Why a catamaran rather than another boat
On the Côte d'Azur there are a thousand ways to get out on the water: a scheduled shuttle, a motorboat, a monohull sailing boat. The catamaran has three very concrete advantages. Its two hulls make it stable, which changes everything for passengers prone to seasickness and for children. Its deck is wide and flat, with nets at the bow where you lie down above the water. And its shallow draught lets it anchor close to the shore, where the water is at its clearest.
It is also a boat designed for living on board. You swim from it, have lunch in the shade, spend a whole day on it without feeling cramped. For a group of friends, a family or a small team on a seminar on La Croisette, it offers a real shared space, far from the crowds on the central beaches.
Three classic routes from the Bay of Cannes
Most trips are built around three destinations, which you combine according to the length of the outing and the weather on the day.
- The Lérins Islands. A few nautical miles from La Croisette, Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat are the obvious outing. The channel that separates them offers one of the finest anchorages on the coast, with turquoise water and the pine forest as a backdrop. Our pointers for choosing between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat help you decide whether a stop ashore is worth it.
- The Estérel and the Corniche d'Or. To the west, the red rocks plunge into a very blue sea. The coves there are often inaccessible by road, which makes them ideal ground for paddleboarding and snorkelling. Visually, it is the most spectacular trip.
- Cap d'Antibes. To the east, the wooded headland and its villas are better seen from the water than from the footpath. A destination to keep for a full day, sailing past Juan-les-Pins.
The most ambitious push on as far as Saint-Tropez on a long day. It can be done, but you then spend more time sailing than swimming: save it for days when the sea is calm.
Half day, full day or evening: the formats
The length you choose determines almost everything else. The table below sums up what each format allows.
| Format | Ideal for | Realistic destinations | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half day | First trip, children | Lérins Islands, Bay of Cannes | The sea is often calmer in the morning |
| Full day | Groups, a real break | Estérel, Cap d'Antibes | Lunch on board to plan or book |
| Evening | Couples, birthdays | Bay of Cannes, Lérins | Sunset over the Estérel |
The evening trip deserves a mention: when the sun drops behind the Estérel massif, the bay takes on colours you never see from the beach. It is also when the anchorages empty out.
What to check before you book
Not all catamaran trips are equal. Before booking, a few simple questions avoid disappointment.
- Private or shared? A private charter lets you set the pace and the stops. A shared trip costs less but follows a fixed programme.
- Is the skipper included? For most visitors, it is essential. A skipper who speaks English is a plus if the group is international.
- What is on board? Paddleboards, masks and snorkels, a cool box: the equipment makes a real difference over a day. The meal is sometimes an optional extra, to be ordered in advance.
- Where do you board? The departure harbour is not always the Vieux-Port in Cannes. Some companies leave from Mandelieu-la-Napoule and offer a pick-up in the Bay of Cannes.
By way of example, Nomad Catamaran offers private trips on a maxi catamaran with a skipper who speaks both French and English, for a half day, a full day or an evening. Its boats leave from Port de la Rague, in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, with pick-up options in the Bay of Cannes, and carry paddleboards and snorkelling equipment. The routes cover the Lérins Islands, the Estérel, Cap d'Antibes and, on a long day, Saint-Tropez. An option to consider for a group that wants the sea to itself.
What we'd skip
Trying to see everything in half a day. Lérins, the Estérel and Cap d'Antibes in the same morning means three hours under engine and twenty minutes in the water. We prefer a single, well-chosen destination with two proper swims.
Packed shared trips in the middle of August, when the boat follows the same programme as ten others and anchors in the thick of the crowd off Sainte-Marguerite. If the budget allows, a private charter changes the experience completely. Otherwise, aim for June or September.
Going ahead with a trip at all costs on a mistral day. A skipper who suggests postponing or staying sheltered in the bay is not spoiling your day: he is sparing you three hours of chop.
Preparing your day at sea
A few habits make the trip more enjoyable. Bring a reef-safe sunscreen, shoes that do not mark the deck, a light windbreaker for the way back and a towel. Leave suitcases and hard bags ashore: a soft bag is far easier to stow on board.
If you are staying in the centre, factor the journey to the boarding harbour into your morning. To reach Mandelieu-la-Napoule without a car or to combine the trip with a visit to the town, our pointers on Mandelieu-la-Napoule and our guide to getting around Cannes without a car will save you time. And if your stay is short, a day at sea fits very well into our Cannes in 3 days itinerary, in place of the shuttle crossing to the islands.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a boat licence for a catamaran trip in Cannes?
No, not for a trip with a skipper. The skipper sails the boat, handles the anchoring and chooses the route according to the weather. All you have to do is enjoy the swimming and the scenery.
Half day or full day: which should you choose?
A half day is enough for the Lérins Islands, which are very close, with one or two swims. A full day lets you go further, towards the red rocks of the Estérel or Cap d'Antibes, without rushing and with a proper lunch at anchor.
Where do catamarans leave from around Cannes?
It depends on the company. Some leave from the Vieux-Port, others from neighbouring harbours such as Port de la Rague, in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, west of Cannes. Always check the exact boarding point when you book, as well as the options for a pick-up in the Bay of Cannes.
What is the best time of year for a trip out to sea?
From June to September the sea is at its warmest and the days at their longest. May and early October often bring calmer water and quieter anchorages. The mistral can push a trip back: a good skipper then adapts the route rather than taking risks.