Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with Snorkelling from Cannes

4.4 (576 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience

DurationAbout 3 hours
Daily in season (late spring to early autumn)
Group

Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with Snorkelling from Cannes

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Overview

Spend a relaxed afternoon on a spacious, fully equipped sailing catamaran around the Lérins Islands, just off Cannes. A short boat ride from the Old Port takes you to Sainte-Marguerite Island, where you board the catamaran and set off for about three hours of sailing, sunbathing on the nets and swimming in clear turquoise water. Masks and snorkels are provided, and when the weather allows you can also try the kayak and the stand-up paddleboard. Water and sweet snacks are served on board. It is a shared cruise with a friendly English and French-speaking crew, ideal for couples, friends and families with children who want to enjoy the sea without organising a private boat.

Highlights

Afternoon sailing on a spacious catamaran in the Bay of Cannes
Swimming and snorkelling in the clear channel of the Lérins Islands
Kayak and stand-up paddleboard when the weather allows
Views of Saint-Honorat's fortified monastery and Sainte-Marguerite's Royal Fort
Sunbathing nets and shaded seating on board
Water and sweet snacks included
Boat ticket from Cannes to the catamaran included

Full Description

From the Old Port of Cannes to Sainte-Marguerite

Your afternoon begins at the boat terminal on Quai Saint-Pierre, in the Old Port of Cannes, at the foot of the old town of Le Suquet. A regular boat, included in your booking, crosses to Sainte-Marguerite Island in about 15 minutes, with lovely views back over La Croisette, the Festival Palace and the hills of Super-Cannes.

At Sainte-Marguerite the crew welcomes you aboard the catamaran, moored in the calm water off the island. Catamarans are stable, roomy and comfortable even for travellers who are not used to boats: there are nets at the front for sunbathing, shaded seats at the back and plenty of space to move around. After a short safety briefing, the sails go up and the cruise begins.

The Lérins Islands channel: swimming and snorkelling

Between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat lies a shallow, sheltered channel with sandy patches and seagrass meadows, where the water takes on a vivid turquoise colour in summer. It is one of the best places to swim near Cannes, and the catamaran anchors here for a long swimming stop. Masks and snorkels are provided, so you can watch small fish, sea urchins and the waving seagrass below.

When the sea is calm, the crew also lets you take out the kayak and the stand-up paddleboard, a great way to explore the shoreline of the islands at your own pace. If you are looking for a catamaran cruise in Cannes with snorkelling, this is the classic route: short sailing legs, long time in the water and a relaxed atmosphere on board.

Saint-Honorat and its fortified monastery

From the water you get the best view of Saint-Honorat, the smaller of the Lérins Islands, home to a monastic community since the 5th century. Its most striking building is the fortified monastery tower standing right on the rocks at the southern tip of the island, built in the Middle Ages to protect the monks from raiders coming by sea.

The island is covered with pines, olive trees and small chapels, and its quiet shoreline is a peaceful contrast to the glamour of Cannes just a few kilometres away. Sailing slowly along its coast, the crew shares the history of the islands, from Roman times to the fortifications built later to guard the bay. It is one of the most photographed views of the cruise, especially in the golden afternoon light.

Sainte-Marguerite and the Bay of Cannes

Sainte-Marguerite, the larger island, is covered by a protected forest of Aleppo pines and eucalyptus and crowned by the Royal Fort, a 17th-century fortress that later served as a state prison. From the catamaran you see its ramparts above the sea and the small coves along the north shore, where yachts anchor on summer afternoons.

As the cruise ends, the catamaran sails back across the Bay of Cannes with a wide panorama of the city: Le Suquet and its watchtower, the long beach of La Croisette and, to the west, the red cliffs of the Esterel. The best time to enjoy a catamaran trip in Cannes is from June to September, when the water is warmest, though late spring and early autumn are calmer and less crowded.

Itinerary

Boat terminal, Old Port of CannesCheck in at 20 Quai Saint-Pierre and take the included boat to Sainte-Marguerite Island, about 15 minutes.
Boarding the catamaranMeet the crew, settle in and listen to a short safety briefing before setting sail.
Sailing around the Lérins IslandsCruise past Saint-Honorat's fortified monastery and Sainte-Marguerite's Royal Fort.
Swimming and snorkelling stopAnchor in the clear channel between the islands for about an hour of swimming, snorkelling, kayak and paddleboard, weather permitting.
Snacks and returnEnjoy water and sweet snacks on deck before sailing back; the cruise lasts about three hours in total.

What's included

Boat ticket from Cannes to Sainte-Marguerite Island to board the catamaran
Half-day catamaran cruise with an English-speaking crew
Snorkelling masks and snorkels
Kayak (weather permitting)
Stand-up paddleboard (weather permitting)
Water and sweet snacks

Not included

Meals
Towels
Extra snacks and drinks bought on board
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Is this right for you?

Great for

Anyone who wants to see it from the water

Think twice if

You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
You get seasick easily

Not suitable for

Wheelchair users
Travellers who cannot swim should stay on board or wear a life jacket in the water
Pregnant women

Meeting point

Meet at the boat terminal at 20 Quai Saint-Pierre, in the Old Port of Cannes, and arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure. A regular boat included in your booking takes you to Sainte-Marguerite Island, where you board the catamaran. The cruise is an afternoon departure; the booking panel on this page shows the time for your date. Hotel pickup is not included, but the Old Port is central and easy to reach on foot from most hotels.

Important information

Bring swimwear, a towel (not provided), sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Meals are not included; have lunch before you go. Extra snacks and soft drinks can be bought on board.
Kayak and paddleboard use depends on weather and sea conditions.
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times on board and in the water.
Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and a light layer for the return.
Use reef-friendly sunscreen to protect the seagrass meadows.
The cruise may be cancelled or shortened in strong wind or rough sea.

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

Is this a shared or a private tour?

It is a shared cruise on a catamaran with other passengers. If you would like a boat only for your party, ask us about our private boat trip to the Lérins Islands.

Can we change the itinerary or the pace?

The route is set for everyone on board and adapted by the skipper to the wind and sea. On a shared catamaran the pace is relaxed, with plenty of time in the water.

How many people are on the catamaran?

Catamarans are spacious, with room on the nets, the deck and in the shade, so even on busy days you have space to relax.

Is the price per person or per group?

The price is per person, with a children's rate for young travellers. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for your date.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You meet at the Old Port of Cannes. The boat ticket from Cannes to the catamaran at Sainte-Marguerite is included.

What is included?

The boat ticket to Sainte-Marguerite, the three-hour catamaran cruise with crew, masks and snorkels, kayak and paddleboard when the weather allows, plus water and sweet snacks.

How long is the cruise?

About three hours on the catamaran, plus the short boat ride from Cannes to the island.

Is it suitable for children and travellers with reduced mobility?

Children enjoy it very much and must stay with an adult. Boarding involves steps and moving between boats, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Swimming is optional. You can stay on board and enjoy the views, and non-swimmers should wear a life jacket if they go into the water.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a waterproof bag and a light layer for the ride back.

When is the best season for this cruise?

June to September for the warmest sea. May and early October are calmer and still pleasant on sunny days.

How do I book and confirm?

Choose your date in the booking panel and complete the booking. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes and answers any question before your cruise.