Cannes: Private Boat Trip to Lerins Islands & Cap d’Antibes

The Riviera looks best from the water. This private Cannes boat trip lets you shape the day around swimming and snorkeling, rather than follow a fixed sightseeing script. I like the small-group setting, the comfortable boat, and skipper Philippe’s warm local stories. I also like that the paddleboard, swim noodles, masks, and snorkels are already onboard.

The main catch is the price structure. The advertised cost is $342 per group of up to five, but the €200 skipper fee is paid separately on the boat, and food, drinks, and transport to the marina are extra. The boat is also limited to five passengers plus the skipper, so check your group size carefully before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Two classic Riviera stops: Cruise toward Cap d’Antibes and the Lerins Islands, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and island walks.
• A genuinely private outing: You can ask Philippe to adjust the route, add swim time, or slow down for views and photos.
• Useful water gear included: Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, life jackets, swim noodles, and drinking water are provided.
• Best value comes from the full day: The three-hour option works for a quick taste, but several people wished they had booked six hours.
• Easy to make it your own: Bring a picnic, buy food at the marina or islands, or arrange snacks, pizza, ice cream, and drinks delivered by boat.
• Important cost detail: The €200 skipper fee is not included in the advertised booking price.

Why this private Cannes boat trip works so well

The Côte d’Azur can feel crowded from the road. Cannes, Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, and the coastal roads all pull for your attention at once. On the water, you get a calmer view of the same coast, with room to sit, swim, paddle, or simply watch the shoreline slide past.

This is not a large sightseeing cruise with a set commentary and a fixed timetable. You meet a skipper, board a pilothouse boat, and decide how active you want the outing to be. Philippe has earned especially strong praise for being friendly, patient, and easy to talk with, while also sharing stories about Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Cap d’Antibes, and the islands.

I see the experience as part boat ride, part beach day, and part local tour. You can enjoy the scenery without giving up the freedom to stop in the water. That combination is the reason this trip has a perfect 5/5 rating from 101 bookings.

Starting at Camille Rayon Marina

The trip begins at Camille Rayon Marina in Golfe-Juan. The marina can be reached by car or public transport from Cannes and Antibes, but transport to and from the marina is not included. Allow time to get there, especially if you are carrying towels, food, drinks, and a change of clothes.

Your exact meeting point and start time come shortly before departure. Philippe contacts you with the boat details, meeting instructions, and current weather conditions, so check your messages before heading out. This last-minute contact is useful because boat trips depend on sea and weather conditions more than ordinary city tours do.

On board, you can expect a large cockpit with passenger seating and a table, storage space for bags, a fore-cabin, and a swimming platform. The boat also has some shade, according to the practical details shared by families who used it. That matters on a bright summer afternoon, when sitting in full sun for several hours can become tiring.

Leave the high heels at home. They are not permitted on the boat. Bring swimwear, a towel, cash, and clothing suited to the weather.

Cruising past Cap d’Antibes

Cap d’Antibes is an excellent opening stretch because it gives you a broad view of the Riviera coast. From the boat, you see the shoreline from an angle that roads and promenades cannot provide. Philippe points out areas around Antibes and Juan-les-Pins and adds local stories along the way.

This part of the trip is not just transport between swim stops. Philippe’s strongest quality is his ability to connect what you see with the area’s past and character. He has been praised for explaining the coast clearly without making the ride feel like a lecture.

You should still set your expectations correctly. The main attraction is the changing view from the sea, not a long visit ashore at Cap d’Antibes. If you want extensive time in Antibes itself, plan that separately. This tour gives you a water-level look at the coast and more time for swimming than a land-based excursion.

The private format helps here. You can ask for more time to take photos, keep cruising, or move toward the islands. Philippe has adjusted routes around interests such as sightseeing, swimming, paddleboarding, and relaxed time on board.

Crossing the Gulf of Juan to the Lerins Islands

The route then heads across the Gulf of Juan toward the Lerins Islands. The pair most relevant to this trip are Saint Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, each offering a different kind of stop.

Saint Marguerite is a good choice for a swim and a short walk. The water around the island is repeatedly praised for its clear blue color, and the boat can anchor in suitable spots so you can use the provided snorkeling gear and paddleboard. You can climb into the water from the swimming platform, float with a noodle, or paddle at an easy pace.

Saint-Honorat offers a quieter shore visit and the chance to stroll near its monastery. The island is also associated with wine made by the monks, which gives the stop a distinctive local character. You should not expect a long guided walking tour, though. The island visit is fitted into a boat day, so your time ashore depends on the route and the length of your trip.

A half-day outing can include a short walk on Saint-Honorat and a swim near Saint Marguerite, but you will have to choose your priorities. I would book six hours if seeing both islands, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and relaxing all matter to you.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

The water activities are the heart of this trip. The boat carries masks and snorkels, a stand-up paddleboard, swim noodles, and life jackets. Drinking water is included, while other food and drinks are your responsibility.

The equipment makes the outing easier for mixed groups. Confident swimmers can snorkel or paddle farther from the boat, while less confident swimmers can use a noodle and stay close to the platform. Philippe has also been praised for helping children feel comfortable in the water and explaining boat rules in a calm way.

One unusual stop mentioned by several people is the underwater museum near the Lerins Islands, where large head sculptures sit beneath the surface. It gives the snorkeling a point of interest beyond simply looking at fish and rocks. Conditions in the sea can change, so do not assume every stop will offer perfect visibility, but the area is clearly valued for its swimming water and striking underwater setting.

Bring your own towel and swimwear. You may also want a dry layer for the ride back, since wet clothing and wind can feel cool even after a warm afternoon. Cash is worth carrying for purchases at the marina, on the islands, or from boats selling food and drinks.

