Where to Sail: the 15 Best Boat Trips with Lunch in France

1.Marseille: Sunset Boat Cruise with Buffet and Organic Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 459 reviews · 3h 30m · from $94Our pick

Spend 3.5 hours on a quiet electric boat from Marseille’s Old Port to the Frioul archipelago. You’ll swim in a sheltered cove, eat a fresh vegetarian buffet, and watch the sun set over the Mediterranean. Captains such as Patrick, Eric, and François are known for friendly hosting, though the captain and route can vary.

“We loved Captain Eric! He was fabulous! The dinner was pretty tasty (vegetarian menu) and the drinks were good. The cruise is relaxing around the Friol Archipelago and then anchors for dinner and the sunset, which was pretty. Highly recommend!”

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2.Nice: Sunset Boat Tour with Wine and Local Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 430 reviews · 1h 30m · from $64Best value

Set out from Port Lympia in a small group of up to 12 with guides such as Leo, Jean-Baptiste, Paul, or Antoine. Cruise past Cap Ferrat, stop in Villefranche Bay for wine, homemade Niçois snacks, swimming, and snorkeling, then return by way of the Cap de Nice as the sun sets.

“The sunset cruise was an exciting ride and leisurely stroll through the lives of the rich and famous. Our hosts (the crew) were super friendly and competent. Highly recommend.”

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3.Marseille: Calanques Sailing Day Trip with Lunch and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 411 reviews · 7 hours · from $159

Sail from Marseille aboard Le Don du Vent, a historic yacht with a friendly French and English-speaking crew. Enjoy coffee and navettes, then cruise toward Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton, or La Côte Bleue. Swim, snorkel, and eat a generous chef-prepared buffet with organic white wine and rosé.

“Excellent day on the boat. The crew was extremely professional, kind, and funny! Delicious food and wine, great swimming and views. Nice balance of shade and sun on the boat, with comfy bean bags for lounging. We cut the engine and sailed when the wind cooperated, which was really special. It’s a spectacular and historic boat, too. Overall, super!”

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4.Marseille: Calanques Sailing Cruise with Lunch and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 354 reviews · 1 day · from $153

You board Goélette Alliance at Marseille’s Old Port for a full day around Château d’If, Frioul, Riou, and the Calanques. Expect two swimming stops, masks and fins, a fresh vegetarian buffet, coffee, snacks, and one glass of rosé. The crew speaks French, English, and Italian, with Cap Fabio and Patrick among the guides mentioned by name.

“Wonderful day aboard a sailboat. The crew was the best: helpful and kind. As always, the employees make the excursion excellent ! Snorkeling in the Mediterranean is bliss. The food aboard was awesome and I have not been so relaxed in a Long time.”

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5.Marseille: Sunset Boat Cruise with Rosé Wine & Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 244 reviews · 3 hours · from $93

Join a three-hour evening cruise from the Mucem on a semi-rigid boat capped at 10 people. Sail past Vallon des Auffes and Château d’If, swim in a sheltered Frioul cove with masks provided, then watch sunset with rosé, snacks, and Notre-Dame de la Garde in view. Guides including Victor, Oualid, and Thomas have been praised for friendly service.

“The crew was so friendly, the group nice and small and the trip was great fun”

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6.Cannes: Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 214 reviews · 4 hours · from $135

Sail from Cannes’ Old Port to the Lérins Islands aboard a spacious catamaran. You’ll have time to swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard before a cold buffet lunch and glass of rosé. The half-day trip ends on St. Marguerite Island, where you take the included ferry back to Cannes.

“Such a great trip! Was the best thing we did all weekend! Would recommend getting there early to get a good spot on the boat.”

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7.Marseille: Calanques Eco Boat Cruise with Lunch and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 193 reviews · 7 hours · from $153

Spend seven hours exploring Marseille’s Calanques aboard a hybrid-electric boat limited to 12 passengers. Your captain, such as Hugo or Patrick, takes you past Château d’If, Frioul, Les Goudes, and Riou, with swim stops, snorkel gear, fresh vegetarian lunch, soft drinks, and rosé.

“Excellent. Patrick was a fantastic captain and showed us beautiful swimming spots.”

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8.Day cruise to the Cerbicales & Lavezzi Islands with lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 132 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Set out from Porto-Vecchio at 9 a.m. on a large 180-passenger ship with Captain Vincent Chiocca’s family crew. Cruise past Cerbicales, Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara, Sperone, and Bonifacio, then enjoy lunch, a Lavezzi Islands stop, and a final swim before returning around 6 p.m.

