Marina Baie des Anges: Lazy afternoons at sea on a Maxi Catamaran

The best part of this outing is the boat itself: a large French-made Maxi Catamaran with plenty of room to sit, stretch out, and watch the Côte d’Azur slide past. You sail toward the Lérins Islands or Anse de la Salis, then pause in clear water for swimming, paddleboarding, and a drink on deck.

I like the relaxed pace and the crew’s friendly touch. Captain Bertrand is especially good at keeping the mood light in both French and English, and families have found the staff attentive when children or seasick passengers need help. I also like that the drinks are included and served through plastic-free fountains.

The main thing to know is that this is a leisure cruise, not a sightseeing tour packed with stops. You may anchor for much of the afternoon, and the food is light: breadsticks, olives, and small bites rather than a meal. Eat beforehand if you are hungry.

Key points to know before you book

• A spacious Maxi Catamaran: The modern boat has ample seating, and the trip is not designed to feel tightly packed.
• A swim stop in clear water: You can relax on deck, swim, and use a paddleboard when the boat anchors.
• Two possible routes: The crew chooses between the Lérins Islands and Anse de la Salis according to weather and local conditions.
• Captain Bertrand leads in French and English: The tone is friendly, informal, and suitable for mixed-age groups.
• Drinks are included: Expect water, juices, cola, lemonade, and a Punch Planteur, served with an eco-minded setup.
• Bring food if you need a full snack: The included bites are modest, so lunch before boarding is sensible.

A lazy afternoon aboard a French catamaran

This is the kind of Côte d’Azur outing that works best when you stop checking the clock. For four hours, you trade packed streets and hot pavement for open water, a broad catamaran deck, and the changing view of the coast.

The cruise leaves from Port de Marina Baie des Anges, a useful base between Nice and Antibes. Look for Quai O and the Maxi Catamaran Mayba. Boarding is scheduled for 1:50 pm, with departure at 2:00 pm and return around 6:00 pm.

The published duration is four hours, though the timetable runs from boarding at 1:50 pm to disembarkation at 6:00 pm. Give yourself enough time to find the harbor and the correct quay without rushing.

The boat is the star here. It is large, clean, and modern, with comfortable seating and enough deck space to spread out. One important advantage of a catamaran is the open, stable feel compared with a smaller pleasure boat, though no boat completely removes the chance of seasickness.

The crew sets a welcoming tone from the start. Captain Bertrand is known for switching easily between French and English, with humor that works for adults and children. The crew also helps with practical matters, such as blankets when the return ride turns cool and support if someone feels unwell.

Leaving Marina Baie des Anges at 2 pm

Before departure, the crew introduces the vessel, explains the program, and covers basic safety instructions. This is brief but useful. You learn how the afternoon will work before the boat leaves the harbor.

Once under way, find a place that suits you. The forward deck gives you more exposure to the breeze and the water. A sheltered seat may be better if you are prone to seasickness or if the sun becomes too strong.

The route offers broad views across the Bay of Cannes and along the Côte d’Azur coast. The point is not to stop at every landmark. Instead, you watch the shoreline change as the boat makes its way toward the afternoon anchorage.

That distinction matters. If you want a boat ride with constant narration and a long list of named sights, this may feel too loose. If you want time to talk, read, listen to music, and enjoy the sea without a packed schedule, the easy pace is a strength.

Music may be part of the atmosphere, and the overall tone is casual rather than formal. Families, couples, and mixed-age groups can settle into the same rhythm without needing to take part in a structured activity.

Choosing between the Lérins Islands and Anse de la Salis

The crew aims for the Lérins Islands or Anse de la Salis, with the final choice shaped by weather conditions. That flexibility is sensible. At sea, a fixed route is less important than finding a safe and pleasant place to anchor.

The Lérins Islands sit off Cannes and are known for their wooded shores, clear water, and protected setting. From the catamaran, you get the pleasure of viewing the islands from the sea rather than touring them on foot.

Anse de la Salis, near Antibes, offers another attractive anchorage option. The bay provides a different coastal setting and may be chosen when conditions make it the better place for a swim stop.

Do not book this expecting a guaranteed visit to both places. The route can change, and the crew’s priority is to respect local regulations, marine life, plant life, and the rules of national parks in the area.

One practical point is that the catamaran can anchor some distance from shore. That creates a lovely open-water swim, but it also means the water may be too deep for much snorkeling. Bring your mask only if you already enjoy snorkeling in deeper water, and do not expect a reef excursion.

The anchorage: swimming, paddleboarding, and deck time

Around 3:15 pm, the catamaran reaches a protected natural setting and drops anchor. This is the heart of the afternoon.

You can stay on deck with a cold drink, swim from the boat, or take a paddleboard out when conditions allow. The choice is yours, which makes the outing work for different energy levels. One person can read in the shade while another heads into the water.

The sea is described as crystal-clear, and the anchorage is selected for its scenery and calm conditions. Still, the water can be deep because the boat may remain well offshore. That is worth noting for children and for anyone who prefers to stand in shallow water.

A catamaran gives you more room to spread out during this stop. You are not confined to a single small platform, and the wide deck makes it easier to find a comfortable spot. The boat’s size also helps explain why the swim may take place farther from land.

