Catamaran from Saint-Raphaël or Nice: Which to Book

The catamaran from Saint-Raphaël is a maxi-catamaran that leaves the Old Port of Saint-Raphaël, about 40 km from Cannes along the coast. You choose a morning or an afternoon departure, and the cruise lasts 3 to 4 hours. It costs $66 per person and is rated 4.7 from 446 reviews.

The route follows the Saint-Raphaël coast: past Île d’Or and its stone tower, along the red rocks and by the Anthéor viaduct. Then the boat stops in a quiet bay, and the deck becomes a base for swimming. Paddle boards, masks and snorkels are on board for you to use.

Drinks are part of the price: planter’s punch and soft drinks. The listing calls the trip all inclusive, so there is nothing to buy on board. Two house rules are worth knowing before you go: you walk barefoot on deck, and if you arrive late, the ticket is lost.

Alyssa from Australia: «Crew were great, definitely made the experience as good as it was.»

Leticia from the United States: «Loved the vibes. The guides were friendly… Great music, clean bathrooms, and the highlight of our trip.»

Kyle from the United Kingdom took two young children: «had a 5 year old and 8 year old with us who loved it, lay on net on way out and watched ocean, swam in sea, tried paddle boarding». If you bring children, check child prices on the listing.

One honest note from Erik in the Netherlands: the information shared on board «was only provided in French». Worth knowing if you hoped for an English commentary; the coast itself needs no translation.

For a French Riviera boat tour Nice is the other starting point on this page, and here you book the whole catamaran: $2,018 per group, up to 26 people, for 3 hours along the coast towards Cap-Ferrat. A local crew sails it.

The listing has no reviews yet, so there is no rating to go on; read the details on the listing before you book. For a couple or a family, the catamaran from Saint-Raphaël at $66 per person is the easier fit.

The lowest price for a catamaran leaving Cannes itself is $94 per person. That buys the half-day cruise: 3 hours from 14:00, starting with a 15-minute ferry from the Old Port to Île Sainte-Marguerite, where you step onto the catamaran. It stops off the Lérins Islands or in a bay of the Estérel to swim and snorkel, masks provided, and you are back at 17:15. It takes up to 80 passengers, is rated 4.4 from 576 reviews, and cards are not accepted on board, so bring cash.

Debby from the United Kingdom describes the change of boats: «The ferry took us to the island where we boarded the Catamaran. It was moored next to the ferry.»

So the catamaran from Saint-Raphaël costs less per person, is rated higher and includes drinks; if you are staying in Cannes, the half-day there saves you the journey along the coast. For a private boat, the catamaran from Port Gallice in Juan-les-Pins is $1,457 per group, up to 12 people for 4 to 8 hours, against $2,018 per group, up to 26 people for 3 hours in Nice. Neither private boat has reviews yet.

Book the catamaran from Saint-Raphaël. At $66 per person, with drinks, a swim stop and water toys included and a 4.7 rating from 446 reviews, it is the strongest value on this page.

A big group celebrating? The private catamaran in Nice gives you the whole boat for up to 26. Staying in Cannes and want no journey? Take the half-day cruise at $94 per person.

Our top pick is the full-day catamaran at $179 per person: 7 hours to the Lérins Islands and the Estérel, with a cold buffet lunch, a glass of wine and two swim stops. See it next to the other boats in our full list of catamarans.