Boat Trips in France: the 15 Best Sailings

1.Nice: 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise to Villefranche Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,747 reviews · 1 hour · from $33Our pick

From Nice’s port, you’ll cruise past Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat’s grand villas to colorful Villefranche-sur-Mer, then return along the Baie des Anges. A live guide speaks French and English, sharing local stories with humor. The boat has seating, toilets, and drinks for cash purchase, but you stay aboard for the full hour.

“It’s was a great trip! Got to see a lot of beautiful places and the guide on the boat who gave information about things around us and history of houses and the area was great and funny and also did the info in both French and English! It was a really hot day so to be able to buy drinks was great, it is only cash on the boat to buy drinks so remember to bring some! And also if it’s a hot day bring something to fan yourself with or to keep cool as it is very hot upstairs in the sun with no shade”

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2.From Ajaccio/Porticcio:Ajaccio & Sanguinaires Gulf Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,931 reviews · 3 hours · from $42

You’ll cruise from Ajaccio or Porticcio along Corsica’s north shore, passing the Citadel, Marin cemetery, Tino Rossi’s house, and the Greek chapel. A French-speaking guide provides commentary before a one-hour stop on Mezu Mare for swimming, the Daudet lighthouse walk, and the Lazaretto ruins. Water shoes help on the rocky shore.

“It didn’t happen. The excursion started with a ferry to the tour boat. The tour boat left before we arrived”

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3.Ajaccio/Porticcio: Scandola Nature Reserve Guided Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,375 reviews · 1 day · from $82

Set out with Nave Va from Ajaccio or Porticcio for a French-guided boat day along Corsica’s wild west coast. You’ll visit Scandola, stop for two hours in remote Girolata, cruise the Gulf of Porto, and see the red cliffs, caves, arches, and Capo Rosso Tower near Piana. Bring lunch, swimwear, a hat, and sun protection.

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4.From Nice: Round-Trip Transportation to Saint Tropez by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,245 reviews · 10 hours · from $115

Board Trans Côte D’Azur at Nice’s Port, then cruise for about 2.5 hours to Saint Tropez. You’ll have roughly five hours to explore the harbor, Place des Lices, La Ponche, the Citadelle, and local museums before returning by boat. Choose outdoor seats for the Riviera views or stay inside with a drink and snack.

“Everything was perfect, the weather was good, the guys on the boat were great. Attentive to the passengers, smiling with exemplary behavior. I highly recommend!”

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5.From Marseille: Iconic Calanques Boat Tour with Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,017 reviews · 3 hours - 270 minutes · from $93

Join a small group of up to 12 for a 3 to 4.5 hour boat trip through Marseille’s Calanques National Park. Your English or French speaking skipper, possibly Marie, Julia, Clementine, or Stefan, takes you to limestone coves, Riou Island, swimming stops, and the Blue Cave. Snorkeling gear, drinks, wetsuits, and a GoPro are included.

“Amazing experience in the Calanques: the site is beautiful, the water extremely clean and even though the weather wasn’t at its best today the boat trip was funny and the sites still amazing. Absolutely recommended!”

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6.From Ota: Scandola Nature Reserve Eco-Friendly Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 932 reviews · 3 hours - 270 minutes · from $53

From Porto, cruise the Gulf of Porto and protected Scandola Nature Reserve on a hybrid boat with live French commentary. You’ll stop 30 minutes in sea-access-only Girolata, watch for seabirds and caves, and can add a 1.5-hour run to the pink granite Calanche de Piana. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and food.

“Eine Stunde vor Abfahrt rief der Veranstalter an und wollte absagen wegen zu hohem Wellengang. Wir waren aber schon unterwegs und auf halber Strecke. Dann hat er die Abfahrtszeit um eine halbe Stunde nach vorne verlegt, was wir kaum hätten schaffen können und uns gesagt, dass die Tour heute 1h kürzer und ohne Aufenthalt in Girolata sein würde. Die Tour fand dann auf einem normalen Dieselboot statt, Guide nur auf Französisch, Infos konnten in einer Online-Broschüre nachgelesen werden. Anfahrt also Stress pur, Bootsfahrt zwar mit schöner Landschaft, aber lautem und stinkenden Boot nur 2 statt 3 Stunden ohne Preisnachlass. Das war Abzocke!”

