Half Day Private Yacht Charter on our Pershing 40 in Saint Tropez

Saint-Tropez rewards a change of viewpoint. This four-hour private charter takes you around the Golfe de Saint-Tropez aboard a Pershing 40, with time for swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and slow cruising past the Riviera shoreline. I like the freedom to choose a morning or afternoon departure, and I like that the captain can shape the outing around your group. The main caution is the fuel surcharge, which is not included in the advertised group price.

The boat carries up to ten people, while the listed rate of $1,802.19 covers a private group of up to eight. That makes the price easier to justify for a family or group of friends than for a couple. You also get water, soft drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and a stand-up paddleboard, though a full lunch is not part of the standard package.

Key points to know before you book

• A private Pershing 40 charter: Your group has the boat to itself, with no strangers sharing the swimming stops or music.
• Four hours on the Golfe de Saint-Tropez: The route can include Port Grimaud, Saint-Tropez, Canoubiers, the Parcs de Saint-Tropez, and Salins.
• Two useful departure choices: Morning and afternoon slots make it easier to fit the charter around sightseeing or dinner plans.
• Water time is a central part of the outing: Snorkels, paddleboards, and swimming stops are included, along with water toys mentioned by past customers.
• Captains receive especially warm praise: Scott, Eric, Steve, Peter, Tjeerd, Mark, Glen, Ian, and Niamh have all been singled out for friendly service or good communication.
• Weather and communication matter: The company requires good conditions, and the exact port meeting point is confirmed by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter.

What a Pershing 40 Adds to the Saint-Tropez Day

A private yacht changes the rhythm of a Saint-Tropez visit. Instead of looking at the sea from a crowded beach, you can leave the harbor, find a quiet place to stop, and spend part of the afternoon in the water. The yacht also gives your group a comfortable base for the entire four-hour period.

The Pershing 40 is a sleek motor yacht, and the boat itself is part of the appeal. Feedback describes it as well kept and comfortable, with a restroom onboard, a diving board, and room for swimming equipment. You can bring your own music for the trip, an especially nice touch if your group wants a relaxed soundtrack rather than a guided sightseeing program.

This is not a formal historical cruise. The main attraction is the coast, the sea, the harbor traffic, and the chance to use the boat as your own floating day room. You may hear local stories and see famous waterfront spots, but the experience is built more around enjoyment and flexibility than a long narrated tour.

The private format matters most when your group has different energy levels. Some people can swim while others stay aboard with a drink. Children can use the paddleboard when conditions allow, while adults enjoy the views. A couple can also book it, but the total price is harder to defend unless the yacht experience is a major part of your Saint-Tropez plans.

Boarding Options Around the Gulf

The charter can start from Port Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, or Marines de Cogolin. The listed starting address is Yacht Charter, 4 Impasse des Jardins, 83350 Ramatuelle, but the exact pickup location is arranged by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter.

That detail deserves attention. Saint-Tropez-area boating locations are spread around the gulf, and a port name alone may not tell you exactly where to walk. I would keep your phone available, confirm the final meeting point before the day, and allow extra time if you are driving between resorts or ports.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied information does not give a standard hotel transfer schedule or a fixed pickup radius. Treat pickup offered as something to confirm directly, not as a guaranteed door-to-dock shuttle.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. That makes it simple to continue with lunch, beach time, or an evening in Saint-Tropez, but remember that a four-hour charter does not include a full day on the water. Morning and afternoon departures are useful choices: a morning trip can leave your evening free, while an afternoon trip may suit a slower start and warmer swimming conditions.

Cruising Through the Golfe de Saint-Tropez

Once clear of the port, the boat enters the Golfe de Saint-Tropez. This broad sweep of water brings together the old town, wooded shoreline, large private yachts, and the resort villages around the bay.

One of the pleasures here is simply watching the boating scene. You may pass close to impressive superyachts, which gives the outing a distinctly Saint-Tropez flavor. The contrast is fun: your group is on a fast, polished yacht, while much larger boats fill the harbor and anchorages nearby.

