Cannes Private Boat Tour to the Lerins Islands – Relax & Cruise

The most unusual part of this Cannes boat trip is the underwater eco-museum between the Lerins Islands. Six large statues sit a few meters below the surface, so you can swim above them with a mask and snorkel rather than simply admire the coast from the deck. Afterward, you can head toward Sainte-Marguerite or Saint Honorat for a change of pace.

I like the private format, which gives your group room to swim, relax, and shape the outing around your interests. I also like the easy mix of sea time, island scenery, and history, especially Fort Royal and its link to the Man in the Iron Mask. The main catch is cost: the advertised group price does not include the €300 captain and service charge, so confirm the full total before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Six underwater statues: Snorkel in the clear water over an unusual submerged art installation between the islands.
• Two very different islands: Sainte-Marguerite offers protected nature and Fort Royal, while Saint Honorat is home to Cistercian monks and historic sites.
• Private boat for up to nine: You share the boat only with your own group, making it useful for families and friends.
• Four hours from Port Pierre Canto: The meeting point is at 100 Bd de la Croisette, about 15 minutes from the city by boat.
• Wine and water included: Snorkeling equipment and a float are supplied, along with bottled water and a complimentary bottle of wine.
• Check the real price: The €300 captain and service fee is not included in the headline price. A €200 Seabob is optional.

Leaving Cannes from Port Pierre Canto

Your outing begins at LEO BOAT, located at Port Pierre Canto, 100 Bd de la Croisette. This is a convenient place to start if you are already along Cannes’ famous waterfront, and the activity returns to the same meeting point after about four hours.

The boat ride gives you a pleasant change from Cannes streets and hotel terraces. Within roughly 15 minutes, the Lerins Islands sit offshore, close enough for a half-day trip but far enough to feel like a proper escape. That short crossing matters if you want plenty of time for swimming and island visits instead of spending most of the booking in transit.

The boat is private for your group, with space for up to nine people. That is a better setup than joining a large sightseeing cruise if you want to stop for a swim, let children use the float, or simply sit with a glass of wine and enjoy the coast without strangers around you.

Your captain is a major part of the experience. Captains named in the feedback include Paulo, Rodolphe, Aida, Raffa, and Ralph. The strongest praise centers on captains who are friendly, professional, helpful, and familiar with the islands. One family especially enjoyed Aida’s care and local guidance, while Ralph was singled out for making the views and the Seabob experience more enjoyable.

Because the captain and service charge is listed separately at €300 per booking, ask for the complete cost before you set your plans. The $468.09 group price may look attractive for nine people, but the added fee changes the calculation. For a full group, the base price works out to about $52 per person before the captain fee and currency conversion. For a smaller party, the total per person rises quickly.

Swimming above the underwater statues

The main swimming stop lasts about two hours, giving you the longest stretch of the outing for the sea. The water between the Lerins Islands is described as turquoise, and the attraction here is not just a quick jump overboard. You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment to find the six submerged statues a few meters below the surface.

This is a good choice if you like your boat trips to include something distinctive. Many coastal excursions offer swimming and a pretty view. This one adds a small underwater art museum, giving you a clear reason to put on the mask and look below the surface.

You do not need to bring your own snorkeling gear, since equipment is included. A float is also provided, which may help children or anyone who would rather spend time in the water without swimming continuously. Bottled water is included too, an easy but useful detail during a sunny afternoon.

The exact swimming conditions depend on the weather. The operator requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for an activity built around being on the water, but you should keep some flexibility in your schedule if possible.

The optional Seabob costs €200. This is not part of the standard package, so you should treat it as an extra rather than a surprise add-on at the dock. It may appeal to confident swimmers who want a faster ride through the water, while most people can enjoy the statues with the included snorkeling equipment.

Sainte-Marguerite and Fort Royal

Sainte-Marguerite is the more natural of the two main islands. It is described as a protected refuge for marine and land species, so the appeal is less about a packed sightseeing schedule and more about wooded paths, open views, and a quiet break from Cannes.

The island’s best-known landmark is Fort Royal. Listed as a historic monument, the fort is tied to the story of the Man in the Iron Mask, its most famous prisoner. That connection gives the stop a memorable hook, especially if you like a little history with your swimming and sunshine.

You may have time to explore part of the island after the water stop, but keep your expectations realistic. The entire activity lasts about four hours, and the sea portion takes around two hours. The listed island visit is about one hour, so this is an introduction to Sainte-Marguerite rather than a full day of walking through every path and building.

I like this balance. You get a taste of the fort and the island’s protected setting without giving up the main reason to book the boat, which is time on the water. If your priority is a detailed fort visit, you may want a longer island-focused outing instead.

Saint Honorat and the monastic island

Saint Honorat offers a different mood. Cistercian monks live on the island, and historic landmarks provide a stronger cultural focus than Sainte-Marguerite’s natural setting.

A stop here can add substance to what might otherwise be a simple swim-and-sun trip. You can pair time in the water with a look at a place shaped by religious life and centuries of local history. The available information does not promise a guided monastery tour or specify which buildings you will enter, so think of this as a short visit rather than a formal historical program.

