Cannes, in the South of France, is a wonderful sailing destination.
This charming town offers beautiful scenery from its crystal-clear turquoise waters, majestic cliffs, and beautiful sandy beaches and the best way to experience it all is by going on a relaxing boat trip.
The best Cannes boat tours will take you around the stunning bay, allowing you to admire the gorgeous coastline, its many islands, and beaches, as well as some of the most famous spots in town like La Croisette.
On these guided trips you can also visit nearby attractions such as St Tropez or St-Marguerite Island and explore other hidden gems along the way. You’ll be able to swim in crystal-clear waters and even go snorkeling and spot marine life.
In this guide, you will find all the best boat tours from Cannes.
Don’t have time to read about all the tours on the list? No worries — the boat tour from Cannes is hands down this Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch. It has about more than 100 excellent reviews, takes you through the most breathtaking views along the coast, and includes a delicious lunch onboard.
🏆 SUMMARY: THE BEST BOAT TOUR FOR…
Keep reading for a detailed description of each of the tours.
Also, to make the most out of your trip to the French Riviera, check out the Best Boat Trips and Tours From Nice, the best Wine tours in Nice, and our guide to the Best Things to Do in Cannes.
11 Best Cannes Boat Trips
1- Classic Yacht Sailing in Cannes
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Experience the beauty of Cannes from a sophisticated perspective – aboard a classic wooden yacht.
Take in stunning views of the city’s iconic coastline, beaches, and islands as you sail along the Mediterranean.
Swim in crystal-clear waters, go snorkeling with the provided equipment, and even enjoy a charcuterie platter with local Rosé wine.
It was perfect: a sunny day with nice people, a wounderful Tour on board of a cozy, beautiful sailing yacht.
You get information about the area and a nice stop with a bath in the Mediterranean Sea including a delicious picknick. Thank you again for this perfect day.
Markus
Planning a trip to the South of France? Then make sure to join my Facebook group for the best tips, places, and hotels on the French Riviera.
2- Classic Sailboat Private Experience
Sailing in an actual sailboat is an intimate and wonderful experience I would recommend to anyone.
For that, Classic Boat Tours is a personal favorite of mine. I went sailing with them once and had such a lovely time! The captain is not only great company but also an experience and local sailor.
During the tour, we got to see the beautiful Lerins Islands, snorkel, swim in the sea, and even learned how to sail.
3- Full-Day Catamaran Cruise Departing from Cannes
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 9 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Sailing on a catamaran in Cannes is an experience nothing short of magical.
Spend a day aboard a luxurious vessel. Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or just enjoy the gentle waves lapping against your boat as you travel along the stunning coast.
Lunch and wine are included (which we love to see!).
It was a great experience.
The catamaran is gorgeous, clean and the crew are friendly and helpful.
The meal was rich and something for everyone. Thanks, we will definitely do it again! Recommended.
Viviana
4- Cannes: Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Alternatively, if you don’t have the whole day you can go on this half-day catamaran cruise – also with a delicious lunch included.
This tour will take you around the bay, allowing you to admire the gorgeous coastline, its many islands, and beaches as you swim, snorkel, or just enjoy a day out in the sun.
Wow, I can’t say enough great things about this excursion.
Luckily, we went out on a week day and there were only a few other people on board. It was so nice!
They had a gorgeous lunch on board for us. We sipped rose and swam behind the boat. They even had kayaks and paddle boards to try. Overall, it was a first class experience. We could not have been happier. The captain and his crew were a perfect 10.
5- Cannes: Round-Trip Boat Transfer to Saint-Tropez
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⛵ BOOK NOW
St. Tropez is an iconic idyllic coastal town in the South of France.
It’s a popular tourist destination known for being where the rich and famous vacation.
A boat trip from Cannes to St. Tropez offers a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful area of the French Riviera and be back in Cannes in time for dinner.
The boat trip itself and the staff on the return boat were superb and friendly. Very nice guide during the journey (approx. 1h15min) at passages of famous landmarks, historical sites and celebrities’ summer homes.
