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

The best part of this private boat trip is the freedom to shape your day on the water. Captain Philippe can take you from the Cap d’Antibes to the Lerins Islands, then pause wherever conditions and your interests suit you for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or a quiet look at the coast from offshore. I like the generous mix of activities and the chance to bring your own picnic. I also like the small group size, which keeps the boat personal rather than crowded.

The main catch is the extra €200 skipper fee, paid at the boat. Add that to the advertised $342 group price, plus your transport and food, and the final cost is higher than it first appears. Also note that the boat holds a maximum of five passengers plus the skipper, and the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or children under three.

Key Points

• A genuinely private outing: Your group of up to five has the boat and skipper to yourselves.
• Two strong coastal targets: The route can include Cap d’Antibes and the Lerins Islands, with views of Cannes, Juan-les-Pins, and Antibes from the sea.
• Swimming gear is supplied: Snorkels, masks, a paddleboard, swim noodles, life jackets, and drinking water are included.
• Philippe is a major part of the experience: He combines local stories, practical help, and calm supervision on the water.
• Choose three to six hours: A half-day works well for a swim and one or two stops, while the full-day option gives you time to see more without rushing.
• Plan for the real price: The €200 skipper charge is paid separately, and food, drinks, and marina transport are not included.

Why This Boat Trip Shows You the Riviera Better

Cannes is easy to admire from its promenades and hotel terraces, but the view changes once you leave the shore. From the boat, you see the curves of the Côte d’Azur, the villas and headlands around Cap d’Antibes, and the Lerins Islands as a group of green, quiet interruptions in the blue water.

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same script. You can spend more time swimming, stop for a walk, or simply sit under the boat’s shade with a drink and watch the coast slide by. That flexibility is the chief reason to choose this outing over a standard group cruise.

Captain Philippe also adds useful local context. He talks about Cannes, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, the islands, and the area’s past as you move between stops. His style, based on the many detailed outings he has led, is friendly and conversational rather than a long lecture. You get a sense of place without giving up your time in the water.

The private format matters most for families and small groups. If one person wants to snorkel while another would rather sit in the shade, you have room to adjust. Philippe has also been praised for helping nervous children feel comfortable around the boat and water. Still, the minimum age is three, and a young child’s comfort will depend on the sea conditions and the family’s own judgment.

Starting at Camille Rayon Marina

The meeting point is Camille Rayon Marina, accessible by car or public transport from Cannes and Antibes. The exact boat, meeting details, and departure time are confirmed by the skipper shortly before the trip, so check your messages rather than assuming every departure follows the same schedule.

You meet Philippe at the marina, go over basic boat rules, and get settled in the pilothouse boat. The layout includes a large cockpit with seating and a table, a fore-cabin, storage for bags, and a swimming platform at the stern. There is also shade, which becomes important on a bright summer day.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, cash, and clothing suited to the weather. Leave high-heeled shoes at your accommodation. The boat is meant for easy movement between seats, the cockpit, and the swimming platform, not for dressing up.

Bring only what you need. The boat has storage, but a small bag is easier to manage than a full beach load. Food and drinks are allowed onboard, and drinking water is supplied.

Cruising Toward Cap d’Antibes

The outing can begin with a cruise along the Golfe-Juan coast toward Cap d’Antibes. This opening stretch gives you time to settle into the boat and see the Riviera from offshore before the swimming stops begin.

Cap d’Antibes is a strong first destination because it gives you a broad view of the coast and its famous bays. From the water, the point is less about ticking off a monument and more about seeing how the peninsula shapes the shoreline. Philippe can point out places connected with Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and the wider Côte d’Azur.

This is also where the private format earns its keep. You can ask to spend more time looking at the coast, move on toward the islands, or make a swim stop if conditions are right. The route is not described as a rigid sequence, so your final plan depends on the length you book, the weather, and what you want to do.

If your group mainly wants swimming and paddleboarding, say so early. If you care more about scenery and local stories, tell Philippe that too. The more clearly you state your priorities, the easier it is to use the flexible itinerary well.

Crossing the Gulf to the Lerins Islands

After Cap d’Antibes, the boat can cross the gulf toward the Lerins Islands. The two best-known stops are Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, and the trip may include both or focus on one, depending on your time and plan.

Sainte-Marguerite is a good choice for combining a short walk with time in the water. You may stroll on the island, then return to the boat for a swim near the shore. Saint-Honorat offers a different mood, with its monastery and quieter feel. You can walk on the island while Philippe gives you background on the place and its wine-making tradition.

Do not expect an extended island tour during a three-hour booking. A short trip has to divide its time between cruising, swimming, and walking. If you want to explore an island at an unhurried pace and still enjoy several water stops, the six-hour option makes more sense.

The islands also offer food and drink possibilities. You can use restaurants on the islands, and boats may come alongside offering items such as snacks, ice cream, and drinks. These options are convenient, but I would still bring a picnic if you want a particular meal or need to keep spending under control.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and the Underwater Museum

The boat carries snorkeling gear, a stand-up paddleboard, swim noodles, and life jackets. That saves you from renting equipment separately and makes it easy to switch between activities during the same stop.

The water is the star. Philippe selects anchorage spots where you can swim, float, snorkel, or paddle, subject to conditions. Some outings have included the underwater museum near Sainte-Marguerite, where submerged head sculptures add something unusual to the snorkeling. This is not a major museum visit with a long formal explanation. It is a short, memorable underwater feature that gives your swim a purpose.

