Full Day Private Yacht Charter on our Pershing 40 in Saint Tropez

The best part of this Saint-Tropez outing is seeing the coast from a private Pershing 40 yacht, away from the road traffic and beach crowds. You spend a full eight hours moving between famous bays, rocky headlands and clear swimming spots, with time to stop rather than simply cruise past.

I like the generous route, which includes Les Canoubiers, Pampelonne, Cap Taillat, L’Escalet and Cap Camarat. I also like that paddleboard and snorkel equipment, snacks, soft drinks and water are supplied, so you can settle into the day without packing a boatload of extras.

The main consideration is price. At $2,889.87 for up to eight people, it can be good value for a full group, but fuel is charged separately. The meeting point is also in Marines de Cogolin, not central Saint-Tropez, although pickup from another nearby port can be arranged.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight hours on a private Pershing 40: Your group has the yacht to itself, with space for up to eight people.
• Five coastal stops: The route covers Les Canoubiers, Pampelonne, Cap Taillat, L’Escalet and Cap Camarat.
• Water gear included: You can use the onboard snorkel equipment and stand-up paddleboard during swimming stops.
• Marines de Cogolin departure: The standard meeting point is at the marina, with the exact berth sent by WhatsApp or email within five days of your charter.
• Good for a mixed-age group: You can combine swimming, sunbathing, sightseeing and gentle water activity in one day.
• Fuel is extra: Factor the surcharge into the total price before comparing this charter with other yacht options.

Why a private yacht changes the Saint-Tropez day

Saint-Tropez is easy to admire from land, but its best coastal scenery is spread along the peninsula. A private boat lets you connect the famous names with the quieter water between them.

You are not tied to a large group or a fixed seat. Your own party of up to eight can spend more time swimming, move on when the sun gets too strong, or linger at a cove that suits your mood. That flexibility matters on a full-day charter because eight hours afloat is long enough to feel like a proper holiday, not a quick sightseeing ride.

The Pershing 40 is also part of the appeal. It is described as spacious and smooth-running, which matters when you plan to spend most of the day on board. You should still expect the normal movement of a boat, but the yacht is intended for relaxed cruising, sunbathing and water stops rather than a rushed transfer from port to port.

Captains who have hosted this charter include Glen, Niamh, Mark and Steve. You cannot assume a particular captain will be assigned, but the experience can include local guidance, swimming suggestions and help arranging a lunch stop. One past day included lunch reservations at Tahiti Beach, so ask about this when booking rather than treating it as part of the standard package.

Starting at Marines de Cogolin at 10am

The regular start time is 10am, and the boats are berthed at Marines de Cogolin. This is a useful detail to settle early because Saint-Tropez-area ports can be busy, especially in summer.

You receive the exact location by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter. That means the general marina is known from the start, but the precise berth may arrive later. Keep an eye on your messages and allow enough time to find the boat.

Pickup is offered, and the operator can arrange collection from another nearby port if you request it when booking. This could make a real difference if you are staying in Saint-Tropez, Sainte-Maxime or another nearby coastal town. Confirm the extra arrangements and any added cost before the day.

A useful practical tip comes from a previous family booking: the party chose to depart from Saint-Maxime and found it quicker to board than leaving directly from the Saint-Tropez marina. That will not automatically apply to every booking, but it is worth asking about nearby departure points if you want to avoid a slow marina approach.

Les Canoubiers and the view toward the citadel

The first scheduled stop is Les Canoubiers, known as the Billionaires Bay of Saint-Tropez. It is associated with Brigitte Bardot and other well-known names, but you do not need a celebrity connection to enjoy the setting.

The planned two-hour stop gives you enough time to get into the water instead of taking a quick photo and moving on. This is where the included snorkel gear and stand-up paddleboard become useful. You can swim, paddle and look for marine life, with the possibility of spotting dolphins noted as part of the stop.

Dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, so treat that as a pleasant possibility rather than a promise. The real value here is time. Two hours gives a group the chance to take turns in the water while others sunbathe or relax on board.

At some point, the captain can point out the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez from the water and explain its past and present use. Seeing the fortification from offshore gives you a different angle from the usual town visit. It is a short sightseeing moment rather than a listed land visit, so do not expect to go ashore and tour the monument.

Pampelonne, the beach that made Saint-Tropez famous

The yacht then reaches Plage de Pampelonne, one of the most famous beaches near Saint-Tropez. Its place in popular culture grew after Brigitte Bardot appeared in the 1958 film And God Created Woman, helping put the area on the international map.

Pampelonne now covers several moods. You may see family beachgoers, polished beach clubs and people treating the Riviera as a stage for a long lunch and champagne. From the yacht, you can enjoy the coastline without committing to a crowded beach day.

The planned two hours here should suit anyone who wants a longer swim and a good stretch of sun time. It is also a natural point to ask about lunch plans. A reservation at Tahiti Beach was arranged for one previous group, but lunch is not included in the published package, so budget separately and confirm availability.

Pampelonne’s fame is also its drawback. It is not the most secluded stop on the route, and its party reputation may not match every group’s idea of peace and quiet. If you want a calmer day, Cap Taillat or L’Escalet may be more appealing.

Cap Taillat and the Blue Lagoon

Cap Taillat is described as difficult to reach by car, which explains why arriving by yacht feels worthwhile. The boat gives you access to a stretch of the peninsula that can be awkward to reach overland.

The two-hour stop focuses on the Blue Lagoon and the surrounding natural setting. This is likely to be one of the strongest parts of the day for swimming and quiet time. You can use the paddleboard, try the snorkel equipment or simply float near the yacht while the captain keeps the schedule moving at a comfortable pace.