“un succulent repas et bravo à toute l'équipe. je conseii”

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9.Marseille: Sunset catamaran cruise, buffet & drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · from $72

Spend four hours aboard Le Feng Shui, sailing from the Mucem toward the Frioul Archipelago and calanques. You will relax on the rooftop, nets, or deck, enjoy a seasonal bio-sourced buffet, and receive one glass of wine or beer. English and French service is available, with the route adjusted for sea conditions.

“The activity was very expensive compared to what we did. We went from point A to point B, stayed in the same place for about an hour, and returned to the meeting point. We didn't get to see the sunset. The crew on the boat was very friendly, which was the only highlight.”

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10.Marseille: Sailboat Cruise with Lunch, Swim & Organic Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 109 reviews · 7 hours · from $159

Join the Eleanor Mary at Marseille’s Old Port for a seven-hour sailing day with a maximum of 12 people. The crew chooses between the Côte Bleue, Calanques National Park, and possibly the Frioul Islands according to the weather. You get lunch, organic wine, snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, and time to swim.

“This boat was amazing! The lunch was really nice and our swim spots were great”

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11.Hyères, Brégançon & Porquerolles : Full-Day cruise with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 86 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $152

Board the maxi-catamaran Iladora in Hyères for a 6 to 8-hour cruise along the Var coast. You’ll see Fort Brégançon, sail toward Cap des Mèdes on Porquerolles, stop twice for swimming and paddleboarding, and enjoy an aperitif, buffet meal, wine, soft drinks, and an afternoon sweet snack.

“Excursion excellente, beau paysage, équipe dynamique. Le repas juste parfait (poulet gambas, salades, fromage, pomme de terre...) Boisson à volonté (même le punch). 1er arrêt parfait pour descendre dans l'eau et observer les poissons. Le 2eme arrêt moins attractif sous l'eau mais bien pour nager et profiter des paddle ! on recommande fortement !”

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12.Marseille: Evening sailboat trip to the Calanques du Frioul with buffet and organic wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 79 reviews · 3h 30m · from $94

Set sail from Marseille’s Old Port on a 210-minute evening trip to the Frioul archipelago. Anchor in a wild cove for swimming, snorkeling, sunset views, a vegetarian buffet from La Casa Consolat, and Provence rosé. The French and English-speaking crew keeps the mood relaxed, with the city glowing on your return.

“La croisière était très sympa ! L’équipage à bord a été super agréable et les différents plats / boissons proposés étaient délicieux ! À recommander !”

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13.Saint-Raphaël : Full Day Cruise with Meal to Cape Taillat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 76 reviews · 8 hours · from $175

Board a maxi-catamaran in Saint-Raphaël’s Old Port for an eight-hour cruise to Cap Taillat and Pampelonne. You’ll swim from two anchorages, use paddleboards and water toys, enjoy a punch aperitif, buffet lunch, wine, soft drinks, and afternoon snacks. French and English service is provided, and the vessel is wheelchair accessible.

“la balade en bateau, mais il serait bien de mettre des petites navettes à ce catamaran pour descendre les passagers sur la plage du cap Taillat et de ne pas être obligé de descendre de celui-ci au mouillage pour se baigner”

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14.Marseille : Calanques Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · 8h 30m · from $199

Spend 8.5 hours aboard Bleu Evasion’s catamaran from Port de la Pointe Rouge, visiting Riou, Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton, and a private stop. Skippers such as César and Alex guide the day in English or French. Lunch, rosé, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, wetsuits, and GoPro cameras are included, with 30 people maximum.

“Está muy bien xq hay muchos espacio para todos! Eso si el precio muy alto por 159€ por persona nos costó. Y justo al día siguiente lo bajaron más de 40€ …. Es un precio muy alto Eso sí nos lo pasamos genial y es muy bonito”

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15.Marseille: Frioul Archipelago Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 49 reviews · from $90

Sail from Marseille’s Old Port aboard the Feng Shui, a spacious catamaran bound for the Frioul Archipelago. You’ll have time to swim in clear Mediterranean water, relax on deck or in the nets, and enjoy a seasonal buffet with one beer or wine. English and French crew members are on board.

“Amazing definitely recommend. The water is amazing. Staff was incredible and the catered food was surprisingly delicious”

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