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7.Mediterranean Coastal Sightseeing Cruise from Nice

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 887 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

Board Trans Côte d’Azur’s boat at Nice’s Quai Lunel for a one-hour cruise along the Baie des Anges, Cap de Nice, Villefranche Bay, and Cap Ferrat. Expect French and English commentary, views of villas and hill villages, and a relaxed return past the Promenade des Anglais. The boat may be Charlotte, depending on the sailing.

“Outstanding cruise that was informative and interesting. We saw all the important points of interest as well as a few hidden gems.”

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8.Cruise Calanches de Piana and Scandola Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 849 reviews · 3 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $96Top rated

From Marine de Porto, join Porto Aventure for a 3-hour-15-minute semi-rigid boat trip through Scandola, the Calanches de Piana, and possibly Girolata. Skippers such as Antoine, Nicolas, Julien, and Jules combine lively driving with stories about Corsican geology, history, and marine protection. The small group is capped at 12 people.

“Balade superbe, avec un guide plein d'humour et de connaissances. Quelques sensations sur son bateau semi-rigide, et un coucher de soleil sur la mer. A faire !”

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9.Cannes: Estérel Massif Boat Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 811 reviews · 2h 30m · from $88

From Port du Béal in Cannes, you’ll spend 2.5 hours aboard a 12-passenger Black Tenders RIB boat with an English or French-speaking captain. Expect red Estérel cliffs, seaside castles, the Palais Bulles, hidden coves, marine life, and usually two swimming stops. Bring sun protection, a towel, and your own mask and snorkel.

“Amazing tour with a lot of info and the guide was very informative 👌 great locations to swim and dive.”

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10.From Ajaccio: Sanguinaires Islands Boat Trip With Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 767 reviews · 2h 30m · from $68

Join JPS Aventure for a 150-minute sunset trip from Ajaccio or Porticcio aboard a small RIB limited to 12 people. A French-speaking captain takes you to Mezzu Mare, the largest Sanguinaire Island, for a lighthouse walk, swimming stop, Corsican charcuterie, rosé wine, and polyphonic music. Expect a scenic outing with a real speedboat feel.

“Activité qui change des circuits ou excursions habituelles Explications pleines d'humour et rafarichissantes”

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11.Visit Scandola, the creeks of Piana by boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 579 reviews · from $169

Spend about nine hours on the water from Lava Beach, Ajaccio, or Porticcio. Cruise past Gargalo and Capo Rosso, enter the UNESCO-listed Scandola Reserve, stop to swim, and visit the sea-access-only hamlet of Girolata. Guide Thomas provides explanations in English. Lunch in Girolata costs extra, and rough seas can make the ride bumpy.

“About the boat! It was too windy and lots of waves.People with orthopedic problems must know the boat may bump a lot! The driver Thomas and also guide was so good. Translate everything to English.”

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12.Sanguinaires Islands Sunset Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 562 reviews · from $57

Meet at the Porticcio tourist office for a roughly 2-hour-45-minute boat trip with JPS Aventure. You’ll speed to Mezzu Mare, explore the 1870 lighthouse and semaphore, or swim, then enjoy sunset, music, and often a Corsican aperitif. Captains such as Greg and Thomas are praised for their friendly, professional hosting.

“Been there with my wife last summer, this was the highlight of our trip to Corsica, I just can't remember seeing anything nicer in France. Being on the speed boat is a phenomenal experience and exploring the island right before the sunset is uRead more”

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13.Ajaccio/Porticcio: Sanguinaires Sunset Cruise & Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 539 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $82

Join Nave Va for a 3 to 4-hour evening cruise from Ajaccio or Porticcio to the Sanguinaires Islands. A French-speaking guide, sommelier, and winemaker lead tastings of Corsican wine and local delicacies while live Corsican singers perform on board. Bring a jacket, and expect the entire experience to take place in French.

“l’activité a été annulée pour cause de mauvaise mer. Je n’ai pas été avertie à l’avance. J’espère être remboursée. Je publierai un nouvel avis dans ce cas.”

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

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

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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15.Cannes: Half-Day Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 445 reviews · 3 hours · from $98

Meet at Cannes Old Port, take a short ferry to Sainte-Marguerite Island, then board a modern catamaran for a three-hour afternoon cruise. Swim, snorkel, kayak, or use a paddleboard when weather allows. French and English commentary is available, and water is included. Bring a towel, swimwear, and cash for onboard extras.

“Great boat, friendly crew, perfect short cruise. We enjoyed drinking beers on the back of the boat and a relaxing swim in a cute bay.”

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