Snorkeling in Cannes: Private Boat Tour to Lerins Islands

The islands are closer than you think, and the water is clearer than the postcard.

A private boat tour from Cannes marina to the Lerins Islands with a local skipper who has sailed these waters since childhood. You choose between a half-day or full-day option, snorkel at anchored spots, walk one of the islands, and paddle board if the water calls for it. The boat holds up to five passengers plus the skipper, and snorkeling gear is provided. The skipper fee of 200 euros is paid at the boat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour to Lerins Islands

• Meet skipper at Golfe-Juan marina
• Cruise along French Riviera coastline
• Learn local history and fun facts
• Stop at Sainte-Marguerite Island
• Swim, snorkel, or paddle board
• Stroll on Saint-Honorat Island
• Relax and chill on the boat
• Return to marina

The experience

You meet at Golfe-Juan marina, just minutes from Cannes center, where your skipper boards and the boat heads out toward Sainte-Marguerite Island. The 28-foot boat carries snorkeling equipment and a paddle board, so you decide as you go: swim at the first anchorage or save it for the second. The skipper knows the islands from childhood and steers toward the clearest water and the best shelter, reading the day as it unfolds rather than following a fixed route.

Sainte-Marguerite holds the fortress where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned, and the skipper shares that history while you're anchored offshore. Saint-Honorat, the second island, has its own character: a place to walk and absorb rather than rush through. Between the two, you snorkel in water that stays calm because the skipper picks the lee side, and you can paddle board, float, or simply sit on deck and watch the Riviera coastline recede. The full-day option adds Cap d'Antibes in the morning, a billionaire's bay with its own vibe, so the route stretches depending on what you choose at checkout.

Bottled water is on board. Snorkeling gear and the paddle board come with the tour. The skipper speaks English and French, so the commentary flows without translation lag. Because the boat is private (just your group and the skipper), the pace is yours: linger at one island longer, skip the second, anchor twice at the same spot, or head somewhere else if the weather shifts. That flexibility is what a private boat gives you that a group tour cannot.

What’s included

• Snorkeling gear and paddle board.
• bottled water.
• private boat with bilingual skipper.
• gas and boat operation.
• visits to Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat islands with time to swim and walk ashore.

Options for this experience

2 options

Half Day TourGuide in English or French · Available from 1 May 2027Lasts 3 hours

Day TourGuide in English or French · Available from 1 May 2027Upgrade to a day tour of about 6 hours, with time to visit Cap d'Antibes and have lunch on the island

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 3h–6h, from € 290 per group, with a live guide in English and French, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 20278 departing soon ›

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Live guideEnglish and FrenchOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.1 with pickup ›

Book up to10h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Riviera Boating

Is this one for you?Book the half-day tour if you have an afternoon free and want to escape the Cannes crowds without committing the whole day. Choose the full-day option if you're staying longer and want to add Cap d'Antibes and spend more time anchored at each stop. The skipper adjusts the route based on weather and your mood, so the itinerary is yours to shape as you go.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I snorkel if I've never done it before?

Yes. The skipper provides snorkeling gear and anchors in shallow, calm water where you can stand and practice before venturing deeper. The tour suits all fitness levels, and the skipper chooses spots based on conditions and your comfort.

What's the difference between the half-day and full-day tour?

The half-day tour visits the Lerins Islands (Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat) with snorkeling and a walk on one island. The full-day option adds Cap d'Antibes in the morning, extending the route and giving you more time at each stop.

Is the paddle board included, or do I pay extra?

The paddle board is included in the tour. It's on board and available whenever you want to use it, whether for a few minutes or longer.

How far is the marina from Cannes center?

Golfe-Juan marina is just a few minutes from Cannes center, so the boat departs close to where most hotels and the city are located.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

The skipper reads the conditions and adjusts the route: Cap d'Antibes is an alternative to the Lerins Islands if the weather favors it. You're on the water with someone who has sailed these routes since childhood and knows where to go.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided with the tour, so you arrive at the marina with just yourself and a swimsuit.