Private Boat Charter in the Bay of St Tropez

Make the Riviera your playground. This four-hour private charter gives your group room to set the pace around the Bay of St Tropez, with stops for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and sightseeing. I especially like the fully private format, which means you are not tied to a fixed group schedule, and the free water-sports equipment, including paddleboards, wakeboards, towable tubes, and snorkels. The main catch is the extra fuel charge, which can rise quickly if you spend a lot of time at high speed or towing equipment.

The boat carries up to six people, making the advertised price of $300.72 per group good value for a family or group of friends. You will need to bring your own food and drinks, although ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox are provided. Pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud costs an additional €50, while departure from Marines de Cogolin is included.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You control the mood, route, swimming stops, and time spent on the water.
• Several water sports included: Paddleboards, wakeboards, waterskis, towable inflatables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids are available at no extra equipment charge.
• Marines de Cogolin is the standard departure point: St Tropez, St Maxime, and Port Grimaud pickups cost €50.
• Fuel is billed separately: A €100 deposit is taken before departure, with gentle cruising costing about €15 per hour and high-speed towing about €45 per hour.
• The route mixes glamour and water time: You see St Tropez harbor, Plage des Graniers, Baie des Canoubiers, and Port Grimaud.
• The crew earns repeated praise: Matt and Sirio are singled out for flexibility, helpful instruction, local explanations, and attentive service.

Why this private charter works so well

A shared boat trip can be pleasant, but it often forces everyone into the same rhythm. This charter is different. If your group wants an hour of swimming, you can stay in a bay. If the children want a towable tube, you can spend more time on water sports. If you prefer a quiet ride past the villas and boats, you are not obliged to turn the outing into an action session.

That flexibility is the main reason to choose this experience. The captain handles the boat, while you decide how active or relaxed the four hours should feel. Matt and Sirio are both praised for being friendly and attentive, with Matt also receiving particular credit for clear explanations and bringing plenty of equipment.

The boat itself is described as tidy, comfortable, and roomy enough for two people to stretch out easily. That matters because four hours on a small craft can feel cramped if you are constantly bumping elbows. The boat is suited to cruising around the bay, stopping in sheltered areas, and carrying the equipment needed for several activities.

The format is also useful for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay aboard with a drink. Families with children as young as six and seven have used the equipment and enjoyed a mix of faster rides and slower sightseeing. You should still decide as a group how much action you really want, since high-speed activities add to the fuel cost.

Leaving from Marines de Cogolin

The normal departure point is Marines de Cogolin. This is the best-value choice because there is no extra collection fee from the home port. If you are already staying near Cogolin or can reach the marina easily, it keeps the booking simple and avoids the €50 pickup charge.

You can also arrange collection from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud. The fee is €50, and you need to request the preferred port when booking. This option is useful if you are spending the day in one of those places and do not want to arrange separate transport to Cogolin.

The tour uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. The experience is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the supplied information does not provide detailed access notes for the boat itself. If anyone in your party has particular mobility needs, ask the operator before paying.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. Food and drinks are not included, so pack what you want to eat and place it in the provided coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are supplied, which takes care of the basics without forcing you to buy drinks on shore.

Port of St Tropez: yachts, quays, and people-watching

The first planned stop is Port de Saint Tropez, with about 30 minutes to look around the harbor. This is the most famous part of the outing, but it is not the place for swimming or water sports.

From the boat, you get a different view of the port’s superyachts and the famous bars along the quayside. St Tropez is often presented as a beach destination, yet the harbor is central to its character. It is a place for watching the town’s glamorous side, with polished boats sharing the waterfront with smaller working craft.

The short stop is a sensible use of time. You get the harbor experience without spending half the charter tied up beside a quay. It also gives you a pleasant change of pace before heading toward the swimming bays.

If your main goal is water sports, you may wish this stop were shorter. If you want a taste of St Tropez itself, the boat trip is not a replacement for walking through town. Think of this part as a scenic introduction, not a full land visit.