The schedule leaves roughly an hour and a half at anchor before the return journey. That is enough time for a swim and a paddleboard session without making the afternoon feel rushed.

Some departures may anchor more than once, depending on the route and conditions. If you prefer one longer stop, the crew may organize the afternoon differently. The central promise is time at sea and relaxation, not a fixed number of anchorages.

What is included in the drinks and aperitif

The drink service is a real part of the value. You get still water, sparkling water, orange juice, multi-fruit juice, cola, and lemonade.

The drinks are provided by Ôchwette, a local brand, through plastic-free, eco-friendly fountains. That setup cuts down on single-use plastic and lets you refill without a pile of bottles taking over the deck.

The included alcoholic drink is a Punch Planteur. It is served as an aperitif while the boat is anchored. If you drink, keep it moderate, especially in the afternoon sun and after swimming.

The food is the weaker part of the package. The outing includes light snacks, but the portions are not designed to replace lunch. Expect simple bites such as olives and breadsticks rather than sandwiches or a proper meal.

My practical advice is simple: eat lunch before boarding, or bring a snack if the rules allow. There is a grocery store near the waterfront with sandwiches and focaccia pizza, a useful option before you head to the marina.

That small bit of planning improves the whole trip. You can then enjoy the drinks and aperitif as a pleasant extra, rather than waiting for a meal that never arrives.

Returning to Marina Baie des Anges

At about 4:45 pm, the crew weighs anchor and begins the return trip. This gives you another chance to enjoy the coast from the deck, now with the slower, slightly drowsy feel that comes after a swim.

The ride back can feel cooler, especially if the wind picks up. Bring a light layer even during warm weather. The crew has provided blankets when passengers felt cold, but your own cover-up is still a good idea.

The boat reaches Marina Baie des Anges around 6:00 pm. That timing works well if you want dinner afterward in Nice, Antibes, or nearby along the coast, though you should leave extra time for traffic if you have a tight evening booking.

The cruise does not end with a dramatic final stop. Its pleasure comes from the full afternoon: the boat, the water, the open views, and the chance to do very little for several hours.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, this sits above a basic short harbor ride but offers far more time and space. You are paying for a four-hour outing aboard a large catamaran, with a crew, a swimming stop, paddleboard access, an aperitif, and a range of soft drinks.

The value is strongest if you use the boat as a place to relax. You get room to lounge, and the vessel is not intended to feel overcrowded. Several families and couples have found that spaciousness made the price worthwhile.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a generous meal, extensive snorkeling, or a long list of shore visits. The food is limited, and the route can remain mostly offshore. You should think of the $88 as the cost of a comfortable half-day on the sea, not as a sightseeing transfer between islands.

The eco-friendly drink service is another small plus. It will not transform the outing, but the plastic-free fountain system shows attention to the details of operating a boat in a sensitive coastal setting.

Who will enjoy this afternoon most?

I would recommend this for couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a calm break from sightseeing. Children around the age of 10 or 11 can enjoy the swim, paddleboard, and open deck, while adults can settle into a drink and coastal views.

It also suits you if you have already spent time visiting towns and museums and want an afternoon with no complicated agenda. The crew’s friendly style helps make it feel social without forcing you into a group activity.

You may want another type of boat trip if you need shallow-water swimming, snorkeling, or several shore landings. The catamaran can anchor in deep water, and the route changes with the weather.

This is also not ideal if you are looking for a quiet, silent sailing experience. Music may be played, and the crew keeps the mood upbeat. The tone is relaxed, but not necessarily hushed.

Bring sunglasses, a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear. Use sun protection carefully, and follow the crew’s guidance around swimming and paddleboard use.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Côte d’Azur schedule is still shifting. French and English are available, though some material may appear in its original language.

Should you book this catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a comfortable, easygoing afternoon on the Mediterranean with a friendly crew, a spacious boat, and time to swim or paddleboard. Captain Bertrand’s warm approach, the clean modern catamaran, and the included drinks are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you expect a substantial lunch, detailed sightseeing at every stop, or shallow water for snorkeling. Eat before boarding, bring a towel and cover-up, and treat the route as weather-dependent.

For a relaxed finish to a Côte d’Azur holiday, the trip offers good value. It gives you four hours to slow down, enjoy the coast, and let the sea do most of the work.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

Meet at Quai O in Port de Marina Baie des Anges. The boat is the Maxi Catamaran Mayba.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is advertised as four hours. Boarding is scheduled for 1:50 pm, departure at 2:00 pm, and disembarkation around 6:00 pm.

Which places can the catamaran visit?

The route may head toward the Lérins Islands or Anse de la Salis. The final route and anchorage depend on weather conditions.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in a setting with clear water, where you can swim and relax. The water may be deep because the boat can anchor well offshore.

Can I use a paddleboard?

Yes. Paddleboarding is available during the anchorage stop, subject to conditions and crew instructions.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included soft drinks are still water, sparkling water, orange juice, multi-fruit juice, cola, and lemonade. A Punch Planteur is served as the alcoholic aperitif.

Is food included?

Light aperitif snacks are included, but this is not a full meal. Eat before boarding or bring an additional snack if needed.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in French and English. Some content may be presented in its original language.