The route is not a rigid sightseeing circuit. The sample plan names several locations, but the captain may adjust the order or timing for sea conditions and your interests. That is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter. You can place more weight on swimming, more time near the town, or a quieter cruise along the coast.

Captains named in the feedback include Scott, Eric, Steve, Peter, Tjeerd, Mark, Glen, Ian, and Niamh. Scott was praised for taking care of a group and showing them around the bay, while Eric was noted for clear English and for arranging contact with a beach club. Mark and Glen were praised for listening to requests and helping a group find clear water. These details suggest a friendly, flexible approach, but your assigned captain may be different.

Canoubiers and Billionaires Bay

Plage des Canoubiers is one of the most recognizable stops on the route. The anchorage is also known as Billionaires Bay, and the area is linked with Brigitte Bardot and other famous residents of the Saint-Tropez scene.

From the boat, you get a view of this well-known stretch of coast without dealing with a packed beach setup. The usual plan is to anchor and swim. Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are included, so this is the point where the charter becomes an active water outing rather than a simple coastal cruise.

Past outings have included two swimming stops, which is useful to know if you want real time in the sea. The water temperature will depend on the season, but one couple specifically praised the swimming on a sunny day. Other groups used paddleboards, snorkels, flippers, and additional water toys.

You should still keep expectations sensible. A four-hour trip has to cover cruising, anchoring, swimming, and the return journey. If your group wants a long beach stop, a full meal, and several coves, the available time may feel short. Tell the captain at the start if swimming is your priority.

Parcs de Saint-Tropez and the Salins Coast

The Parcs de Saint-Tropez offers a quieter stretch of the route, with attractive coastal views and a more residential feel. It is a good place to slow down, take photographs, and enjoy the fact that you are seeing the peninsula from the sea.

The plan may also include Salins beach. The coast near Salins is known for clear water and a more relaxed feel than the center of town. Here again, the charm is not a long list of sights. It is the combination of open water, low coastal views, and the freedom to stop when the conditions are right.

You might find that the exact balance between Canoubiers, the Parcs, and Salins changes with wind, waves, and the group’s wishes. That flexibility is valuable, but it also means you should not treat every listed stop as a guaranteed full-length visit. Ask the captain to explain the plan when you board.

The Citadelle de Saint-Tropez and its maritime museum appear in the itinerary as a sight to see from the water or nearby route. This does not mean the charter includes admission or a land visit to the museum. If you want to tour the citadel on foot, plan a separate visit after the boat returns.

Swimming, Paddleboards, Snacks, and Music

The best use of the four hours is usually a mix of cruising and water time. You can swim from the yacht, use the provided snorkeling gear, and take out the stand-up paddleboard. Several groups also enjoyed sea scooters and other water toys, although the included list specifically confirms snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard, not every extra toy on every departure.

Water, soda, and snacks are included. That is enough to keep you comfortable between swimming and cruising, but it is not a substitute for lunch. Some groups ordered picnic lunch boxes, and others enjoyed cheese or charcuterie boards arranged for their outing. These appear to be optional additions, so ask about availability and price before you rely on them for a meal.

Music is another small but meaningful benefit. You can listen to your own music on the boat, making the mood more personal than on a standard shared cruise. Keep the volume considerate if the captain needs to communicate or if the boat is near other vessels.

One practical point: seasickness can happen even on a stylish motor yacht. One person became ill during a charter, and the captain helped quickly. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the captain recommends, eat lightly beforehand, and bring any medication you normally use.

The Price: Stronger for Groups Than Couples

The listed price is $1,802.19 per group, with up to eight people included. At the full group size, that is about $225 per person before the fuel surcharge. For four people, it works out to roughly $451 per person, and for two people it is about $901 each, again before fuel.

That calculation tells you who gets the best value. A family of six to eight or a group of friends can share the cost of a private yacht, captain, equipment, refreshments, and several hours around one of the world’s most famous resort bays. For a couple, this is a luxury splurge rather than a budget excursion.