Plage des Graniers: a useful swimming stop

The charter then heads to Plage des Graniers, where the boat anchors for around 30 minutes. This is your chance to swim or snorkel from the boat, and you can also use the tender boat to reach the beach bar.

The option to get ashore gives this stop more flexibility than a simple swim break. You can stay in the water, relax on board, or head to the beach for a drink. Lunch at Les Graniers restaurant can also be arranged if requested, but food is not part of the standard price.

A restaurant stop can be appealing if your group wants a proper meal rather than snacks from the coolbox. It will also use part of your limited four-hour outing, so decide in advance if you would rather eat on land or spend the time cruising and swimming.

The bay is likely to feel more social and shore-oriented than the later stop at Canoubiers. That makes it a good early pause, but do not expect a long beach visit within the stated schedule. The advertised time here is only about 30 minutes.

Baie des Canoubiers: the best all-round water stop

The longest stop is at Plage des Canoubiers, also called Baie de Canebiers or Millionaires Bay. The boat moors here for about an hour, giving you the most time to swim, snorkel, or paddleboard.

This is where the charter’s private format pays off. You can spread out around the boat and choose your own activity without waiting for a whole group to finish. The bay is also described in the feedback as a favorite place for family snorkeling and paddleboarding near La Madrague.

The crew supplies snorkels, buoyancy aids, and stand-up paddleboards. For families, that range is useful because not everyone has the same confidence in the water. Children can try a gentler activity, while stronger swimmers can snorkel or paddle farther from the boat within the captain’s guidance.

The supplied information does not promise particular marine life or underwater sights, so I would treat snorkeling here as a pleasant chance to look beneath the surface, not as a specialized wildlife excursion. Water clarity and conditions can change with the weather.

This is also the best stop for simply doing nothing. Four hours of sun, wind, and activity can be tiring. Taking time to lie back on the boat and enjoy the bay is part of the appeal, not a sign that you are missing out.

Port Grimaud and the canals of Little Venice

The final listed stop is Port Grimaud, a planned waterside village known as the Little Venice of France. The charter allows about an hour here, with time to get off the boat and explore the canals, stop for lunch, or have an ice cream or beer.

Port Grimaud provides a sharp change from the open bay. Instead of swimming around the boat, you can walk through a village built around waterways and colorful waterfront views. It is a worthwhile addition because the charter becomes more than a beach-and-speedboat outing.

You will need to balance this stop against your group’s priorities. An hour is enough for a quick look and refreshment, but not a leisurely exploration of every corner. If your party wants maximum time on the water, you might prefer another swim. If you enjoy a change of scene and a chance to stretch your legs, Port Grimaud is a welcome finish.

The name is occasionally written as Port Grimuad in booking material, but the destination is Port Grimaud. Mention this port clearly when arranging pickup, since collection from here costs €50 even though it is included as a sightseeing stop in the route.

Water sports: what is included and what costs more

The equipment list is unusually broad for a four-hour private charter. You can use:

• Stand-up paddleboards
• Wakeboards
• Waterskis
• Inflatable towable tubes
• Snorkels
• Buoyancy aids

The equipment itself does not carry an added rental charge. That is important when judging value, since hiring several separate pieces of gear at a beach club could quickly become expensive.

The reviews describe children enjoying the towable tube, including one family who treated the tube ride as the day’s final surprise. Other groups used paddleboards and snorkeling gear, while some chose faster cruising and sightseeing instead.

Fuel is the main variable cost. The operator takes a €100 fuel deposit before the trip. Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while high speeds and towing activities use around €45 per hour. Stopping in bays uses no fuel. If less than the deposit is used, the difference is returned after the trip. If the boat uses more, the shortfall is invoiced afterward.

This system is fairer than hiding all fuel costs inside a vague price, but you need to plan for it. A relaxed cruise with swimming stops should cost far less in fuel than four hours packed with wakeboarding and towable rides. Ask the captain about your planned mix at the start so the final cost does not surprise you.

What the €300.72 group price really buys

At $300.72 for up to six people, the base rate works out to about $50 per person if you fill every seat. That is a strong price for a private boat, especially with water-sports equipment included and a captain handling the boat.