The paddleboard is useful even if you are not an expert. It can be a playful activity for children and a stable way to look around the boat without swimming far. Swim noodles make the water more relaxing for anyone who is not a strong swimmer, though you should still use the supplied life jackets and follow Philippe’s instructions.

Sea conditions can change the feel of this portion of the trip. Clear water and calm weather make snorkeling far more enjoyable than wind or chop. The skipper controls the route, but not the weather, so keep your expectations flexible. A strong boat day is not only about covering every planned point. Sometimes the right choice is to stay at a sheltered stop longer.

One practical detail: a jellyfish sting occurred during one outing, and Philippe had vinegar ready to help ease it. That does not make stings likely, but it does show why you should listen to the safety briefing and ask about current conditions before getting in.

A Boat Set Up for Relaxed Hours

The boat is comfortable rather than oversized. You have passenger seats, a cockpit table, storage, a fore-cabin, shade, and a swimming platform. That combination suits a small group that wants to spend several hours aboard without feeling packed in.

The large cockpit is the social center. You can sit together, eat a picnic, or keep your things within reach while someone uses the paddleboard. The table is handy for food, though you should secure loose items when the boat is moving.

The swimming platform makes getting in and out easier than climbing over the side. That is especially useful for families, older adults, or anyone who feels uncertain in open water. It is still a boat, not a fully accessible facility, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

You may bring food and drinks, and local delivery boats can bring pizza, ice cream, or beverages to the boat in some locations. A picnic from the marina or a nearby market is often the simplest plan. Remember that food and drinks are your responsibility, and the tour does not include them.

Three Hours or Six Hours?

The advertised duration ranges from three to six hours. Check the available start times and select the length based on how much you want to do, not just on the price.

A three-hour trip can work well for a couple or a small group that mainly wants a scenic cruise and a swim. You might fit in two snorkeling stops, as one outing did, but you will have less time for a proper island walk and a leisurely meal.

A half-day gives you a more comfortable balance. You can cruise toward the islands, hear about the coast, swim, use the paddleboard, and perhaps walk on Sainte-Honorat or Sainte-Marguerite. It is a good choice if your wider Riviera schedule includes other activities.

The six-hour trip is the better pick if this is meant to be one of the main days of your holiday. You have time to include Cap d’Antibes, more than one island, several water stops, lunch, and a slower return to the marina. Many families who booked a shorter trip wished they had chosen the full day, mainly because the water time passed quickly.

For a relaxed day, do not plan too many land stops. Every island walk takes time away from swimming, and every long cruise takes time away from exploring. Tell Philippe what matters most, then let him help set the pace.

The Real Cost and What You Get

The advertised price is $342 per group of up to five, but the skipper fee of €200 is paid separately at the boat. Transportation to the marina, food, and drinks are also extra.

That means the value depends on the size of your group. For five people, the cost is shared across a private boat, skipper, equipment, and several hours on the Riviera. Compared with booking separate seats on a cruise, you pay more for privacy but gain control over the route and timing.

For two people, the same fee is harder to justify unless you place a high value on privacy and personal attention. A couple seeking a special day on the water may find it worthwhile, while budget-minded visitors may prefer a shared cruise.

The included equipment adds real value. You do not need separate rentals for snorkeling gear or a paddleboard, and you can bring your own lunch rather than pay for an arranged meal. Just calculate the skipper fee before booking so the total does not surprise you.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour and the reserve-now, pay-later option give you some planning flexibility. The skipper’s message before departure is important because it includes the meeting details and weather information.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would choose this trip for:

• Families with children aged three and over who want a calm, private setting.
• Couples looking for a more personal day than a crowded sightseeing boat.
• Small groups that enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.
• Anyone who wants local stories mixed with time to relax.
• Repeat visitors to Antibes or Cannes who want to see the coast from a different angle.

It is less suitable if you dislike boats, cannot manage access to a swimming platform, or want a formal island tour with lots of time on land. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or children under three.

English and French are available. Philippe’s role is more than steering the boat. He explains the area, helps with equipment, gives clear instructions, and adjusts the outing to your group. That makes the trip a particularly good fit if you want guidance without being locked into a group schedule.

Should You Book This Private Lerins Islands Boat Trip?

Book it if you want a flexible day on the water and can comfortably handle the full cost after adding the €200 skipper fee. The strongest reasons are the private setting, the mix of Cap d’Antibes and the Lerins Islands, and the chance to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and walk ashore in one outing.

I would choose six hours for a family or group treating this as a highlight of the Riviera. Pick three hours if your schedule is tight and your priorities are a cruise plus a swim. Bring a picnic, wear practical clothes, and tell Philippe what you want before the boat leaves.

This is not the cheapest way to see the coast. It is one of the better choices if you want the Côte d’Azur on your own terms, with a capable local skipper, useful equipment, and enough freedom to spend the day as you please.

FAQ

Where does the private boat trip begin?

The trip begins at Camille Rayon Marina, which is accessible by car or public transport from Cannes and Antibes.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The private boat accommodates up to five passengers plus the skipper.

Is the skipper fee included in the advertised price?

No. The €200 skipper fee is paid at the boat separately from the advertised group price.

What equipment is provided?

The boat provides 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 there is storage for bags. You can also use restaurants on the marina or islands, as well as delivery boats that may offer snacks, ice cream, and drinks.

What places can the boat visit?

The trip can include Cap d’Antibes, the Golfe-Juan coast, and the Lerins Islands, including Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat. Stops depend on the duration, weather, and your preferences.

Is the trip suitable for young children or wheelchair users?

Children under three are not permitted, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Life jackets are provided, and Philippe gives boat and water-safety instructions.