Cruise / navigation in the Lerins Islands

Cannes looks best from the water. This small-group cruise takes you from the Vieux-Port to the Lerins Islands aboard Ulysse, an 11-meter sailboat run by Éric and Célia. I like the intimate group size, capped at six people, and the unhurried time spent at anchor for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, sunbathing, and enjoying the turquoise water.

I also like the warm, personal hosting. Célia and Éric treat the boat as their home, not just a floating platform for a tour, and they provide drinks, rosé, and a charcuterie snack. The main consideration is that this is not guaranteed to be a sailing trip. When the wind is light, Ulysse travels by motor, and rough water can make the crossing uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

Five things to know before booking

• An 11-meter family sailboat: Ulysse is a real cruising sailboat with a cushioned cockpit, bimini shade, and space at the bow for lying in the sun.
• The Lerins Islands are the main event: Most of the time is spent near the islands, with roughly two hours available for swimming, relaxing, and water activities.
• A tiny group makes it personal: The maximum is six paying participants, though Éric and Célia may also have their young child aboard.
• Swimming gear is provided: You can use the paddle, masks, and snorkels, but you need to bring sunscreen and a bath towel.
• The mood is friendly and informal: Expect conversation, music, drinks, and hosts who enjoy sharing stories, not a silent luxury cruise.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a cancellation or a change of date, and calm weather can turn the sailing portion into a motorboat ride.

Leaving Cannes from the Vieux-Port

The meeting point is at IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes, near Jetée Albert Edouard. This is a central spot, but finding the exact departure point may take a little patience. There is no large tour sign, and one person had difficulty locating the boat, so I would allow extra time and keep the meeting instructions close at hand.

Éric and Célia have sent detailed directions to some bookings, and the meeting point is listed on Google Maps. Still, a busy marina can be confusing. If you arrive early, ask around the port rather than wandering along the pontoons with luggage and beach gear.

Once aboard, you take off your shoes. That is common on private sailboats, and it helps keep the interior and deck clean. Think of Ulysse as a family boat that welcomes a few visitors, rather than as a large commercial vessel with a formal boarding routine.

The boat has a cockpit with cushions, a table, and a bimini that offers protection from the sun. At the front, you have open deck space for sunbathing or stretching out. The setup is comfortable for a small group, but six people plus the hosts can feel full, particularly if everyone wants shade at once.

The ride toward the Lerins Islands

The cruise lasts about three and a half hours, including the trip from Cannes to the islands, time at anchor, and the return to the same port. The ride gives you a different view of Cannes, with the city receding behind you and the coast opening up from sea level.

The boat’s sailing ability depends entirely on the day. With a good breeze, you may travel under sail, which is the experience many people hope for when booking. Several outings have had ideal wind, while others have used the engine because the sea was calm.

That distinction matters. If your main goal is a technical sailing lesson or several hours under sail, this may disappoint you. If you mainly want a comfortable boat ride to clear water near Cannes, the engine is less important. The trip is built around the islands and the time spent swimming, not around sailing instruction.

The sea can also be choppy. One person became unwell during a rough outing, and another noted that the water was slightly wavy at the anchorage. I would consider motion sickness medication if you know you are sensitive, and I would avoid arriving on an empty stomach.

Anchoring between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat

The Lerins Islands sit just offshore from Cannes and are the focus of the excursion. Ulysse anchors in the water between the islands, where the setting changes from city marina to open Mediterranean views.

The appeal here is simple: clear water, boats swinging at anchor, and a long pause to enjoy the sea instead of rushing from one landmark to the next. The area can be popular, so you should not expect a private, empty cove. Other boats may be nearby, especially during good weather.

This is still a pleasant place for a swim. The water has been described as turquoise and clear, with fish visible below the surface. You can use the masks and snorkels supplied on board, or simply jump in for a swim. The paddleboard adds another option if you would rather move around than float beside the boat.

You may also see the islands from a distance rather than go ashore. The published route lists the Lerins Islands as the stop, but this is a water-based cruise, not a walking tour of Sainte-Marguerite or Saint-Honorat. If you want museums, monastery visits, or a long island hike, you need a different excursion.

Célia may share some background about the islands during the trip. Her informal stories are part of the charm, especially if you enjoy getting to know the people running the boat. This is not a scripted history presentation, and the amount of discussion may vary with the group.

Two hours to swim, paddle, or simply do nothing

The best part of the timing is the long pause at anchor. You are not pushed into a series of brief stops. Instead, you have time to swim, try the paddleboard, use the snorkeling gear, sit under the bimini, or stretch out on the forward deck.