✈️ Need help planning your trip to the French Riviera?
6- From Cannes: Discover the Calanques of the Esterel
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
The Calanques of the Esterel are a truly impressive sight, with cliffs, hidden caves, and rocky outcrops jutting out of crystal blue waters.
On this tour, you will have a perfect day exploring the hidden coves, seeing the Calanques up close, and swimming in the sea.
The tour was a complete success: we were able to discover the most beautiful corners of the region from the water.
The stops with clear water invited to go snorkeling. The guide was great and gave lots of background information. Thank you for the great experience!
7- Lérins Islands Sunset Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
A sunset cruise around the Lerins Islands is unparalleled for its tranquility.
Spend a romantic evening sailing around the island and watch as the sun sets on the horizon.
I’ve had an amazing experience. Sylvain the guide was so kind and nice. He made the experience a very pleasant and nice one.
8- Scenic Coves RIB Boat Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Sail through crystalline waters, coves to caves, and unique cliffs, that can only be reached by boat in this tour of Calanques de l’Esterel.
9- Round-Trip Ferry to Ste. Marguerite Island
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⛵ BOOK NOW
An exciting adventure awaits on a round-trip ferry to Ste. Marguerite Island.
Situated off the gorgeous coast of Cannes, France in the Mediterranean Sea, this incredible spot has something for everyone.
Enjoy a day spent swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the many historic ruins that make up the island’s landscape.
Beautiful experience that allowed us to get away from the more crowded Cannes to enjoy a day in tranquility on the coasts of Santa Margherita Island.
Finding the meeting point was very simple, as was redeeming the tickets. More than recommended activity to appreciate even more the beautiful sea of the Côte d’Azur. Optimal price-quality ratio!
Alice
→ Read: Île Sainte-Marguerite, the best day trip from Cannes
10- Snorkeling in the Bay of Cannes
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
Exploring the sparkling waters of the Bay of Cannes by snorkeling is a truly unforgettable experience.
Dipping beneath the surface, visitors can observe an array of exotic fish and other marine life, with the chance to discover hidden treasures like shells or even unusual sea creatures.
Even if you don’t know how to dive, the relaxed atmosphere and calm waves make the Bay of Cannes ideal for those looking to dip their toes in for the first time – not to mention that with some patience you may be lucky enough to spot a passing dolphin or two!
Super fun day!
We had a great time and met a lot of nice people on the boat. Most people were from other countries so lots of accents and stories. The boat ride was very nice.
– Review
11- Cruise to Corniche d’Or from Cannes
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | ⛵ BOOK NOW
A cruise from Cannes to the stunning Corniche d’Or is an amazing way to experience the beauty of the French Riviera.
Crystal clear, turquoise waters lap against golden sands and you can sail Golfe de la Napoule. During the journey, visitors can admire some of the area’s most famous landmarks including the red rocks of Esterel.
What to bring on a boat tour
Cannes is a sophisticated destination and therefore, you should dress appropriately for a boat tour.
For men, this means long trousers (no jeans or shorts), a shirt with a collar (preferably a polo shirt or button-down shirt), and closed shoes (no sneakers or sandals).
Ladies, on the other hand, should opt for a summer dress or skirt and a top, as well as closed shoes.
It is also advisable to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect you from the sun’s rays, and don’t forget your camera or smartphone to capture those stunning views!
Finally, if you are planning on swimming during the tour make sure to have a spare set of clothes and a towel.
🧳 Still wondering what to pack for your trip? Then check out this guide on what to wear on the French Riviera.
Other tours & fun things to do in Cannes
Besides enjoying a day out in the water, there are many other wonderful things to do in Cannes. These are some of our favorites:
- Explore La Suquet, Cannes’s old town
- Buy fresh produce at Marché Forville
- Relax on Plage du Midi beach
- Visit the Musée de la Castre
- Take a stroll along Rue d’Antibes
Conclusion: The Best Cannes Boat Tours
That’s a wrap! We hope this guide helps you to find the right one for you and that you have an amazing day sailing in the Mediterranean Sea.
