Private sailing excursion & Provencal picnic

The best part of this Cannes outing is its unhurried pace. You sail from the Old Port toward the Lerins Islands, stop for clear-water swimming and snorkeling, then settle into a Provencal picnic with homemade anchovy sauce, tzatziki, vegetables, bread, and rosé. Maxime, your skipper, can also teach you sailing basics and simple knots instead of treating you like a passenger.

I especially like the private format, which lets your group shape the day around swimming, island walks, sailing, or simply sitting on deck. I also like the free underwater eco-museum, with masks supplied, since it adds something beyond the usual boat-and-beach routine. The main consideration is the weather: light winds can mean more time motoring or swimming, while July and August bring heavier crowds around the islands.

Key Points

• A private sailboat for your group: You share the boat only with your own party and can discuss how you want to spend the day.
• Maxime’s hands-on approach: You can learn basic sailing and knot tying, ask about the boat and the Riviera, or simply relax while he handles the sailing.
• A fresh Provencal picnic: Expect vegetables, baguette, homemade anchovy sauce, homemade tzatziki, drinks, and one bottle of rosé for adults over 18.
• Swimming and snorkeling near Sainte-Marguerite: Masks, snorkeling equipment, and towels are included.
• A free underwater eco-museum: You can visit the museum behind Sainte-Marguerite Island with the supplied masks.
• Five to six hours on the water: The outing begins and ends at Cannes’ Esplanade Pantiero, near the Old Port.

From Cannes’ Old Port to the Lerins Islands

You meet at Esplanade Pantiero, along Promenade de la Pantiero, beside Cannes’ Old Port. The departure point is central and near public transportation, which makes this a practical choice if you are staying in Cannes without a car.

The first hour is devoted to sailing away from Cannes and toward the Lerins Islands. This is not simply a transfer to the swimming spot. Maxime may explain how the sailboat works, answer questions about the region, and let you try basic sailing tasks if you are interested. Previous outings have included lessons in handling the boat and tying knots, so you can take part without needing any sailing experience.

That personal approach matters. On a large sightseeing cruise, the route and timetable are fixed. Here, the boat belongs to your group for the day, and the pace can change with your interests and the conditions. You might spend more time sailing when the wind is favorable, or linger in the water when swimming is the better choice.

The boat is called Mambo 2. It is described as charming and well equipped for a day on the water, with snorkeling gear, masks, towels, and space for lunch. Still, remember that a sailboat is not a floating restaurant or a resort deck. Bring only what you need, and expect a day shaped by wind, water, and the practical limits of a boat.

Sainte-Marguerite Island and the Lerins Waters

Sainte-Marguerite is the main island stop, and the sailing route gives you a fresh view of the Riviera away from Cannes’ waterfront. The island offers two different kinds of time: you can stay near the boat for swimming and lunch, or go ashore for a walk.

The picnic may take place at anchor or at the dock. That choice depends on the conditions and the plan for the day. Eating at anchor keeps you close to the water and makes it easy to swim before or after lunch. Going to the dock gives you a better chance to walk on the island and look around on land.

You should ask Maxime early in the day how much island time you want. If you prefer a lazy water day, the itinerary can lean toward swimming, snorkeling, and lunch aboard. If you want to stretch your legs, you can use part of the four-hour island portion for a walk.

Some outings have also included Saint-Honorat, another of the Lerins Islands. Since the stated plan focuses on Sainte-Marguerite, treat Saint-Honorat as a possible adjustment rather than a guaranteed stop. The private format makes it worth discussing your priorities with Maxime before the boat leaves Cannes.

Snorkeling and the Underwater Eco-Museum

The water time is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion. Snorkeling equipment and diving masks are included, along with a bath towel, so you do not need to rent the basic gear separately.

Behind Sainte-Marguerite Island, you can visit a free underwater eco-museum. You will need to use the mask and enter the water to see it, making this more than a simple swim stop. The museum gives the outing a small educational element without turning the day into a formal lesson.

Clear water and fish are part of the appeal, but conditions can change. Wind, visibility, and sea conditions affect how rewarding snorkeling feels on the day. If swimming is your main goal, say so when you meet Maxime. If you are less interested in getting in the water, the island walk and picnic still give the outing a good shape.

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to be comfortable around a sailboat, swimming if you plan to snorkel, and moving between boat, dock, and shore if you go ashore. The supplied information does not describe special access arrangements, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking.

A Picnic Built Around Fresh Provencal Flavors

Lunch is not an afterthought. The meal centers on vegetables served with anchovy sauce and tzatziki, along with fresh bread. Several outings included baguette, drinks, homemade anchovy dip, and homemade tzatziki, with Maxime even sharing the recipes.

This is a simple meal, but it suits a hot day on the Riviera. Fresh vegetables and bread are easier to enjoy on a boat than a heavy, formal lunch. The anchovy sauce adds a strong salty flavor, while tzatziki gives you a cooler option. If you do not eat fish, the vegetables and tzatziki offer alternatives, and dietary needs can be accommodated if you provide them when booking.

One bottle of rosé is included for people over 18. That is a pleasant match for a picnic near the islands, but it is still only one bottle, not an open bar. Alcohol is not the focus of the outing, and you should not expect a full drinks service.

The food is also part of the value. A basic boat ride can leave you buying lunch separately at an island café or carrying food from Cannes. Here, the meal, fuel surcharge, snorkeling equipment, mask, towel, and rosé are included in the price, so the $138.17 per person cost covers much of the day’s core spending.

