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

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to make the French Riviera your own. With Philippe at the helm, you can cruise past Cap d’Antibes, anchor near the Lerins Islands, swim in clear water, or simply stretch out under the boat’s shade with the coast behind you.

I like the useful water gear, especially the paddleboard, snorkeling equipment, noodles, and swim platform. I also like Philippe’s easygoing local storytelling, which brings meaning to the views. The main catch is the extra €200 skipper fee, paid onboard, so the advertised group price is not the full cost.

Key points to know before you book

• A private boat for up to five passengers: This works well for a couple, family, or small group that wants privacy instead of a crowded excursion.
• Two strong water stops: The Lerins Islands offer places to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and relax off the boat.
• Philippe makes the route personal: He adjusts stops and timing around your interests, from swimming to island walks and local stories.
• Saint-Honorat and Saint-Marguerite feel different: One offers a short stroll around a monastery island, while the other is better suited to swimming and exploring.
• Bring your own picnic: Food and drinks are allowed, and pizza, ice cream, and drinks can also reach the boat by delivery boat.
• Choose the longer outing if you can: The 6-hour option gives you time for both sightseeing and water activities without rushing.

Leaving Camille Rayon Marina for the open coast

Your trip begins at Camille Rayon Marina, a practical starting point between Cannes and Antibes. You can reach it by car or public transport, but transportation to the marina is not included, so plan that part yourself.

Philippe contacts you shortly before departure with the boat details, exact meeting instructions, timing, and weather information. Check your messages carefully. This advance contact is useful because marina meetings can be confusing, and the boat’s precise location may depend on the day’s conditions.

The boat is a pilothouse model with a large cockpit, passenger seats, a table, a fore-cabin, storage space, and a swimming platform. You get a mix of shelter and open-air seating, which matters on the Côte d’Azur. You can enjoy the sun, then move into the shade when the heat catches up with you.

The boat is designed for up to five passengers plus the skipper, making it intimate and easy to manage. A few past bookings describe groups larger than that, but the stated capacity is five passengers. If your party is bigger, confirm the arrangement before paying.

Leave high heels at home. You will want swimwear, a towel, cash, and clothing suited to the weather. Life jackets, drinking water, snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, and swim noodles are provided.

Seeing Cap d’Antibes from the water

The first major section takes you along the coast toward Cap d’Antibes. From the sea, you get a view that is hard to find from the road or footpaths. The peninsula’s shoreline, villas, and rocky edges make more sense when you see how the coast curves into the water.

Philippe adds context as you travel. His stories cover Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and the Côte d’Azur, with local anecdotes rather than only a list of place names. I value this sort of guiding because a boat ride can otherwise become a string of pretty views with no sense of place.

The exact route is flexible. You might spend more time cruising if you want photographs, or head toward a swim stop if getting into the water is your main goal. Tell Philippe what you want early in the trip. He has a good reputation for adjusting the outing around families, couples, and mixed-age groups.

This is not a high-speed thrill ride. The appeal is the chance to sit comfortably, watch the coastline, and stop when a good place appears. If you want loud music, watersports at every moment, or a packed sightseeing schedule, this probably is not your style.

Crossing Juan Gulf to the Lerins Islands

From the Juan Gulf, the boat heads toward the Lerins Islands, the main prize of the outing. The islands give you a change of pace from the resort coast. Instead of looking at the Mediterranean from a promenade, you can stop beside it and use the water as your swimming area.

The route can include Saint-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, depending on your time and wishes. Saint-Marguerite is a popular choice for a swim stop. The water around the island is clear and inviting, and the boat’s platform makes getting in and out easier than climbing from a rocky shore.

Saint-Honorat offers a different experience. You can take a short walk on the island and see its monastery setting before returning to the boat. Do not expect a long guided island tour during a half-day outing. The walk is one piece of a boat-focused day, not a replacement for a full land visit.

The two islands are close enough to combine in a longer trip, but time becomes the key issue. A 3-hour booking can include a cruise and one or two water stops, while the 6-hour version gives you room for a stroll, a relaxed lunch, and longer time with the paddleboard and snorkeling gear.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the underwater head sculptures

The water activities are simple, but they add real value. You can anchor, put on the supplied mask and snorkel, and explore around the boat. Paddleboarding offers a gentler option for people who want to be on the water without swimming far.

One particularly unusual stop may be the underwater museum with its large head sculptures. This gives snorkeling a point of interest beyond looking at the sea floor. Philippe can explain the area and help you use the floating board if you want extra support.

The equipment includes swim noodles as well as life jackets. That is helpful for children and less confident swimmers. Philippe has also been praised for calmly helping nervous youngsters get comfortable around the boat and water. Still, this is an open-water activity, so parents remain responsible for children, and the experience is not suitable for children under 3.

Water conditions and weather affect the day. A promised stop is not a guarantee of identical conditions every time, and the skipper has the final say on safe anchoring and swimming. Pack a towel and weather-appropriate clothes, even during summer. A breeze can make the ride cooler than expected.

Making lunch work on a private boat

Food and drinks are allowed onboard, and the boat has storage for bags. You can buy supplies before boarding, bring a picnic, or use restaurants at the marina and on the islands.

