Half-Day Sailboat Trip to the Lérins Islands from Cannes

Sailing from the Old Port of Cannes

Your trip begins on the Promenade de la Pantiero, beside the Old Port of Cannes, where fishing boats still moor alongside yachts below the hill of Le Suquet. Once aboard, the skipper explains the safety points, then motors gently out of the harbour before the sails go up. Looking back, you get one of the finest views of the city: the old town crowned by its watchtower, the Festival Palace and the long curve of La Croisette with its palm trees and beaches.

The crossing to the islands takes around 30 to 45 minutes under sail, depending on the wind. Guests are welcome to help with the ropes or simply relax on deck and watch the coast slip by. Many travellers ask how to get to the Lérins Islands without the busy ferries; a small-group sailboat trip is the most relaxed answer.

The Lérins Islands

The Lérins Islands lie only about a kilometre off the tip of La Croisette, yet they feel a world away from the city. There are two main islands: Sainte-Marguerite, the larger, about 3 kilometres long and covered in Aleppo pine and eucalyptus forest, and a smaller southern island that has been home to a community of monks since the early 5th century. No cars are allowed on either, and the coastline is a protected natural area.

From the water you see what most visitors on foot miss: hidden coves, rocky points, the old fortified monastery tower on the smaller island rising straight from the sea, and the green slopes of Sainte-Marguerite. If you are wondering whether the Lérins Islands are worth visiting, approaching them under sail is perhaps the most beautiful way to discover them.

Sainte-Marguerite Island and Fort Royal

On the northern shore of Sainte-Marguerite stand the walls of Fort Royal, a 17th-century fortress later reinforced to guard the approaches to Cannes. For centuries it served as a state prison, and today it houses a museum of the sea with finds from ancient shipwrecks discovered around the islands. Its stone ramparts and the lighthouse nearby make a striking sight from the deck as you sail along the coast.

The sailboat follows the island's shoreline so you can admire the fort, the pine-fringed beaches and the clear shallows from close up. This trip does not land on the island, but if you would like to visit Fort Royal on another day, we can advise you on the ferry from Cannes, which takes about 15 minutes.

Swimming and Snorkelling between the Islands

The highlight of the trip is the anchorage in the channel between Sainte-Marguerite and the smaller island, an area known for its sandy bottom and astonishingly clear, turquoise water. It is sheltered from most winds, so the sea is usually calm enough for everyone to swim straight off the boat. Masks and snorkels are provided, and beneath the surface you will see meadows of Posidonia seagrass, which keep the water clear and shelter fish such as bream and wrasse.

A stand-up paddle board is also on board for those who want to try it, while others prefer to sunbathe on deck. Soft drinks and a light snack platter are served during the stop. The water is warmest from late June to September, when it reaches around 23 to 26 degrees.

The Bay of Cannes and the Esterel Views

On the return sail, the whole bay opens up in front of you: the city of Cannes backed by green hills and, on clear days, the snow-capped Alps far in the distance. To the west, the Esterel massif drops to the sea in jagged cliffs of red volcanic rock, especially vivid in the afternoon light, which makes the 14:30 departure popular with photographers.

The morning departure is calmer and cooler, ideal for families with young children, while the afternoon trip ends with the softer light of the late day over the bay. The best time to visit the Lérins Islands for swimming is June to September; in spring and early autumn the sailing is often at its best, with steady breezes and fewer boats at anchor.