Leave Cannes and within a quarter of an hour you are swimming between two pine covered islands: one with the fortress that held the Man in the Iron Mask, the other still home to monks who make their own wine. Turn west and the Esterel cliffs drop into the sea in shades of rust and red, with coves far easier to reach by boat than by road. Turn east and Golfe-Juan and Cap d’Antibes are minutes away.
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Quick answer: Cannes and the Lérins Islands by boat
- Best departure harbour: the Vieux Port, beside the Palais des Festivals; Port Pierre Canto if you stay at the eastern end of La Croisette.
- Best half day route: the Lérins loop: Sainte-Marguerite, a swim on the Plateau du Milieu, a slow lap of Saint-Honorat.
- Best full day route: the red Esterel cliffs past Théoule to Cap Roux and Agay, with a Lérins swim on the way home.
- Best months: June and September.
- What to book ahead: a skippered boat for July, August and festival weeks, lunch on Saint-Honorat, and a berth if you arrive by yacht.
This guide is part of our France by Boat series; the hub on French Riviera yacht charter links every area.
Check prices and availability
La Croisette puts you on foot from both main harbours. Rooms sell out early for the Festival de Cannes in May and the Yachting Festival in September.
Harbours and marinas: where boats leave from
Figures below come from the City of Cannes port leaflet. Inside all Cannes harbours and their channels the limit is 3 knots.
- Vieux Port: below the old town of Le Suquet, beside the Palais des Festivals. Run by IGY Marinas, with 592 berths under 18 metres and 97 for larger yachts, up to 140 metres. Most day boats board here. From Nice Côte d’Azur airport allow roughly 35 to 50 minutes by car, more in summer traffic.
- Port Pierre Canto: at the eastern end of La Croisette, run by the city, with 553 berths for yachts up to 90 metres. Many large yachts lie here; it suits guests staying near the Martinez.
- Moure Rouge and Pointe Croisette: small city harbours for boats under 9 metres, useful for self drive hire, not skippered yachts.
- Golfe-Juan (Vallauris): about 6 km east, quieter and more local, where Napoleon landed in 1815 on his return from Elba. Convenient from Juan-les-Pins and Cap d’Antibes, and close to the eastern Lérins.
- Mandelieu-La Napoule: just west of Cannes, with harbours at La Napoule and La Rague, near Cannes-Mandelieu airport for private aircraft. The shortest start for the Esterel.
Five routes in detail
Times assume a fast motor boat in calm seas; sailing yachts and classic wooden boats are slower.
1. Half day: the Lérins loop
Cross to Sainte-Marguerite in around 15 minutes and run along its north shore below Fort Royal, the state prison where the Man in the Iron Mask was held before the Bastille; before that he was held at Pinerolo, then French, now in Piedmont, and at Exilles in the Alps. Swim on the Plateau du Milieu, the shallow sandy stretch between the islands, then circle Saint-Honorat and its fortified monastery tower on the south shore. Three to four hours.
2. Half day: lunch and the abbey on Saint-Honorat
Saint-Honorat, about 1.5 km long and 400 metres wide, belongs to the Cistercian community of the Abbaye de Lérins, which tends around 8 hectares of vines. Land at the small harbour, walk through the vines to the abbey church, lunch at the abbey’s restaurant La Tonnelle (lunch only, open from spring to autumn; our research turned up contradictory information on the 2026 closing date, with the regional tourist board listing 20 October, so confirm with the restaurant), buy a bottle of the monks’ wine and swim on the way back. Four to five hours.
3. Full day: the red cliffs of the Esterel
Cross the Golfe de la Napoule to Théoule-sur-Mer, where the volcanic Esterel rock turns the coast red. Follow small coves and rock arches to Cap Roux, then anchor in the sheltered Rade d’Agay for lunch ashore. Some skippers continue to the Île d’Or, a rocky islet with a stone tower off Le Dramont. The cliffs hold small sea caves; ask the skipper which are safe to enter that day. Stop on the Lérins for a last swim. Seven to eight hours.
4. Full day: Golfe-Juan and Cap d’Antibes
Swim off the south side of Sainte-Marguerite, cross the bay to Juan-les-Pins for lunch, then follow the villa lined shore of Cap d’Antibes. About six hours; our guide to Antibes by boat covers the cape in detail.