A market picnic is a particularly good fit. Pack sandwiches, fruit, or a simple charcuterie spread, then settle at the cockpit table while the boat is anchored. Bring only what you can manage in a small space. The boat is comfortable, but it is not a floating dining room with room for a large suitcase and a full picnic hamper.

You may also be able to order food and drinks from boats operating on the water. Pizza, ice cream, and drinks have reached boats during previous outings, which is a fun Riviera touch. Treat this as a convenience rather than something to build your entire schedule around. Delivery availability can depend on location, timing, and conditions.

Drinking water is included. Other food and drinks cost extra, and the skipper fee is separate. Cash is worth carrying because it is specifically requested in the practical instructions.

Why the skipper matters so much

A private boat is only as good as the person running it. Philippe handles the driving, safety instructions, route choices, and local commentary, while leaving you space to enjoy the day.

His guiding style appears to suit families especially well. He explains boat rules clearly, watches how children respond to the water, and helps them gain confidence without making the outing feel like a lesson. He is also a strong fit for adults who want historical background along with swimming.

I like that the commentary is tied to what you are seeing. Stories about Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and the islands make the cruise feel connected to the region. He can also suggest good photo spots and recommend places that fit your interests.

The tone is friendly and personal, but expectations matter. Philippe is not a formal museum guide delivering a fixed speech. The experience works best if you ask questions and tell him what you want to do. Prefer a quiet afternoon? Say so. Want more swimming? Ask. Want to walk on an island? Build that into the plan.

Half-day or full-day: choosing the right length

The advertised duration ranges from 3 to 6 hours. The shorter outing suits a couple or small group with limited time. You can see the coast, reach the islands, swim, and return without giving up most of your day.

The half-day option does require choices. You may have time for a couple of snorkeling stops, as one booking did, but a full island walk, long lunch, and extended paddleboarding session could feel rushed.

I would choose 6 hours for most people who can spare it. The longer trip lets you slow down at anchor, use the paddleboard, swim without watching the clock, and take a walk on Saint-Honorat or another island. It also makes the price easier to justify because you receive more unhurried time with a private boat and skipper.

A shorter booking can still be excellent value for a couple. At $342 per group of up to five, the base price is not per person, which helps a full small group. But add the €200 skipper charge paid onboard, plus transport, food, and drinks. For five people, the base price works out to about $68 per person before the skipper fee and extras. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher.

The pricing makes the most sense when privacy matters. A public boat may cost less per person, but it will not give you the same control over swim stops, food, island walks, or pace.

Who will enjoy this Côte d’Azur boat trip

I would recommend this outing to:

• Couples wanting a relaxed day away from city streets
• Families with children aged 3 and older
• Small groups splitting the cost of a private boat
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want easy access to the water
• Visitors who enjoy local stories along with sightseeing
• Anyone with a free half-day or full day near Cannes, Antibes, or Juan-les-Pins

It is also a good break after several days of walking around Nice, Monaco, Cannes, or Antibes. You can spend the afternoon sitting, swimming, and watching the coast instead of following another packed schedule.

I would think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also avoid booking it if you dislike open-water swimming, boat movement, sun, or flexible timing.

Practical costs and booking advice

The base rate is $342 per private group of up to five, but the €200 skipper fee is paid separately onboard. That is the detail most likely to affect your budget. Add transport to Camille Rayon Marina and any picnic, restaurant meal, or drinks.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The live tour is offered in English and French.

The operator has received a perfect transport score from 99 percent of users, and the overall activity rating is 5 out of 5 from 101 reviews. Those figures point to a strong record, especially for boat condition, comfort, communication, and the skipper’s work, but they do not remove the normal limits of sea weather or a short tour schedule.

Before you go, check your messages for the final meeting information. Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring a towel, and pack a light layer. Put valuables in a small secure bag, and bring cash for the skipper fee or other onboard purchases.

Should you book the Lerins Islands private boat trip?

Book it if you want the Riviera from the water, not just another view of it from shore. The combination of Cap d’Antibes, Juan Gulf, the Lerins Islands, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and Philippe’s local stories gives the day more substance than a basic coastal cruise.

I would choose the 6-hour option for a family or group that wants to swim and walk on an island. Choose 3 hours if your schedule is tight or you mainly want a scenic cruise with a swim stop.

Just budget honestly. The $342 price is only the starting point, and the separate €200 skipper fee changes the final total. If that works for your group, this is one of the better ways to trade crowded Riviera streets for a quiet patch of Mediterranean water.

FAQ

How many people can join the private boat trip?

The stated capacity is up to five passengers plus the skipper. If your group is larger, confirm the arrangements before booking.

How long does the trip last?

The trip lasts between 3 and 6 hours, depending on the option and availability.

Is the skipper fee included in the price?

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

What equipment is provided?

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

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. Food and drinks are allowed onboard, and storage space is available for bags. Restaurants and delivery boats may also provide food, ice cream, and drinks.

Is the boat trip suitable for young children and wheelchair users?

Children under 3 are not permitted, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Families with older children can use the supplied life jackets and swim noodles, while the skipper provides boat instructions.