Private Boat Charter in the Bay of St Tropez

The best St. Tropez views come from offshore. This private four-hour boat charter lets you shape the day around your group, with stops for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or simply watching the coast slide by. I especially like the private format for up to six people and the fact that water-sports equipment is included rather than charged one item at a time. The main catch is the extra fuel cost, which depends on how much fast cruising and towing you choose.

I also like the practical setup: you bring your own food and drinks, while the crew provides ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox. Guides named in the feedback, including Matt and Sirio, are praised for being attentive, flexible, and good with families. Just remember that this is a four-hour outing, not a full-day cruise, so you will need to balance sightseeing, swimming, and sports.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to six: You do not share the boat with strangers, and your group can help shape the route.
• Water sports are included: Paddleboards, wakeboards, waterskis, inflatable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids are available at no extra charge.
• Marines de Cogolin is the usual departure point: Pickup from St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud costs €50.
• Fuel is separate: A €100 fuel deposit is collected before departure, with the final amount based on actual use.
• The route mixes glamour and relaxed bays: You can see St. Tropez harbor, swim near the Canoubiers, and visit Port Grimaud.
• Best for an active small group: Families and friends get the most from the boat because everyone can choose between sports and quiet cruising.

Why a private charter works well here

The Bay of St. Tropez is best understood from the water. From a boat, you see the famous harbor, villa-lined coves, beaches, and smaller coastal corners without spending the whole day moving through road traffic or searching for parking.

The private format matters. With a shared excursion, you usually follow a fixed schedule and accept whatever pace the group sets. Here, your six-person group can spend more time swimming, move on to Port Grimaud, or try several pieces of equipment. If the children want a towable tube while the adults prefer a calm cruise, the captain can adjust the day around those preferences.

This flexibility is the strongest reason to book. The charter is not just transport around the bay. It gives you a boat, a skipper, and a menu of ways to use the water.

The cost is listed at $300.72 per group of up to six, before fuel and any paid pickup fee. Divided six ways, the base price is about $50 per person. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, but you also get a private boat with room to relax and no strangers aboard. That makes the value strongest for a family or group of friends.

The boat is described as tidy, comfortable, and well suited to both quick rides and gentle cruising. Exact dimensions are not provided, so do not expect a large yacht with separate cabins or extensive indoor space. The appeal is a practical small boat that gets you close to the coast and lets you play in the water.

Starting at Marines de Cogolin

The standard departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin. This is important when planning your day because Cogolin is not the same as central St. Tropez, even though the charter visits the bay around St. Tropez.

Pickup can be arranged from St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud for €50. You need to request that option when booking. The extra charge is per pickup arrangement, and the supplied details do not specify any other transfer service, so plan your own way to the chosen port.

A mobile ticket makes arrival simple. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the departure area is near public transportation. Still, give yourself enough time to reach the marina. A private boat waits for your group, but the four-hour schedule is not designed around late arrivals.

The captain handles the boat, so you do not need a boating license or piloting experience. That is a major advantage for anyone who wants the freedom of a private charter without the pressure of navigating unfamiliar coastal waters.

Port of Saint Tropez: a short look at the famous harbor

The first planned stop is Port de Saint Tropez, where you get about 30 minutes to take in the harbor. This is the polished, high-profile side of the town, with superyachts and famous bars along the quayside.

From the boat, the harbor gives you a quick visual introduction to St. Tropez. You see the money and glamour that made the town famous, but you avoid committing your whole morning to the waterfront. If you have already walked the port, this portion may feel less essential. If you are new to St. Tropez, it is a useful orientation from a different angle.

Do not expect a long shore visit here. The stop is listed as a short harbor visit, not a full walking tour of the town. The value is the view, the atmosphere, and the chance to see the large yachts from the water.

The captain can also add local background. Matt and Sirio are praised for explaining the places along the route and sharing information about St. Tropez. The level of commentary may vary with the captain and the interests of your group, but the experience is not presented as a silent boat transfer.

Plage des Graniers: swimming beside a classic beach

The next stop is Plage des Graniers, where the boat anchors in the bay for roughly 30 minutes. This is your first clear chance to get into the water, use a snorkel, or take a tender boat to the beach bar.

The short stop works well if you want a quick swim before continuing. It also gives you a choice: stay aboard, swim around the boat, or head toward the beach for a drink. A lunch reservation at Les Graniers restaurant can be arranged if requested, though food and drinks are not included in the charter price.

This is one place where time management matters. Thirty minutes can pass quickly once people are swimming, drying off, and deciding whether to go ashore. If lunch is a priority, mention it before departure rather than leaving the decision until the boat is already moving.

The beach stop adds a touch of land-based Saint Tropez without turning the charter into a beach day. If your group prefers water sports, you may decide that the longer stop at the Canoubiers is more valuable.

Plage des Canoubiers and Millionaires Bay

The charter then heads toward Baie de Canebiers, also known as Millionaires Bay. The planned stop lasts about an hour, making it the best part of the route for unhurried water time.

Here, you can moor near the boat and swim, snorkel, or use a stand-up paddleboard. The equipment is provided, including snorkels and buoyancy aids. The supplied details also include wakeboards, waterskis, and inflatable towables, although the exact activity available at a given moment will depend on conditions, equipment, and the captain’s judgment.

Families get a lot from this section. Children can try several activities instead of being limited to a single short swim. One family described using snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, waterskiing, and a towed inflatable during a half-day outing. Another family said a donut ride was the perfect finale for two young children.

The word Millionaires Bay hints at the scenery, but the real pleasure is the pause. After the faster boat movement, you can slow down, float near the vessel, and take in the coastline. The boat becomes your base, locker, and shaded place to rest between activities.

