Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch from Cannes

Setting sail from the Old Port of Cannes

The day starts at the boat terminal on Quai Saint-Pierre, in the Old Port of Cannes, below the old town of Le Suquet. After a welcome from the crew and a safety briefing, the catamaran heads out into the Bay of Cannes, giving you a wide view of the city: the palm-lined curve of La Croisette, the Festival Palace and the hills of Super-Cannes rising behind.

A catamaran is the most comfortable way to spend a full day at sea: its two hulls keep it stable and spacious, so even travellers who are not used to boats feel at ease. There is space to sunbathe on the nets, shaded seating at the stern and room to store your bag. If you are looking for a full-day boat trip from Cannes with lunch included, this is one of the most relaxed options.

The Lérins Islands channel

The first anchorage is usually the sheltered channel between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, the two Lérins Islands just off Cannes. Its shallow water over sand and seagrass meadows turns a vivid turquoise in summer, and it is one of the best swimming spots on the whole Riviera. Masks and snorkels are on board, so you can watch fish, starfish and sea urchins in the clear water.

When the sea is calm, the crew launches the kayak and the stand-up paddleboard, perfect for exploring the rocky shoreline of the islands at your own pace. The seagrass meadows here are protected, which is why the water stays so clear, and the crew anchors carefully to preserve them. Plan to spend a good hour in and around the water at each stop.

Saint-Honorat and Sainte-Marguerite from the sea

Sailing around the islands, you see Saint-Honorat, home to a monastic community since the 5th century, with its fortified monastery tower standing on the rocks at the water's edge. Built in the Middle Ages to shelter the monks from sea raiders, it is one of the most striking sights of the cruise, especially from the water.

Sainte-Marguerite, the larger island, is covered in a protected forest of Aleppo pines and eucalyptus and crowned by the Royal Fort, a 17th-century fortress later used as a state prison. Along its north shore, small coves and calm water attract yachts in summer. Your crew shares stories about the history of the islands, from Roman shipwrecks to the fortifications built to guard the bay.

Lunch at anchor and an afternoon on the water

Around midday, the catamaran drops anchor in a calm cove and the crew serves a cold buffet lunch on deck, with fresh dishes in the Mediterranean style. Eating at anchor with the islands all around is one of the best moments of the day. Special diet meals are not provided, so please tell us in advance about any requirement; the buffet is not halal-certified, and you are welcome to bring your own food.

The afternoon continues at an easy pace, with another swimming stop, more time on the paddleboard and kayak, or simply a rest on the nets. Water is included all day, and extra snacks and soft drinks can be bought on board, cash only. The crew adapts the anchorages to the wind, always choosing the most sheltered and clearest water.

The Bay of Cannes, the Esterel and Cap d'Antibes

From the middle of the bay, the views reach far along the coast: to the west, the red volcanic cliffs of the Esterel Massif plunge into the sea, while to the east the wooded peninsula of Cap d'Antibes and the hills of Golfe-Juan close the horizon. On clear days, the snowy peaks of the Alps appear behind the coast.

As the afternoon light softens, the catamaran sails back to the Old Port of Cannes, where the cruise ends about seven hours after departure. The best time to enjoy a catamaran day in Cannes is from June to September, when the sea is warm; late May and early October are calmer and still very pleasant on sunny days.