15 Island Boat Trips in France to Build a Day Around

1.From Ajaccio: Sanguinaires Islands Boat Trip With Aperitif

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

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Sanguinaires Islands Sunset Boat Tour

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

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”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Marseille: Frioul Islands Boat Tour with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 506 reviews · 2 hours · from $81

Leave from Mucem on a semi-rigid boat for a two-hour circuit past the Mucem, Vallon des Auffes, Château d’If, and the Frioul Islands. Your French- or English-speaking skipper, such as Gilles, Tomas, or César, leads a small group of up to 10, with snorkeling gear, a swim ladder, music, and a 20-minute island stop.

“Really good tour round the Frioul Islands Guide Tomas really helpful and informative couldn’t do enough for all Great couple of hours would recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Bonifacio: Catamaran trip with snorkeling at the Lavezzi Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 471 reviews · 4 hours · from $88

From Piantarella Beach, sail by comfortable catamaran toward the Lavezzi Archipelago and Cavallo Island. Your skipper may invite you to help sail, then anchors twice for swimming, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. The route changes with wind and crowds, and the exact departure time arrives by text the evening before.

“Lovely catamaran ride to the islands! Very beautiful. Plenty of time to swim, snorkel or SUP at 2 locations! The time of arrival was slightly confusing and we ended up arriving at the wrong time, but they were able to get us to the catamaran and it all worked out fine. Thank you Francois for a wonderful morning!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Saint-Raphaël: Golden Island Afternoon Cruise with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 315 reviews · 4 hours · from $88

Spend four hours aboard a catamaran from Saint-Raphaël’s Old Port, sailing past Île d’Or, Cap Dramont, Agay Bay, and the Estérel coves. Stop between Cap Roux and the Anthéor Viaduct for paddleboarding, swimming, drinks, and snacks, then return by way of the Calanque des Contrebandiers.

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Marseille: Frioul Islands Sunset Cruise with Cocktail Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 300 reviews · 3h 30m · from $112

Join the historic Le Don Du Vent at Marseille’s Pier 2 for a 3.5-hour sunset sail with hosts including Olivier and Samir. Cruise to the Frioul Islands, anchor in a cove, enjoy a fresh buffet with organic white wine and rosé, then swim or snorkel before returning beneath the lights of La Bonne-Mère.

“Great value for money. The atmosphere on the boat was wonderful with great company and a fantastic crew! Free flowing wine, funny but professional crew - always making sure you were comfortable and ensured your glass was full and had enough food. Location for a swim during sunset was perfect. Dinner was light but very tasty and you could fill up on all the breads and dips”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Boat walk in Sete on the singular island 1 hour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 212 reviews · from $23Best value

Spend one hour aboard the 12-seat Narwhal SP 900, cruising Sète’s canals with a French-speaking captain. You’ll see historic buildings, typical neighborhoods, and colorful canal-side houses while hearing local stories. Guide Antoine is known for lively history talks, and some outings may include the lake or a burst of speed.

“Superbe sortie beau temps Antoine au top un personnage typique de la région . À très bien raconté l histoire de sete et la sortie en zodiaque grosses poussées d adrénaline. Un pur moment de bonheur simple 🥰🥰🥰”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Saint-Raphaël : Sunset Cruise Cape Dramont & Golden Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 179 reviews · 2 hours · from $81

Set out from Saint-Raphaël’s Old Port on a two-hour maxi-catamaran cruise toward Cap Dramont and Île d’Or. Watch the Estérel coast turn gold, stop for an aperitif and soft drinks, and use the paddleboards or water toys when conditions and daylight allow. French and English are available.

“Moment privilégié, chill entre apéritif, musique, panorama, et explications touristiques. Bonne dose d'humour et petite baignade. Un équipage au top et un retour en mode discothèque spécial années 80, on adore ♥️😎🌅”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.From Bonifacio: Lavezzi Islands Half-Day Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 142 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $70

Sail from Bonifacio with a French-speaking captain and guide, often including Jean Paul, Stefano, or Oncle Jean. See the Lavezzi Islands, Cavallo, Bonifacio’s cliffs, sea caves, Sperone Golf Course, and the southern tip of Corsica. Swim and snorkel in clear coves from a comfortable boat holding no more than 12 people.

“Our guide was wonderful and very informative. The other guests spoke French but he was very flexible and also offered the explanations in English for us as well. The locations where we stopped to swim and snorkel were some of the most beautiful we have ever experienced. Do not hesitate to book this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Catamaran trip to the Lavezzi Islands at sunset with snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 138 reviews · 2h 30m · from $76

Spend 150 minutes on a small-group catamaran from Piantarella Beach, or Bonifacio in low season, sailing toward the Lavezzi Islands. You’ll stop to swim and snorkel near islands such as Cavallo or Ratino, with paddleboards provided. The crew, including François on some departures, explains sailing and adapts the route to the weather.

“Très belle sortie en Catamaran avec le plaisir de se baigner autour des îles lavezzi et d'admirer le coucher de soleil. Je recommande !”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Marseille: Set sail for the Château d’If and the Frioul Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 138 reviews · 3 hours · from $69

Meet your Marseille-born captain beneath the Mucem footbridge for a three-hour boat trip past Vallon des Auffes, Degaby Island, and Château d’If. You’ll spend about 90 minutes at Frioul, with time for a cove swim, a walk, lunch, or a café stop. French and English guiding, water, masks, and paddles are included.

“The sea was a bit rough but that made the boat ride even more fun. The skipper was great, and interacted well with all clients on the boat.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.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”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Lérins Islands Sailing Discovery, snorkeling and paddle SUP

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 110 reviews · 3h 30m · from $100

Join skipper Valentin or Valentino for a 210-minute small-group sail from Antibes toward Île Sainte-Marguerite and Fort Royal. You’ll learn the basics of sailing, hear the Man in the Iron Mask story, then snorkel or use the paddleboard in clear Mediterranean water. Swimming runs May 15 through September 15.

“This day has been the highlight of my holiday! Our guide was so accommodating. As it was only the three of us he changed the timing of the tour, allowing us extra time in our favourite places. Would do again if I was in the area!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.From Bonifacio: Lavezzi Islands and Bonifacio Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 104 reviews · 4 hours · from $76

Join skipper Jean-Paul, also known as Oncle Jean, from Sant’Amanza for a four-hour small-group boat trip to the Lavezzi Islands. You’ll see Bonifacio from the sea, stop to swim and snorkel in a clear cove, and enjoy a French-guided outing for up to 10 people with an aperitif and snack included.

“Super entspannte und sehenswerte Tour auf kleinerem Motorboot, freundlicher, sympathischer Guide, gute Stimmung. Alle Informationen zum Ausflug kompakt vorab erhalten, Erklärungen auch auf Englisch. Nette Gesangseinlage mit der Ukulele vom Kapitän bei den Lavezzi-Inseln, super fein statt Dauerbeschallung am Boot. Unbedingte Weiterempfehlung!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 3 - 6 hours

Captain Philippe takes your private group of up to five from Camille Rayon Marina toward Cap d’Antibes and the Lerins Islands. Choose swim stops, snorkeling, paddleboarding, island walks, or a relaxed cruise. The boat carries gear, water, shade, storage, and a swim platform, while food and drinks can be brought aboard.

“Philippe was wonderful and made sure we had a safe trip on the water. I also appreciated his knowledge about the area and the history he shared with us. We swam, snorkled and paddle boarded off the boat in the crystal blue water was unforgettable. The trip was well worth the money and the perfect way to break up all the walking from earlier in our trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review