Cannes: Half-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this Cannes catamaran cruise is the combination of open-water swimming and a proper lunch on board. You sail from the Old Port toward the Lérins Islands, then stop offshore for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding before eating a cold buffet with a glass of rosé.

I like the large, comfortable catamaran, which gives you room to sit, stretch out, and watch the Côte d’Azur slide past. I also like the tidy four-hour plan: enough time for a boat outing without giving up an entire day in Cannes. The main catch is that the snorkeling stop may be in deep water, and the sea conditions can limit the kayaks or paddleboards.

Quick points to know

• A spacious catamaran: The boat has plenty of seating, with indoor and outdoor areas for cruising, eating, and relaxing.
• Swimming off the boat: You can use the provided masks and snorkels, with kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available when weather permits.
• A full cold buffet: Lunch may include pasta, chicken, pizza, fruit, and tart, though vegetarian and vegan choices can be limited.
• A one-way boat itinerary: You leave the catamaran at St. Marguerite Island and return to Cannes by ferry, included in the price.
• Cash matters: Extra drinks are available for purchase, but there is no card machine on board.
• Arrive early: Collect your ticket at the Trans Cote d’Azur office 30 minutes before departure, then walk to the boat at the end of the Laubeuf car park.

Setting out from Cannes Old Port at 10:15

Your morning begins at the Trans Cote d’Azur office at 20 Quai Saint Pierre. Get there 30 minutes before departure to collect your tickets and receive directions to the actual boarding point at Quai Laubeuf or Quai des Îles, at the far end of the Laubeuf car park.

That distinction matters. The ticket office and catamaran do not use the exact same spot, and one past passenger found the meeting instructions confusing. Give yourself time to walk between them, especially if you are carrying beach gear or traveling with children.

The catamaran departs at 10:15 AM, after a short introduction to the boat from the crew. French and English are spoken. The cruise sails across the Bay of Cannes toward the Lérins Islands, a group of islands just offshore that give this outing its sense of escape from the city.

I would arrive early even if you are not fussy about seating. Several people found that the best places were taken soon after boarding. A little extra time also lets you settle in before the boat leaves the port and decide where you want to spend the cruise: forward in the sun, toward the stern, or in a more sheltered area.

The catamaran is one of the strongest parts of the experience. It is described as much larger than expected, with plenty of seating and enough room for the trip to feel comfortable rather than cramped. On quieter departures, the boat can feel surprisingly uncrowded, though the minimum operating requirement is 15 passengers and busy summer dates may feel different.

Some departures include light morning refreshments such as water, orange juice, and pastries. These are not listed as a formal inclusion, so do not book the trip expecting a full breakfast. The reliable meal is lunch later in the cruise.

Cruising toward the Lérins Islands

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You get wide views back toward Cannes and the Riviera while the crew takes you away from the port. This is not a narrated sightseeing cruise packed with historical commentary. One passenger wished the captain had shared more information about the area, so bring your own interest in the scenery rather than expecting a guided coastal lecture.

That quieter approach suits the outing. You can sit with a drink, watch other boats move across the bay, and enjoy the change of pace. The crew is generally described as friendly, helpful, and polite, which makes a difference on a trip where you are sharing a boat, buffet, and swimming area with other people.

The experience feels more like a relaxed day on the water than a high-energy party cruise. Music is not a central feature, and one person wished the atmosphere had been livelier. If you want loud entertainment and constant activity, this may seem too calm. If you want a polished boat ride with time to rest, it is a good fit.

The boat’s size also helps families. Children can move between seating areas, the lunch space, and the swim equipment more easily than they could on a small open motorboat. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm any specific boarding needs before booking.

Swimming and snorkeling between the islands

The catamaran stops in the water near the Lérins Islands, where you can swim and snorkel directly from the boat. Masks and snorkels are provided, so you do not need to pack your own equipment. You may also find pool noodles available for floating.

This is the moment to bring a realistic idea of snorkeling. The stop may be in open, fairly deep water rather than beside a shallow beach. One passenger wanted the boat closer to shore so the bottom would be easier to see, while another found snorkeling less interesting because there was not much to look at.

The water conditions can change the experience. On a warm, calm day, swimming off the back of a catamaran is a fine way to cool down, especially in the summer heat. On a chilly or windy day, only a few people may want to get in. The sea can also be too rough for some of the optional equipment.

You do not have to swim. The crew provides a chance to relax on board, watch the activity, and enjoy the view. This makes the cruise workable for mixed groups, where one person wants to paddle and another prefers a dry seat.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included. You should also pack swimwear, sunscreen, and a change of clothes if you dislike sitting around in a wet swimsuit. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, so pack only the personal items you need for the boat.

Kayaks and paddleboards, weather permitting

The included water equipment is a welcome extra. You can use a kayak or stand-up paddleboard when conditions allow, without arranging a separate rental. That adds more choice to the swimming stop and gives you something to do if snorkeling is not especially rewarding.

Do not treat the equipment as guaranteed. The crew may keep the kayaks and boards stored if the current, wind, or general sea conditions make them unsafe. One departure allowed snorkeling but not kayaking or paddleboarding because of the current.

This is also why the activity works best for people who enjoy flexible plans. You may spend the stop swimming, floating, paddling, or simply sitting on deck. The exact mix depends on the weather and how many people want to use the gear.

If you have young children, stay close and follow the crew’s instructions. The boat stops offshore, and the water may be deep. The activity can be family-friendly, but it is not a shallow-water beach day.