What the $138.17 Price Really Buys You

At $138.17 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Lerins Islands. Public boats can offer a simpler crossing, and you can arrange your own picnic for less. The comparison changes once you account for the private boat, skipper, several hours on the water, the meal, snorkeling equipment, towel, and the ability to shape the day around your group.

I see the best value here for two people, couples, close friends, or a small family group who care about privacy and flexibility. A private boat spreads its cost more effectively across a larger group, as long as everyone wants the same kind of day.

The price also buys time. You are not rushing from one fixed stop to another. You can swim twice, sail when the wind is good, walk on an island, eat aboard, and ask questions about the boat or the coast. One outing even included extra time on board and an ice cream stop, but do not treat those extras as guaranteed parts of every booking.

If your priority is only transportation to Sainte-Marguerite, this excursion may feel expensive. If you want a complete half-day with a personal skipper, lunch, and water activities, the cost is easier to justify.

A Flexible Day Rather Than a Fixed Schedule

The published duration is about five to six hours. The route lists one hour for the sail from Cannes and about four hours around Sainte-Marguerite, leaving some room for the day to develop naturally.

That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not expect a minute-by-minute program. Wind affects sailing. Sea conditions affect snorkeling. The skipper may adjust the order of swimming, lunch, walking, and sailing to make the day work better.

This is especially important in high season. July and August bring more traffic around the sites, so the islands may feel less peaceful and popular swimming areas may be busier. If you value quieter water, ask about departure timing and possible alternatives when booking.

Seasickness is another practical concern. If you know you suffer from it, bring your own medication. The tour provider specifically places that responsibility with you, and a private boat does not remove the motion of the sea.

Why Maxime Matters to the Experience

A private sailing day depends heavily on the skipper. Maxime’s role goes beyond steering. He can teach you the basics of sailing, explain knots, answer questions about the boat and the region, suggest places to swim, and adjust the outing to your interests.

That makes this a good fit if you want some interaction. You can learn as much or as little as you like. If you would rather sit quietly with a drink and watch Cannes recede, you can do that too.

The personal touches also suit special occasions. The boat has been used for a birthday outing, and the skipper has made an effort to accommodate couples and friends with different ideas about how to spend the day. Still, it is wise to be clear about your expectations. A group seeking serious sailing instruction will want to confirm how much hands-on sailing is possible, while a group seeking pure relaxation should say that plainly.

The tone is informal and local rather than polished and corporate. That can be a strength if you want a human connection and a flexible host. It may be less appealing if you prefer a large operator with a fixed script and many formal amenities.

Who Should Book This Cannes Sailing Trip

I would choose this outing if you want several Riviera pleasures in one half-day: sailing, swimming, snorkeling, a picnic, rosé, and an island walk. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families or small groups who enjoy being outdoors and do not mind adapting to the weather.

It is particularly good for:

• People who want a private boat instead of a crowded group cruise
• First-time sailors who would enjoy learning simple skills
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want equipment provided
• Food-minded visitors who prefer a casual local meal to a restaurant stop
• Anyone celebrating a birthday or looking for a relaxed special occasion
• Visitors who want to see the Lerins Islands without rushing

I would think twice if you dislike boats, are highly prone to seasickness, need a tightly timed itinerary, or want a full restaurant meal. The tour also asks for moderate physical fitness, and the water activities are optional but central to much of the appeal.

Bring sunscreen, since it is not included, plus any seasickness medication you need. You should also prepare for strong sun, time on the water, and the possibility that wind or crowds will change the exact plan.

Booking, Meeting Point, and Cancellation Details

Your meeting point is Esplanade Pantiero, Promenade de la Pantiero, 06400 Cannes. The activity returns to the same location, which makes planning the rest of your day simpler.

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered in English. It is commonly booked well ahead, around 48 days in advance on average, so I would not leave it until the last moment if your Cannes dates are fixed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed to operate the outing is not met.

Should You Book It?

Book this sailing trip if you want a personal, slow-paced day rather than a basic island transfer. The combination of Maxime’s flexible guiding, Mambo 2, the Lerins Islands, included snorkeling gear, the underwater eco-museum, and a homemade Provencal picnic gives you a lot to do without packing the schedule too tightly.

Skip it if you want the lowest-cost route to the islands or a guaranteed itinerary untouched by wind and sea conditions. For everyone else, especially couples and small private groups, this is a strong value for a full half-day on the water. Just bring sunscreen, prepare for possible seasickness, and tell Maxime whether you want to sail, swim, walk, or simply enjoy lunch beside Cannes.

FAQ

Where does the sailing excursion begin?

It begins at Esplanade Pantiero, Promenade de la Pantiero, 06400 Cannes, France.

Where does the activity end?

The excursion ends back at the meeting point in Cannes.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing excursion lasts approximately five to six hours.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes vegetables served with anchovy sauce and tzatziki. Fresh bread and beverages may also be part of the meal.

Is rosé included?

Yes. One bottle of rosé is included for people over 18 years of age.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a diving mask, and a bath towel are included.

Can I visit the underwater eco-museum?

Yes. You can visit the free underwater eco-museum behind Sainte-Marguerite Island, using the supplied mask.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Yes. The experience welcomes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dietary requirements.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the excursion is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

How far in advance can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.