chance to see fish close to shore.

There is also a free underwater eco-museum behind the island. Masks are included, so you do not need to bring your own equipment for that visit. The information supplied does not promise a guided museum tour, so think of it as an optional self-directed stop in the water rather than a formal museum presentation.

High-season timing matters. July and August bring more traffic around the visited sites, so the calmest version of this outing is less likely during the busiest summer weeks. Even then, a private boat gives you more say over the rhythm of your day, although it cannot remove the other boats from the area.

Swimming, snorkeling, and time at anchor

The water time is a major part of the appeal. The boat includes snorkeling equipment, a mask, and a bath towel, so you can move from lunch to a swim without packing a full set of beach gear.

You should expect a day built around repeated choices: stay aboard, swim, snorkel, walk on Sainte-Marguerite, or learn a little about sailing. Some groups have spent time in the water twice, while others have focused more on the island or sailing.

I like that the schedule does not force you to choose only one activity. If you are traveling with a partner or friends who have different interests, one person can swim while another relaxes on board. The private format makes that easier than a group excursion where everyone must follow the same timetable.

The limitation is the physical side. The trip calls for a moderate level of fitness, and getting in and out of a boat, swimming, snorkeling, and walking on the island all require some mobility. If you suffer from seasickness, bring your own medication. Sunscreen is not included, so pack it, along with any other personal items you need for several hours outdoors.

A Provençal picnic with anchovy sauce and rosé

The lunch is more distinctive than a generic packed meal. You receive vegetables with anchovy sauce and tzatziki, with fresh bread or baguette appearing in the meal details. The sauces are homemade, and Maxime has shared the recipes with people interested in the food.

This is a good match for the setting. You eat on the boat or at the dock, with time to linger instead of sitting down for a rushed restaurant meal. The food is simple, local in spirit, and suited to a warm day by the water.

The anchovy sauce is worth noting. If you enjoy savory Mediterranean flavors, it adds a strong Provençal touch. If anchovies are not your thing, the tzatziki and vegetables give you another option, and the operator welcomes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dietary requirements. You should provide those requirements when booking so the meal can be arranged properly.

A bottle of rosé is included for people over 18. The meal also includes beverages, but the supplied details do not specify every drink. Since this is a private outing, the picnic can feel like a long, relaxed lunch rather than a scheduled meal break.

Maxime’s role makes the trip feel personal

The skipper is Maxime, also referred to in one response as Maximilian. His role goes beyond handling the boat. He can explain the basics of sailing, answer questions about the boat and the region, and adjust the day around your interests.

That matters because this is not sold as a large cruise with a fixed script. If you want more sailing, you can ask about it. If you prefer swimming and relaxing, the day can lean that way. If the wind is not cooperating, the outing can still work because the islands and water activities remain part of the plan.

The experience has also been used for special occasions. A birthday outing included extra attention from Maxime, and one group received an additional hour aboard and an offer to stop for ice cream. Those extras should not be treated as guaranteed inclusions, but they show the kind of personal approach you might find on a private booking.

The boat is also a good setting for first-time sailors. You do not need prior sailing experience, and Maxime is described as patient when explaining how the boat works. Still, the focus is on a pleasant day rather than a complete sailing course. Book it for the atmosphere and the chance to try the basics, not for formal certification or advanced instruction.

What the $138 price includes

At about $138.17 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Sainte-Marguerite. You are paying for a five- to six-hour private activity, a skipper, fuel, lunch, rosé for adults, snorkeling gear, a mask, and a towel.

The value improves when you are traveling as a small private group and would otherwise need to combine a boat transfer, a meal, equipment rental, and time at the island. You also get control over the balance between sailing, swimming, and walking, which is difficult to price in a standard point-to-point ferry trip.

The price makes less sense if your only goal is to visit the island cheaply. A ferry-style visit may cost less, but it will not include a private skipper, a meal on board, equipment, or the same ability to linger in a quiet cove.

For a couple, close friends, or a family that wants a shared day rather than separate activities, the cost can be reasonable. The final value depends on how much you use the boat. If you spend most of the time swimming, learning about sailing, enjoying lunch, and exploring the island, the package offers more than simple transport.

Who will enjoy this private sailing day

I would point this experience toward people who want a relaxed outdoor day and like having choices. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families who can handle a moderate level of activity.

It is especially good for:

• First-time sailors who want a gentle introduction
• People who prefer private experiences to large group tours
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want several hours near the islands
• Food lovers who enjoy simple Provençal flavors
• Visitors marking a birthday or another special occasion
• Anyone who wants to see the Lerins Islands without rushing

It is less suitable if you want a tightly timed sightseeing program, a formal island history tour, or guaranteed strong sailing conditions. The day follows the weather and the preferences of your group. That freedom is a benefit, but it also means the experience is not identical every time.

Timing, weather, and practical details

The total length is about five to six hours. The first sailing segment takes roughly one hour, followed by about four hours around Sainte-Marguerite. The tour returns to the same Cannes meeting point at the end.

The activity is offered in English and is close to public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking. Since the meeting point is at the Esplanade Pantiero on the Cannes waterfront, allow enough time to find the correct part of the harbor before departure.

Bring sunscreen, since it is not included. You should also bring any seasickness medication you normally use, as the operator specifically advises this for people who are prone to motion sickness.

Dietary requirements are accepted, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests. The trip is private, so only your own group participates. That is useful if you need to set a slower pace or want to keep the day focused on swimming rather than walking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded. The outing requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants, and if the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Lerins Islands sailing trip?

Book it if you want a flexible day on the water, not just a ride to Sainte-Marguerite. The strongest parts are Maxime’s personal approach, the chance to learn basic sailing, the clear-water swimming and snorkeling, and the unusually memorable lunch with homemade sauces.

Think twice if you dislike boats, need a fully predictable schedule, or want to spend the day sightseeing on land. Wind and summer crowds can change the balance of the outing, and you will need to bring sunscreen and manage your own seasickness needs.

For most people who enjoy the sea, the price is justified by the private boat, included meal, equipment, and freedom to shape the day. If your ideal French Riviera outing includes rosé, a swim, a quiet meal, and an island reached under sail, this is a strong choice from Cannes.

FAQ

Where does the sailing excursion begin?

It begins at the Esplanade Pantiero, Promenade de la Pantiero, 06400 Cannes, France, near the Old Port and Jetée Albert Edouard.

Where does the excursion end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point in Cannes.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately five to six hours. The sailing portion to the Lerins Islands takes about one hour, and around four hours are allocated to Sainte-Marguerite Island.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a diving mask, and a bath towel are included.

What food is included?

Lunch includes vegetables served with anchovy sauce and tzatziki. Fresh bread or baguette is also included in the meal details.

Is wine included?

Yes. One bottle of rosé is included for people over 18 years of age.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience may be canceled if the weather is unsuitable. You will then be offered a different date or a full refund.