Cannes Bay overlooks one of the most picturesque stretches of the Mediterranean coast. The town lies at the centre of the Gulf of Napoule, and every direction is no more than twenty miles away. Within this radius lie three contrasting landscapes: the Lérins archipelago to the south, the rocky Cap d’Antibes to the east, and the volcanic massif of the Estérel to the west.
Any boat charter in Cannes takes this diversity into account: the itinerary includes several stops, each with its own unique character. In a single day of chartering a boat in Cannes, you can visit a medieval monastery, a secluded cove and a backdrop of volcanic cliffs. Let’s take a look at the key highlights of these three destinations and the finer points of preparing for your trip.
The Lérins Islands: a half-hour walk from the Croisette
The archipelago is situated one and a half nautical miles off the coast of Cannes, and the crossing takes between 15 and 30 minutes. The two main islands, Sainte-Marguerite and Sainte-Honorate, are surrounded by shallow waters with visibility of up to fifteen metres. Depths around the islands range from one to twenty metres, and most boats can get close to the shore. For a first exploration of the local waters, this is the most logical and safest choice.
The Esterel Massif is part of a protected natural area. Discharging waste water into coastal waters is prohibited, and seasonal restrictions on anchoring apply in several bays. Before setting sail, it is advisable to check the current regulations with your skipper or at the Cannes harbour master’s office.
The main attractions of the archipelago are concentrated on Saint Marguerite. People stop here for anything from a couple of hours to a whole day. It’s worth planning stops at at least three places:
- Fort Royal. A 17th-century fortress where, according to legend, a mysterious prisoner in an iron mask was held. Inside is a museum of underwater archaeology featuring artefacts from the Roman and Saracen periods.
- The Southern Coastal Trail. A walking route approximately 3 km long through eucalyptus and pine forests. The trail offers views of the Estérel massif and the open sea.
- Bateguié Bay. A sandy-bottomed anchorage sheltered from the mistral, with a depth of 3–5 metres. A convenient spot for lunch on board and swimming from the stern.
The neighbouring Saint-Honorat is smaller in size, but it is home to the active Lérins Abbey, founded as far back as the 5th century. The Cistercian monks produce wines and liqueurs, which are sold in the abbey shop. Mooring is permitted only at the mooring posts in designated areas, and during the peak season there may be no free spaces available.
Eastern route: Cap d’Antibes and the Bay of Juan-les-Pins
The route from Cannes to the tip of the Cap d’Antibes runs via Golfe-Juan and is approximately eight nautical miles long. Along the way, there are views of the coastal villas of Golfe-Juan, and as you approach Antibes, the silhouette of Fort Carré appears against the backdrop of the Alps. For a day trip to the east, Yacht Charter French Riviera recommends including a stop at Garoup Beach on the eastern slope of the cape. It is much quieter here under the pine trees than on the town beaches of Antibes, and the anchorage is suitable for vessels with a draught of up to two metres.
The Eastern route combines three types of holiday:
- You can drop anchor off Garoup Beach and spend an hour or so out on the water. The spot is sheltered from the main flow of boats and jet skis.
- The shallow part of the Baie de Juan-les-Pins is ideal for snorkelling. The sandy seabed and visibility of up to ten metres create comfortable conditions.
- At the port of Galis, it’s convenient to moor for a couple of hours, have lunch on the promenade and take a stroll around the town.
On the return journey, it’s worth sailing around the Lérins Islands from the east to see the archipelago from a different angle. The total duration of the trip is between seven and nine hours, so it is best to set off no later than nine in the morning. A flexible schedule is a hallmark of a private boat charter in Cannes: you can easily linger in a bay you like or shorten the itinerary if the weather changes.
The Red Cliffs of Esterel: the western route
Beyond the commune of Mandelieu-la-Napoule lies the Esterel massif, which stretches along the coast as far as Saint-Raphaël. The red colour of the rocks is due to volcanic porphyry dating back over 250 million years. Between Mandelieu and Agay, the coastline is indented by dozens of narrow coves, many of which are accessible only by water. From the boat, the contrast between the terracotta rock, the dark-green pine needles and the turquoise sea is particularly striking in the morning, when the low sun illuminates the landscape.
Key stops along the western route where it is convenient to stop:
- Figaret Bay, with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and rocky seabed;
- Mala Bay, at the foot of Cape Cap-Ru;
- Aege Port, a cosy fishing harbour with restaurants along the waterfront;
- Aege Bay, a spacious anchorage for vessels of all sizes.
It is about ten nautical miles from Cannes to Figaret Bay, and around fifteen to the port of Agay. The journey by motor yacht takes between forty minutes and an hour and a half. For those wishing to hire a yacht in Cannes for a full day, heading west is the best option: there is enough time to explore three or four bays at a leisurely pace and return by evening.
What to consider when planning your exit
The main factor when choosing a route is the wind. The mistral can turn a calm sea into a rough one in an hour. With a north-westerly wind, it is better to head east: the Cap d’Antibes partially shields the water from the waves. The levant, an easterly wind, is less common, but brings swells on the return journey from the Estérel. As well as the wind, it is worth taking other factors into account:
- Seasonality: from June to August, the waters off Cannes are teeming with mega-yachts, motorboats and jet skis. In May and September, the waters are less crowded, whilst the weather remains just as pleasant for swimming.
- Daylight hours: in the height of summer, the sun sets after 9 pm, so you can return before dark even if you set off late. By September, the daylight hours are shorter.
- Protected areas: there are restrictions on anchoring and discharging waste near the Lérins Islands and the Estérel massif. Maps of these areas are published on the website of the Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean.
- Provisions: there are restaurants on the islands and in the port of Aege, but for day trips it is more convenient to stock up on food in advance. A number of charter companies offer on-board catering.
Planning your route in advance saves you an hour and a half of driving time and helps you avoid situations where your chosen car park turns out to be closed or full.
The waters off Cannes combine proximity to civilisation with a variety of coastal landscapes. The Island, Eastern and Western routes can be sailed individually or combined into a two-day itinerary, alternating between the different routes. Even those returning to the Côte d’Azur for the umpteenth time continue to discover new coves and vantage points here. All you need to do is check the wind forecast, decide on a direction and set sail whilst the waters are calm.