I think the price makes sense if you value privacy and swimming time. A shared boat may cost less, but you give up control over music, stops, space, and the group atmosphere. Here, you are paying for the yacht as much as for the route.

The fuel surcharge needs to be clarified before booking. It is explicitly excluded, so ask how it is calculated and when it is payable. Also ask about optional lunch boxes, cheese boards, charcuterie, or extra water equipment if those matter to your plans.

Captains and the Human Side of the Charter

The strongest praise centers on the crew. Scott is described as an attentive captain who showed a group around the bay and allowed them to play their own music. Eric was praised for his English and for helping arrange a stop at a beach club, with a tender available for going ashore for a drink.

Mark and Glen received praise for listening closely to requests, finding clear water, providing a charcuterie spread, and letting a group enjoy the water equipment. Peter was described as a calm host during a relaxing afternoon, while Tjeerd helped a seasick passenger and communicated clear arrival instructions.

These details matter because a private charter can feel awkward if the captain is stiff or overly controlling. The best outings appear to combine local direction with room for your group to set the pace. You should still tell the crew what you want early: swimming, photographs, quiet cruising, a beach club stop, or a look at the superyachts.

The experience is offered in English, and English communication was specifically praised in at least one outing. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The operator also notes nearby public transportation.

Weather, Timing, and Communication

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is the right safety policy for a four-hour sea outing, but bad weather can still create a planning headache during a short holiday.

There have been communication problems around weather cancellations and scheduling errors. In one case, a charter was mistakenly scheduled for the wrong day, and in another, severe thunderstorms led to a cancellation message that did not reach the group promptly. The operator said refunds were processed in those cases, but the delayed communication caused frustration and wasted time.

I would protect yourself with a few simple steps. Confirm the date, departure time, exact port, and weather plan in writing. Save the WhatsApp contact and check messages before leaving your hotel. If conditions look poor, contact the operator early rather than waiting at the dock.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use local time in Saint-Tropez.

Who Should Book This Yacht Charter?

This is a good fit for a group that wants Saint-Tropez from the sea rather than another walk through the town. Families will appreciate the private setting and water equipment, while friends can make the outing social with music, swimming, snacks, and photographs.

It also suits couples who are comfortable paying for a special occasion. The yacht, calm anchorages, and private service can make a half-day feel memorable, but the per-person cost rises sharply with only two people aboard.

I would be less enthusiastic if your main goal is a detailed history tour, a full meal, or a guaranteed stop at every location in the sample route. The Citadelle maritime museum, for example, is not an included land visit. This is mainly a relaxed yacht outing with sightseeing along the coast.

Should You Book the Pershing 40?

Book it if you have a group of up to eight, want swimming and paddleboarding, and prefer a private boat to a shared cruise. The captain’s flexibility, strong service feedback, and included equipment give the experience real value when the cost is divided among several people.

Before you pay, confirm the exact port, fuel surcharge, weather procedure, and any optional food or equipment. If those details are clear and the sea forecast looks good, this is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend four hours around Saint-Tropez. If you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget, compare the total cost with a shared cruise first.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht charter?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The yacht has space for up to ten people, while the listed group price covers up to eight people.

What locations can the route include?

The sample route includes Port Grimaud, Saint-Tropez, Plage des Canoubiers, the Parcs de Saint-Tropez, Salins beach, and views of the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez and its maritime museum.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The charter includes snorkeling equipment, and swimming stops are part of the planned outing.

Is a paddleboard available?

Yes. Use of a stand-up paddleboard is included.

Are food and drinks provided?

Bottled water, soda, and snacks are included. Lunch is not listed as standard, though picnic lunch boxes, cheese, or charcuterie may be available as optional arrangements.

Where does the charter start and finish?

The activity starts and ends at the meeting point. The exact port may be Port Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, or Marines de Cogolin, with final details provided by WhatsApp or email.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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