The word secluded should be taken as relative rather than absolute, especially during high season. Cap Taillat is still a popular part of the coast, but arriving by boat offers a much easier way to enjoy it than attempting to reach every cove from shore.

Bring a towel, swimsuit and sun protection. Water and soft drinks are supplied, but the details do not list lunch, alcohol or a full meal. If you have dietary needs, ask what snacks are provided before departure.

L’Escalet for turquoise water and an easier pause

Plage de l’Escalet receives about an hour in the planned route. That is shorter than the stops at Les Canoubiers, Pampelonne and Cap Taillat, but it gives the day a change of pace.

L’Escalet is known for its rocky coast and clear water. It is a good place for a brief swim, a quiet hour on board or photographs of the shoreline. The shorter stop also helps keep the full route moving, since the yacht still has to cover several points along the peninsula.

I would think of L’Escalet as a scenic pause rather than the main event. If your group prefers water time over ticking off every cape, you can ask the captain how flexible the timing is. The exact balance may depend on weather, sea conditions and your group’s preferences.

Cap Camarat and the final coastal views

The route finishes its listed coastal stops at Cap Camarat, where rugged cliffs and wide views replace the softer feel of a sheltered beach. This is the place for a more dramatic side of the peninsula.

The planned hour is enough to take in the headland and enjoy the view from the yacht. It may appeal most to anyone who wants variety in the day. You get more than a string of identical swimming stops: famous beaches, quiet water, a fort, rocky points and open coastal views.

Cap Camarat may be less suited to a group whose only goal is swimming. Its appeal is the scenery and sense of open coast. The captain can help decide how much time to spend in the water and how much to devote to cruising past the cliffs.

After the final stop, the activity returns to the original meeting point. You should expect to be back after roughly eight hours, with the exact timing influenced by the route and conditions.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The included items are practical rather than extravagant:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Bottled water
• Soft drinks
• Snacks
• Restroom on board

This package works well for a day built around swimming and light activity. You do not need to rent a paddleboard separately or carry drinks for eight hours. A restroom also makes the long outing more comfortable, particularly for families.

The list does not include fuel. That surcharge can affect the final cost, so ask for the full total before paying. Lunch is not included either, even though the crew may be able to help arrange a reservation at a beach restaurant.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and any personal medication. The supplied information does not promise towels, meals, alcoholic drinks or hotel transfer, so do not assume these are waiting on board.

Is $2,889.87 good value for eight people?

The advertised price is $2,889.87 per group, with up to eight people aboard. At a full group of eight, that works out to about $361 per person before the fuel surcharge. For four people, the same yacht costs about $722 per person, again before fuel.

That makes the group size the key value question. A family or group of friends filling most of the eight places gets private use of a substantial yacht, an entire day on the water and access to several of the Riviera’s best-known coastal spots. The cost is harder to justify for only two or three people unless privacy and the yacht itself are central to your plans.

A shared boat can be cheaper, but it will not give you the same control over stops or the same private setting. A shorter private charter may also cost less, though it would mean cutting out some of the route. Compare the full price with fuel included before deciding.

The charter is booked an average of 54 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is sensible, particularly for summer dates. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Who will enjoy this day most?

This charter suits a group that wants its own space and is happy to spend most of a day around the water. Families can mix swimming and sightseeing, while couples or friends can use the yacht as a base for sun and coastal views.

It is especially useful for groups with different energy levels. One person can paddleboard, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay dry with a drink and a snack. The route also gives you a good mix of famous Saint-Tropez names and less accessible coastal areas.

It may not suit you if you want a land-based cultural tour, a guaranteed dolphin sighting or a full restaurant lunch included in the price. The citadel is viewed from the water, not visited, and the main activity is relaxation rather than a packed program of guided attractions.

Service animals are allowed, the boat is near public transportation, and the information says most people can participate. If anyone in your group has particular mobility needs, confirm the boarding arrangements before booking.

Weather, flexibility and cancellation

This experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Because this is an outdoor day, check the forecast before the deadline and keep your schedule flexible.

The route itself may need to change with sea conditions. Even if every named stop is not possible on a particular day, the private format gives your captain a chance to shape the outing around safe, enjoyable water time.

My recommendation

I would book this yacht charter if you can fill at least six to eight places and want a relaxed private day rather than a low-cost boat ride. The combination of a Pershing 40, several hours at anchor, included water gear and a route covering both Pampelonne and quieter capes gives the day real substance.

Ask three questions before confirming: What is the complete price including fuel? Can you depart from a nearby port such as Saint-Maxime? And can the captain help arrange lunch at Tahiti Beach or another coastal restaurant?

For a full group, those details can turn an expensive outing into a memorable shared day. For a small party, calculate carefully. The boat, privacy and eight-hour route are the product, and you pay for them even when your group does not use every available place.

FAQ

Where does the yacht charter start?

The standard meeting point is Marines de Cogolin. The exact berth is sent by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter.

What time does the charter begin?

The scheduled start time is 10am.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered, and collection from another nearby port can be arranged if requested at the time of booking.

Which places does the yacht visit?

The planned route includes Les Canoubiers, the view toward the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez, Plage de Pampelonne, Cap Taillat, Plage de l’Escalet and Cap Camarat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the charter.

Is a paddleboard included?

Yes. A stand-up paddleboard is provided on board.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks, bottled water and soft drinks are included. A full lunch is not listed as included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A fuel surcharge is not included and should be confirmed before booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.