For two people, the per-person cost is much higher. The experience can still make sense if privacy, space, and flexibility matter to you, but the best value comes with four to six passengers.

You should add the fuel deposit to your budget, although it is not necessarily an additional final cost. You may also need the €50 pickup fee if you choose St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud instead of Marines de Cogolin. Food and drinks are another small expense, since you supply those yourself.

Compared with booking separate beach activities, this charter gives you several experiences in one outing: harbor sightseeing, bay cruising, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and possible towable sports. The value is strongest for a group that will actually use the flexibility and equipment.

The captains and the feel on board

Matt and Sirio receive the strongest praise for the human side of the experience. Matt is described as flexible with pickup arrangements, prepared with paddleboards and tubing equipment, and generous with explanations about the area. Sirio is praised for being attentive, friendly, and willing to bring out equipment so children could try snorkeling, paddleboarding, and the towable tube.

That personal approach matters more on a private boat than on a standard sightseeing cruise. You are spending several hours in close quarters, so a captain who listens to your preferences can make the difference between a routine ride and a memorable outing.

The tone sounds informal and family-friendly, but not limited to families. Couples have appreciated having room to relax, while groups of friends can build a more active session around the water sports. The boat is described as comfortable for cruising and lying back, though you should not expect a luxury yacht experience at this price.

The crew also adds context about the places you pass. If you enjoy hearing about St Tropez and the bay while moving between stops, that is an extra benefit. If you want a silent private boat with no commentary, explain your preference before setting out.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Book around 27 days ahead on average, especially if you want a particular date during a busy Riviera period. The private format means there are fewer available spaces than on a large public cruise.

Use the four hours wisely. The listed stops total roughly two and a half hours, leaving the rest for travel between locations, time on board, and activities. You should not expect four full hours at anchor. The captain will adjust the route and stops according to your requests and conditions.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families wanting several activities in one outing
• Couples who value privacy and space
• Groups of friends who can share the fixed group price
• Visitors staying around Cogolin, St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud
• Anyone who wants both sightseeing and time in the water

It is less suitable if you want a long guided walking tour of St Tropez, a dedicated snorkeling expedition, or a full-day cruise. The outing samples several places rather than exploring one in great depth.

You should also think about your group’s energy level. The charter can be calm, but wakeboards, waterskis, and towable tubes make it active. The captain can help you choose, and buoyancy aids are available, but the information provided does not give detailed age, weight, or swimming requirements for each activity. Ask before departure if that matters for your group.

Should you book the Bay of St Tropez charter?

Book it if you want a private, flexible half-day with a mix of scenery and water time. The combination of up to six passengers, included sports equipment, several attractive stops, and captains such as Matt and Sirio makes the base price appealing for a full group.

My main advice is to budget for fuel, bring your own refreshments, and agree on your priorities before boarding. If everyone wants a different activity, the captain can help you divide the time. If your group wants a quiet cruise, say so clearly and avoid spending the outing on costly high-speed towing.

For families and small groups, this is one of the better ways to experience the bay without surrendering your schedule to a crowded boat. The strongest reason to book is not simply the scenery. It is the freedom to make the four hours your own.

FAQ

Where does the private boat charter depart?

The standard departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin.

Can the boat pick us up in St Tropez?

Yes. Pickup from St Tropez is available for an additional €50. You need to request it when booking.

Can we depart from St Maxime or Port Grimaud?

Yes. Collection from St Maxime or Port Grimaud is available for an additional €50, if arranged at booking.

How many people can join the charter?

The private boat can carry up to six passengers, and the price is charged per group rather than per person.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

Is food included?

No. You bring your own food and drinks. The operator provides a coolbox, ice, water, and glasses.

Is fuel included in the price?

Fuel is charged separately. A €100 deposit is taken before the trip, with any unused amount returned afterward. Additional fuel can be invoiced if the boat uses more than the deposit.

How much fuel might we use?

Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while high-speed cruising and towable activities use about €45 per hour. Stopping in bays uses no fuel.

What water-sports equipment is available?

The charter includes paddleboards, wakeboards, waterskis, inflatable towable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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