There is one practical tradeoff. Towed sports use fuel. The operator estimates about €45 per hour for high speeds, heavy loads, wakeboarding, and inflatable towables. Gentle cruising is estimated at €15 per hour, while stopping in bays uses no fuel. If you want to keep costs down, spend more time anchored and less time being pulled behind the boat.

Port Grimaud, the canal town by the sea

The final planned stop is Port Grimaud, a picturesque canal settlement often called the Little Venice of France. You can step ashore for a walk, stop for an ice cream or beer, or arrange lunch.

This is a useful change of pace after the swimming stop. Instead of looking at the coast from the boat, you get to explore a village on foot. The canals and waterfront setting make it feel very different from the grand harbor of St. Tropez.

The planned visit is about one hour. That is enough for a relaxed stroll and a refreshment, but not a full exploration of every corner. If your group wants a substantial lunch, that meal will take up much of the stop. If you want to maximize time on the water, make Port Grimaud a quick walk and return to the boat.

The spelling of Port Grimaud is occasionally written incorrectly in informal material, so use the correct name when searching for directions or discussing pickup. The important point is that it is both a possible departure point and a sightseeing stop. A €50 pickup fee applies if you want the charter to collect you there rather than depart from Marines de Cogolin.

Water sports, comfort, and safety

The equipment list is unusually broad for a four-hour private charter. You can use:

• Stand-up paddleboards
• Snorkels
• Buoyancy aids
• Wakeboards
• Waterskis
• Inflatable towables and tubes

This variety lets your group set its own tone. You can make the outing energetic, or use only the paddleboards and snorkels for a slower day. The crew can guide you through the water activities, which is helpful if some members of your group have little experience.

Buoyancy aids are included, but the information does not specify age limits, swimming requirements, or the precise safety rules for each activity. If you are booking with young children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer, ask the operator about suitability before you go.

The boat is described as having enough room for two people to lie back comfortably, and the feedback also praises its tidy condition. With six people aboard, space will naturally feel more limited than it does for a couple. Six is the maximum capacity, not necessarily the ideal number if everyone wants to spread out with towels and bags.

Bring your own picnic and watch the fuel bill

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own supplies and place them in the boat’s coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are provided, which saves you from packing the basics.

This arrangement is both convenient and cost-conscious. You choose what to eat instead of paying marina prices, and you can bring drinks suited to your group. Pack items that are easy to handle on a moving boat, and keep the cooler organized so it does not become a wrestling match every time someone wants water.

Fuel is the main extra cost to understand. A €100 deposit is collected before the trip. If the boat uses less fuel, the difference is returned after the outing. If it uses more, the shortfall is invoiced at the end.

The final amount depends heavily on your choices. Gentle cruising is estimated at €15 per hour, while wakeboarding, towing, and higher speeds can use around €45 per hour. The listed base price is therefore not the complete cost, but it is possible to control the extra expense by limiting high-speed activities.

What the strongest feedback tells you

The praise is remarkably consistent, with a 5 out of 5 rating from 58 responses and 100 percent recommending the experience. The most repeated strengths are the captains, the personal service, the flexible route, and the mix of relaxing and active time.

Matt is praised for being well prepared with paddleboards and tubing equipment, and for adjusting pickup arrangements. Sirio is singled out for his friendly manner, explanations, and care with families. The names are useful because they show that the quality of the day depends not only on the boat but also on the person running it.

Families describe the outing as a highlight of their stay, especially because children can try several activities. Couples also appreciate having a private boat with enough room to relax. That range matters: this is not limited to thrill seekers.

The feedback is almost entirely positive, so it gives less information about bad-weather disruption, crowded conditions, or how the boat feels at full capacity. You should judge the experience on the stated terms: it is a flexible private charter with water sports, not a luxury yacht cruise with guaranteed sunshine.

Who will get the most from this boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families with children who want several water activities in one outing
• Friend groups sharing the cost of a private boat
• Couples who value privacy and quiet cruising
• Visitors staying around Cogolin, St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud
• Anyone who wants a mix of swimming, sightseeing, and a short village visit

It may be less suitable if you want a long guided walking tour, a formal meal included in the price, or a large yacht with extensive interior space. It is also not the best match for someone who dislikes changing plans or being around water-sports equipment.

For the best balance, I would tell the captain in advance what matters most to you. A family might request time for a tube ride and paddleboarding. A couple might prefer more gentle cruising and a longer swim. A group interested in Port Grimaud should protect the final hour rather than allowing every earlier stop to run long.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this charter?

Book it if you want a private, flexible half-day on the Bay of St. Tropez and your group will actually use the water-sports gear. The price makes the most sense for four to six people, especially when you compare it with arranging separate activities, boat rides, and transport around the bay.

Before paying, decide where you want to depart, ask about the likely fuel cost for your preferred activities, and tell the operator if lunch or a particular water sport matters to you. Bring your own food and drinks, allow time to reach Marines de Cogolin, and expect the day to work best when you leave room for the captain to adjust the route.

I would choose this over a standard sightseeing cruise for an active family or small group. The combination of personal service, swimming stops, included equipment, and Port Grimaud makes it feel like a day built for your group rather than a fixed ride around the bay.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The charter lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The private charter is for up to six passengers.

Where does the boat depart and return?

The normal departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin.

Can the boat pick up passengers elsewhere?

Yes. Pickup from St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud is available for an additional €50. You need to request the alternative port when booking.

Is water-sports equipment included?

Yes. The charter includes paddleboards, wakeboards, waterskis, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids at no extra charge.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You should bring your own food and drinks. The boat provides ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €100 fuel deposit is collected before the trip. Any unused amount is returned, while additional fuel use can be invoiced afterward.

What places can the charter visit?

The planned route includes Port de Saint Tropez, Plage des Graniers, Plage des Canoubiers in Baie de Canebiers, and Port Grimaud.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.