I like this format for a half-day in Cannes. It is long enough to feel like a proper outing but short enough to leave room for dinner, a museum, or an evening walk along the Croisette. Families have used the swimming and paddleboard time well, while couples have enjoyed sunbathing and a quiet drink.

The boat’s social mood is important. Éric and Célia are described as friendly, relaxed hosts who make a real effort to welcome people into their space. They may play music, talk with you, and share stories about their life and plans to sail around the world.

That atmosphere will suit you if you like a casual, sociable boat ride. It may not suit you if you want silence and solitude. One outing included loud Latin music and visiting friends, which made the boat feel more like a friendly gathering than a peaceful nature trip. You can ask for the music to be lowered or changed, but do not assume this is a silent cruise.

Rosé, charcuterie, and possible food from the sea

The price includes the skipper, hostess, fuel, and the advertised refreshments. You should not face a surprise charge for petrol or crew. Drinks have included water, soft drinks, wine, rosé, and beer, while the usual snack is a charcuterie platter.

The food is a welcome touch after swimming. It turns the stop into a leisurely lunch-style pause rather than a bare transport service. Some outings have also included pizza delivered from a pizza boat, and ice cream boats or burger boats may be available around the anchorage. These extra purchases are not described as part of the fixed tour price, so you should treat them as optional.

The charcuterie can vary. It has been praised as a tasty part of the outing, but one person received pizza that had cooled before it was eaten. That is a reminder that food on the water is casual and dependent on timing, not a restaurant meal.

Bring your own bath towel and sunscreen. The boat provides the water equipment, but not every personal item you need for a few hours in strong Mediterranean sun. A swimsuit, cover-up, sunglasses, and a secure bag for small belongings are sensible choices.

Is $157.28 a fair price?

At $157.28 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Lerins Islands. You are paying for a small group, a private-feeling sailboat, crew, fuel, refreshments, and several hours on the water.

The value improves if your group is small and you care about the experience aboard the boat itself. A large ferry can get you near the islands for less, but it will not give you the same personal hosting, onboard drinks, paddleboard, or flexible time at anchor. Some similar private-style options can cost considerably more.

The price is also easier to justify when Éric and Célia run the trip even with only one booking. That kind of flexibility is unusual for a small operation, though it should not be assumed for every date because the activity also has a minimum number of participants.

I would book this for a relaxed half-day rather than for transportation. The real value lies in the combination of a small sailboat, swimming stop, refreshments, and the chance to see Cannes from offshore.

Who will enjoy Ulysse most?

This outing is a good match for couples, families, and small groups who want an easy day on the water without committing to a full-day charter. Children who are comfortable around boats can enjoy swimming and the paddleboard, while someone who prefers shade can sit under the bimini.

It is also a good choice if you prefer local, personal hosting to a polished large-company operation. Éric and Célia take an active role in making people comfortable, keeping them hydrated, and checking that everyone is safe.

I would think twice if you have strong seasickness concerns, need a guaranteed sailing experience, or dislike music and conversation. The boat can feel crowded when all seats are occupied, and shade may be limited. The anchorage can also be busy with other boats.

The activity is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 145 ratings, with 97 percent recommending it. That strong score fits the main strengths: personal hosts, beautiful water, a friendly atmosphere, and a good amount of time to relax.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

The experience depends on safe marine conditions. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is sensible for a small sailboat, even though one late cancellation caused understandable frustration when the wind forecast changed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time in Cannes.

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the port is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but you should be honest about your comfort on moving water. A rough day can change the mood of the whole trip.

Should you book the Lerins Islands cruise?

I would book this if you want a friendly, small-group outing with swimming, clear water, rosé, and a relaxed family-boat atmosphere. The strongest reason to choose it is not simply the islands. It is the chance to spend several hours aboard Ulysse with Éric and Célia, enjoying the sea at an easy pace.

I would skip it if your priority is guaranteed wind-powered sailing, quiet contemplation, or a private cove free of other boats. For everyone else, this is a good-value way to add a few hours on the Mediterranean to a Cannes stay. Bring sunscreen, a towel, patience with marina directions, and an open mind about whether the boat moves by sail or motor.

FAQ

Where does the Lerins Islands cruise begin?

It begins at IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes, Jetée Albert Edouard, 06400 Cannes, France.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in the Vieux-Port of Cannes.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of six participants.

Are the skipper and hostess included in the price?

Yes. The skipper, hostess, and fuel are included, with no additional petrol or crew costs expected.

Is swimming equipment provided?

Yes. Paddle equipment, masks, and snorkels are provided. You should bring your own sunscreen and bath towel.

Is the trip always under sail?

No. The boat sails when wind conditions allow, but calm weather can mean traveling by motor.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.