Cold buffet lunch around 1 PM

Around 1 PM, the crew serves a cold buffet on board. The meal is included, as is one glass of rosé wine. Water and other drinks may be available, but extra purchases cost additional money and must be paid for in cash.

The food receives some of the warmest praise. A typical spread may include pasta, chicken, pizza, fruit, and a pear or apple tart. The portions are generous enough that you should not need to plan another lunch immediately after getting back to Cannes.

The cold format is worth understanding. You are not receiving a hot restaurant meal prepared to order. Some people find the food tasty and plentiful, while others would prefer sandwiches or a more carefully designed cold lunch. The chicken, in particular, may not appeal to everyone when served cold.

Vegetarians should inspect the buffet before filling a plate. There may be some suitable sides, but the selection can be limited. Vegans should be especially cautious, since one family found no vegan choices. If you have a serious dietary restriction, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the buffet can accommodate you.

Lunch is served while you are still on the water, which is one of the trip’s pleasures. You are not losing sightseeing time to a restaurant stop, and the boat provides a pleasant setting for a leisurely meal. The tradeoff is that a buffet on a moving vessel can be less polished than lunch on land.

The included rosé adds to the Riviera feel, but you are not required to drink alcohol. Bring cash for any additional drinks, since the boat does not accept credit cards. Outside alcohol and food are prohibited.

Returning from St. Marguerite Island

At about 2:15 PM, the catamaran reaches St. Marguerite Island. You leave the catamaran there and board a public ferry back to Cannes Old Port. Your cruise ticket covers this return ferry, so you do not need to buy another ticket.

This one-way arrangement is easy to miss when you book. It is not a round trip on the same catamaran. If you expect to remain on the boat until it returns to Cannes, the change may surprise you.

The ferry is still useful. It gives you another view of the bay and brings you back to the Old Port without extending the excursion into a full-day island visit. Depending on the wider schedule and your ticket, St. Marguerite can also offer the option of staying longer and taking a later ferry, though the half-day plan itself is built around returning after the catamaran portion.

The island stop is brief for this itinerary. One person wished there had been a second swimming stop, and that is a fair criticism if water time is your main reason for booking. You get one major activity stop rather than a series of coves and beaches.

Still, the ferry transfer adds a little variety. You cruise out on a large catamaran, spend time in the sea, eat lunch offshore, and return by a different boat. For a four-hour outing, that is a sensible use of time.

What the $135 price really includes

At $135 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water around Cannes. The value depends on how many included pieces you will use.

Your price covers:

• The catamaran cruise
• The cold buffet lunch
• One glass of rosé wine
• A mask and snorkel
• Kayak use when weather permits
• Stand-up paddleboard use when weather permits
• The return ferry from St. Marguerite Island

A separate boat trip, lunch, and water equipment rental could add up quickly. The large catamaran also gives you more room than a small boat tour, which matters if you prefer a stable, social setting with places to sit out of the sun.

The value is weaker if you do not plan to swim, do not drink rosé, or expect a gourmet meal. It is also less appealing if you want detailed commentary about Cannes and the islands. You are paying for a comfortable half-day on the water, not a history tour or a private yacht charter.

The average rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 214 reviews, with especially strong praise for the boat, crew, food quantity, and relaxed atmosphere. That matches the practical picture: this is a well-liked leisure outing with a few predictable limitations around cash, deep-water swimming, food choices, and the return transfer.

Who should book this Cannes cruise

I would choose this outing for couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a simple Riviera boat day without planning several separate activities. The included gear makes it easy, and the lunch means you do not need to return to Cannes hungry.

It also suits mixed groups. Swimmers can get in the water, paddlers can use the optional equipment, and non-swimmers can remain on the catamaran. The boat is spacious enough that you are not forced into one activity.

You may want a different excursion if your priorities are shallow snorkeling, marine life, a secluded beach, or a strongly narrated tour. The swim stop can be deep, visibility may be modest, and the captain may provide little area information.

Arrive early, bring a towel and sunscreen, and keep cash handy. Treat the water sports as weather-dependent extras, not promises. Most important, understand that the catamaran portion ends at St. Marguerite Island and the ferry brings you back to Cannes.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a comfortable four-hour escape from Cannes with swimming, paddle equipment, lunch, and a glass of rosé built into the price. The spacious boat and friendly crew are its biggest strengths.

Skip it if you need a hot meal, extensive vegetarian or vegan food, shallow snorkeling, or a fully narrated tour. For the right kind of day, though, it offers a pleasant balance of scenery, sea time, and easy logistics without committing your whole day to the coast.

FAQ

Where does the Cannes catamaran cruise depart?

You collect your tickets at the Trans Cote d’Azur office at 20 Quai Saint Pierre. The catamaran departs from Quai Laubeuf or Quai des Îles, at the end of the Laubeuf car park.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at the ticket office 30 minutes before departure. This gives you time to collect your tickets and walk to the catamaran boarding point.

What time does the cruise start?

The catamaran boards for a 10:15 AM departure. Check availability when booking because starting times can vary.

How long is the activity?

The experience lasts about four hours. The catamaran portion ends at St. Marguerite Island, followed by the return ferry to Cannes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A cold buffet lunch is served on board at about 1 PM. A glass of rosé wine is also included.

What kind of food is served?

The buffet may include pasta, chicken, pizza, fruit, and pear or apple tart. Vegetarian choices can be limited, and vegan options may not be available.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included for use during the swimming stop.

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are included when weather and sea conditions permit. Their use is not guaranteed in rough or unsuitable conditions.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Can I pay by card on the boat?

No. The boat does not accept credit cards, so bring cash for extra drinks or other purchases. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.