Half a day under sail
A Lérins Islands sailing trip is the small-group way out to the islands off Cannes: a sailboat for up to six guests, three and a half hours on the water, a skipper and a hostess, drinks and a platter of cured meats and cheeses. Here is what $168 per person covers, how the day runs, and how it compares with two catamaran trips that cost less per person.
Quick answer
The short answer. Book the Lérins Islands sailing trip at $168 per person if a small group matters most to you: six guests at most, drinks and a cheese and charcuterie platter in the price, and paddles, masks and snorkels on board. Want a proper lunch? The catamaran with lunch at $129 per person serves a cold buffet with a glass of wine. Want the best-rated boat of the three? The small catamaran from Port Canto at $123 per person holds up to 14 guests and scores 4.9.
Three boats, side by side
All three prices are per person. The sailboat is the smallest group of the three and the priciest; the catamarans carry more guests. Lengths and ratings are the live listing figures.
| Boat | Price | Length | What is on board | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailboat, up to 6 guests | $168 per person | 3.5 hours | Drinks, a cheese and charcuterie platter, paddles, masks and snorkels | 4.8 · 64 |
| Small catamaran, up to 14 | $123 per person | 3 hours | Paddle boards, a swim and an aperitif; alcohol not included | 4.9 · 375 |
| Catamaran with lunch | $129 per person | 4 hours | A swim and snorkel stop, a cold buffet and a glass of wine | 4.5 · 273 |
The sailboat
Six guests, a skipper, a hostess and three and a half hours.
The Lérins Islands sailing trip leaves Cannes on a sailboat that takes six participants at most. Its listing calls it a relaxing half-day moored between the Lérins Islands, among their landscapes and turquoise water. So plan on swimming and lazing on deck rather than a long passage: the islands sit just off the Cannes shore, and the time goes on the water, not on getting there.
The boat is laid out for that kind of day. The cockpit has cushions and a table for eating, shaded by a bimini, a fabric canopy over the deck. At the front there is room to lie in the sun or simply stretch out. Paddles, masks and snorkels are provided, so the swim needs nothing from your bag but swimwear and a towel.
A qualified professional skipper sails the boat and a hostess looks after the guests; the live guide speaks French, English and Spanish. The hostess meets you on the square before boarding. The listing does not name the quay, so read the meeting point on it before you set off.
From the sailboat
Two frames from the sailboat listing: the platter on board and the water around the islands.
Cured meats, two cheeses, cucumber and bread: the platter in the price.
Silver fish in clear water, filmed under the surface. Fish come and go on their own.
What the price covers
On the Lérins Islands sailing trip, the listing says fuel, crew and food are all in the price.
A qualified professional skipper, a hostess and the fuel are included.
Served at the cockpit table. It is a platter, not a sit-down lunch.
Rosé, beer, water, cola and other soft drinks are listed as included.
On board for the swim. Bring swimwear, a towel and sun cream.
The listing does not mention a hotel pickup. Make your own way to the meeting point.
The two catamarans
Bigger boats, more guests and a lower price per person.
The small catamaran from Port Canto costs $123 per person for 3 hours and takes up to 14 guests outside private bookings. It is the best rated of the three, 4.9 from 375 reviews. The plan is swimming and paddle boards, then an aperitif at sunset. Alcohol is not included, so bring your own if you want it; between the islands, small boats sell drinks and snacks. The listing is plain that it does not suit anyone who cannot swim.
Lora from Bulgaria wrote: «very spacious catamaran, great views of the sunset… The water was pristine blue with so many fishes around.»
The catamaran with lunch costs $129 per person for 4 hours. Boarding is at 10:15 in the Old Port of Cannes; the boat stops at the Lérins Islands for a swim and snorkel and, around 13:00, serves a cold buffet with a glass of wine. At 14:15 you step off on Île Sainte-Marguerite and take the ferry back to the Old Port. It sails with at least 15 passengers, and cards are not accepted on board, so carry cash for extras.
Holly from the United Kingdom: «Amazing catamaran, paddle board, snorkelling equipment and kayaks all available, lovely lunch and wine…»
Who each boat suits
Pick by group size, by the swim and by what you want to eat.
Six guests at most, a hostess, and drinks and a platter already in the price.
4.9 from 375 reviews, paddle boards and a sunset aperitif. Strong swimmers only.
A cold buffet and a glass of wine, and the lowest price per hour of the three.
Check child prices on the listing before you book.
Our verdict
Book the sailboat for the small group. If you want a quiet Lérins Islands sailing trip with six guests at most and the drinks and platter already paid for, $168 per person buys you that space and a crew of two.
Want the best rating for less? The small catamaran at $123 per person scores 4.9. Want lunch? The catamaran with lunch at $129 per person serves a buffet and wine.
Before you go
A few minutes now saves a missed boarding later.
The hostess meets guests on the square; the exact spot is on the listing.
Swimwear, a towel and sun cream. Paddles, masks and snorkels are on board.
The listing lets you reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation.
The live guide speaks French, English and Spanish.
Book direct
The sailboat and two catamarans, all priced per person, plus our top pick for a full day at sea.
★ 4.8 · 64 reviews
★ 4.9 · 375 reviews
★ 4.5 · 273 reviews
★ 4.5 · 137 reviews
Compare with the other boat trips
Our top pick is the full-day catamaran: 7 hours to the Lérins Islands and the Estérel coves, with a cold buffet lunch and wine, at $179 per person. To see all seven catamarans in one list, open our list of catamaran trips.
Common questions
3.5 hours. Start times vary, so check availability on the listing. For comparison, the small catamaran runs 3 hours and the catamaran with lunch 4 hours.
The skipper, a hostess and the fuel; rosé, beer, water, cola and other soft drinks; a platter of cured meats and cheeses; and paddles, masks and snorkels for the swim.
Six participants at most. The small catamaran takes up to 14 guests outside private bookings, and the catamaran with lunch sails with at least 15 passengers.
On the sailboat you get a platter of cured meats and cheeses, not a full lunch. The catamaran with lunch serves a cold buffet with a glass of wine at about 13:00. The small catamaran serves an aperitif.
Yes, on all three boats. The sailboat provides paddles, masks and snorkels. The small catamaran does not suit anyone who cannot swim. On the catamaran with lunch, cards are not accepted on board, so bring cash for extras.
Go deeper
Ferries from Cannes to Île Sainte-Marguerite compared: the round trip, the tickets, how long the crossing takes and what a return costs.
Boat to Saint-TropezThe round-trip boat from Cannes to Saint-Tropez: the timetable, the time ashore and what the price covers.
Estérel by boatThe boat trip from Cannes to the red rocks and calanques of the Estérel: length, route and price.
Private boat tripsPrivate boats from Cannes to the Lérins Islands and Cap d'Antibes: group size, hours and what each price covers.
Jet skiJet ski rides in Cannes with or without an instructor: length and price.
Vintage bus city tourThe two-hour city tour of Cannes in a vintage bus: the route, the length and the price.
Full-Day Catamaran Cruise Departing from Cannes
★ 4.5 · 137 reviews · 7 hours