The island’s character also makes it a good choice for mixed groups. One person can enjoy the scenery and atmosphere, while another gets a taste of local history. Families may prefer Sainte-Marguerite if they want more room for a relaxed outdoor break, while adults interested in heritage may find Saint Honorat more rewarding.

The captain may adjust the order or emphasis of the stops according to conditions and your group’s wishes, but you should confirm what is planned at the beginning. The tour description gives both islands as part of the experience, yet four hours is not enough for a lengthy visit to every site on both.

Wine, floats, and a relaxed afternoon

A complimentary bottle of wine is included, along with bottled water. This helps the tour feel less like a rigid sightseeing transfer and more like a private afternoon on the coast. You can swim, sit on the boat, take in the views, and make the outing your own.

The relaxed tone comes through in the small details. One family had ice cream delivered to the boat by a snack boat, which shows that you may be able to make casual purchases while stopped on the water. Ice cream delivery is not advertised as a guaranteed feature, so treat it as a possible extra rather than something included.

The float is handy for those who want to lounge in the sea, and the private setting means you do not have to match a large group’s schedule. The experience suits people who prefer an unhurried outing to a packed checklist of coastal sights.

Still, this is not a fully catered luxury charter. The inclusions are limited to water, one bottle of wine, snorkeling equipment, a float, and fuel. You may want to clarify what food or additional drinks you can bring or buy before departure, since meals are not listed.

What the €468.09 price really means

The stated price is $468.09 per group of up to nine, but the separate €300 captain and service charge is the key financial detail. You should calculate the combined cost, not judge the tour from the headline amount alone.

For a group of nine, the trip can offer fair value if you want a private boat and would otherwise book several smaller activities. You get four hours, a captain, fuel, snorkeling equipment, a float, water, wine, and access to both islands. The cost is harder to justify for two or three people, unless privacy and flexibility matter more to you than keeping the price low.

The €200 Seabob is another optional expense. If you add it, ask whether that price applies to the whole booking or a set period of use, since the supplied details do not specify those terms.

The 4.7 rating from 21 reviews and a 95 percent recommendation rate point to a strong overall experience, but the small number of ratings means you should still read the price terms carefully. One serious complaint involved a cancellation by the operator followed by a request for an extra €400. That is not consistent with the stated price information, so confirm availability and all mandatory charges in writing before your date.

Which captain can shape the day

The captain matters more than it might on a basic transfer. You are spending several hours in a small private setting, and the captain controls the route, timing, safety, and general feel of the trip.

Paulo received praise for professionalism and for choosing good spots around the islands. Rodolphe was described as friendly and helpful, with the underwater statues and a relaxed afternoon becoming highlights. Aida drew especially warm praise for her local knowledge, kindness, and attention to a family’s needs.

Raffa was credited with making a Cote d’Azur afternoon feel special, and Ralph was praised for his hospitality and interesting commentary. These names give you a useful tip: if a particular captain is available when you book, you can ask about requesting that person, though no specific captain is guaranteed.

You should also tell the operator if your group has children, non-swimmers, or a strong preference for island time over water time. The tour is private, so it is worth using that flexibility.

Who will enjoy this Cannes boat trip

I would recommend this outing most strongly to:

• Families wanting a private half-day on the sea
• Couples or friends who value quiet time and scenic swimming
• Small groups that want snorkeling without joining a large cruise
• People interested in combining a beach break with Fort Royal or Saint Honorat
• Confident swimmers who may want to add the Seabob

It may be less suitable if you want a full historical tour, a long walk on both islands, or a low-cost group excursion. The trip is also weather dependent, and the central activity involves getting into the sea, so you should be comfortable with that format.

The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. It is near public transportation, though no detailed transport directions are provided beyond the Port Pierre Canto address.

Cancellation and practical details

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity ends where it starts. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Since weather can cancel the trip, avoid scheduling it on the final few hours of your Cannes stay if the boat outing is important to you. A different date or a full refund is offered when poor weather forces cancellation.

Bring swimwear and anything you personally need for comfort, but remember that the listed inclusions already cover the basic snorkeling setup. Confirm the captain fee, the total currency amount, the planned island stops, and any Seabob terms before you go.

Should you book the Lerins Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible half-day that mixes swimming, underwater art, wine, and a short look at two distinctive islands. The six statues give the trip a memorable center, while Fort Royal and the Cistercian community on Saint Honorat add more than a simple cruise around the bay.

I would be cautious if your budget is tight or if you assume the $468.09 price includes everything. The additional €300 captain and service fee is substantial, and the optional Seabob adds another €200. Get the full written cost first, then decide.

For a group of friends or a family of up to nine, the math can work well. For a couple, the same boat may feel expensive. With a good-weather forecast and a captain such as Paulo, Rodolphe, Aida, Raffa, or Ralph available, this is one of the more personal ways to experience the islands from Cannes.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

It begins at LEO BOAT, Cannes Boat Tours & Rental, at Port Pierre Canto, 100 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the original meeting point at Port Pierre Canto.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for your group only and can include up to nine people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a float are included, along with bottled water and a complimentary bottle of wine.

Is the captain included in the advertised price?

No. A captain and service charge of €300 per booking is listed separately. Confirm the complete price before booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.