Building a picnic or ordering lunch on the water

Food is not included, but the arrangement is flexible. You can bring a picnic and drinks, use the storage space for bags, or buy provisions near the marina. Several people have made the outing feel special with wine, charcuterie, and other picnic food brought aboard.

Restaurants are available at the marina and on the islands. You may also see delivery boats offering pizza, snacks, ice cream, and drinks directly to boats. This is a fun Riviera touch, but availability can vary, so bring food with you if lunch is important to your plans.

I like the picnic option because it fits the private nature of the trip. You can anchor, eat slowly, and look at the coast instead of rushing to a restaurant. Just remember that food and drinks are not part of the booking price, and the skipper fee must be paid separately in cash or by whatever payment method is accepted on the boat. The supplied information specifically advises bringing cash.

Three hours or six hours?

The duration ranges from three to six hours, with availability depending on the selected start time. The three-hour option is suitable if you want a short cruise, one or two swim stops, and a look at the islands without giving up most of your day.

The half-day version has worked well for couples and families who wanted an afternoon on the water after visiting a market or sightseeing in the morning. It can include cruising, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a short island walk, but you will have less time to linger.

The six-hour trip is the better choice for most people who are making this a major day of their Riviera visit. You can see more of the coast, spend longer in the water, visit an island, stop for lunch, and still have time to relax. Several people who booked the shorter outing wished they had chosen the full day.

The longer trip is not automatically better for everyone. Young children may tire, and anyone who gets uncomfortable on boats may prefer a shorter first outing. Still, the private setting lets you slow the pace, which makes six hours more manageable than a packed group excursion.

What Philippe adds to the day

A boat can be attractive on its own, but the skipper determines much of the experience. Philippe is repeatedly praised for his local stories, good communication, patience with children, and ability to adjust the outing to the group.

He explains what you are seeing around Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, the islands, and the Côte d’Azur. He also gives clear instructions about returning to the boat after an island walk and helps people get comfortable with the paddleboard and swimming platform.

Families with young children have found him reassuring. One family with a toddler described him as especially good with the child, while another appreciated how calmly he helped a nervous ten-year-old understand the boat and enter the water. A family with three children also felt safe with him during stops around Billionaire’s Bay and Saint Marguerite.

Couples benefit from the same flexibility. You can request a quieter swim stop, more sightseeing, or extra time for photos. Philippe has also been praised for taking good pictures, which is handy when everyone wants to be in the frame.

The guide speaks English and French. His stories are a major part of the value, especially if you enjoy learning about the places you pass rather than simply taking a scenic ride.

Comfort, capacity, and practical limits

The boat is designed for a maximum of five passengers plus the skipper. That makes it a good fit for a couple, a family, or a small group of friends. A private boat for five can feel far more personal than a public cruise, and you are not sharing the swim stops with a large crowd.

The compact size also has limits. Storage is available, but you should pack lightly and keep bags organized. There is a cockpit, table, passenger seating, fore-cabin, and swimming platform, but this is not a full-size yacht with separate rooms and extensive indoor space.

The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or children under three. High heels are not allowed. Life jackets are provided, and the boat includes basic equipment for water activities, but you should tell the skipper about any concerns before departure.

The sea is the main setting, so weather matters. Philippe sends weather information before the trip, and you should read those messages carefully. Bring clothing suited to the conditions rather than assuming the entire day will be hot and still.

Is the €342 price good value?

The advertised price of $342 per group up to five looks attractive when divided among a full group. But you must add the €200 skipper fee paid on the boat, plus transport, food, and drinks. The real cost is therefore higher than the headline price.

Even so, the value can be strong for five people. You are paying for a private boat, a skipper, several hours on the Riviera, snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, life jackets, swim noodles, and the ability to set the pace. A couple will pay more per person, but they also get a private outing rather than a shared cruise.

The value improves if you use the boat for most of the day. A six-hour trip gives you time for Cap d’Antibes, the Gulf of Juan, the Lerins Islands, swimming, a walk, and lunch. For a short three-hour trip, compare the total cost with what you would pay for a simpler harbor or island excursion.

I would treat the skipper fee as part of the price, not as a minor extra. Add it before booking and decide based on the full amount. If you enjoy private experiences and plan to use the boat actively, the cost is easier to justify.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to couples who want a relaxed day away from city crowds, families who prefer a flexible schedule, and small groups who enjoy swimming and scenic cruising. It is especially good for people who want local stories along with their time on the water.

It suits active children old enough to follow boat and swimming instructions, though children under three cannot join. Philippe’s calm approach has helped nervous swimmers and younger children, but the sea remains the sea, so close supervision is still essential.

I would choose another activity if you dislike boats, want a long formal walking tour of the islands, need wheelchair access, or prefer every meal and transfer included. This trip is at its best when you want to make choices as you go.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later for the booking portion. The skipper fee is still paid separately at the boat.

Should you book it?

I would book this private Cannes boat trip if you have at least half a day and want to experience the French Riviera from the sea. The strongest reasons are the small group, the choice of swimming and island stops, and Philippe’s ability to combine local stories with a relaxed pace.

Choose six hours if your schedule allows. Choose three hours if you mainly want a swim, a short cruise, and a taste of the Lerins Islands. Just budget for the separate €200 skipper fee, bring your own food if you want a picnic, and check the final meeting details and weather message before you leave.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The trip starts at Camille Rayon Marina in Golfe-Juan, which can be reached by car or public transport from Cannes and Antibes.

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The boat accepts a maximum of five passengers plus the skipper.

Is the skipper fee included in the advertised price?

No. The €200 skipper fee must be paid at the boat.

What equipment is provided?

The boat provides snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, life jackets, swim noodles, and drinking water.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. Food and drinks are permitted onboard, and there is storage space for bags. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.