5. Longer: two to four days
Head west past the Esterel to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez (see Saint-Tropez by boat), or east to Monaco, Villefranche and Cap Ferrat. Arriving from Liguria? Our route from the Italian Riviera to the French Riviera makes the Lérins a gentle first night at anchor in France.
Rules: anchoring, seagrass, speed limits and fees in 2026
There is no national park here; the rules come from the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée, the City of Cannes and the fisheries authorities. Where research was unclear, we say so.
Posidonia and anchoring
The seabed around the Lérins is covered in Posidonia, a protected seagrass. Since October 2020 the Préfecture maritime has banned vessels of 20 or 24 metres and above (depending on the zone) from anchoring in mapped seagrass areas of the Alpes-Maritimes, under framework order 123/2019. For small boats our research turned up contradictory information: a 2026 boating guide says anchoring on Posidonia is banned for everyone, while the official texts we read target larger vessels. It was not clear to us which applies, so do what good skippers do anyway: anchor on sand only.
Large yachts
Order 157/2024, amended on 3 June 2026 by order 177/2026, applies to yachts of 45 metres and above: from 80 metres anchoring needs authorisation, from 45 to under 80 metres a declaration. Between Cannes and Antibes they may anchor only in three zones: Cannes Ouest, Cannes Est (Le Portet) and Golfe-Juan (Le Piton), where part of the zone is also open to yachts from 24 metres. Speed inside these zones is limited to 10 knots.
Mooring buoys at Sainte-Marguerite
In 2020 Cannes was authorised to lay 30 white ecological buoys in the Anse Sainte-Anne, on the north side of Sainte-Marguerite, for boats of 6 to 20 metres from 1 May to 30 September. That authorisation ran for five years; we could not confirm its 2026 renewal, and one 2026 source gives a much higher number of buoys. Check with the skipper or harbour office.
Saint-Honorat
The city lists the island harbour with only 8 places and a maximum stay of 6 hours in any 24. It is a working monastery: dress modestly ashore, keep voices low near the church and take rubbish back aboard, as the abbey asks for an island without bins. A sailing magazine states that swimming from the island is not allowed and boats may not circle within 300 metres; we could not confirm this on official sites, so ask the skipper.
Speed, jet skis and fishing
Within 300 metres of the shore the limit is 5 knots, and beach swimming zones are buoyed in summer. Jet skis may not use the passage between the islands. Off the Esterel, the Cap Roux reserve has protected 445 hectares since 2003, with all professional and recreational fishing banned; its renewal went to public consultation in 2024.
Fees and closures
There is no entry fee for the Lérins, and anchoring outside regulated zones is free; harbour berths are charged. The Fort Royal museum opens daily from June to September but closes on Mondays from October to May. We found no general closure for 2026, though events in the bay can bring temporary restrictions from the Préfecture maritime.
Types of boat and what a charter includes
- Rigid inflatable or day boat (7 to 10 metres): fast and agile for the Lérins and small coves, with little shade.
- Classic wooden launch: elegant for a sunset crossing; little cabin space.
- Motor yacht (12 to 25 metres): shade, cabins, tender and swim platform; the natural choice for the Esterel.
- Sailing yacht or catamaran: quiet and stable at anchor, but the Esterel day runs long without a breeze.
A private skippered charter usually includes boat, skipper, insurance and basic snorkelling kit. Often excluded: fuel (frequently billed on consumption), lunch ashore, drinks, harbour fees at other ports and a hostess on larger yachts. Get the inclusions in writing before paying a deposit.
For bareboat hire, France requires the permis plaisance for motor boats above 6 horsepower (4.5 kW); the coastal option covers up to 6 nautical miles from a shelter. Boats under that power need no licence. Sailing yachts need no French licence, but charter bases will check your experience.
Routes compared
| Route | Departure | Duration | Highlights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lérins loop | Vieux Port or Port Canto | 3 to 4 hours | Fort Royal, Plateau du Milieu, monastery tower | First timers, festival guests |
| Saint-Honorat lunch | Vieux Port or Port Canto | 4 to 5 hours | Abbey, vines, monks’ wine | Couples, wine lovers |
| Esterel red cliffs | Cannes or Mandelieu-La Napoule | 7 to 8 hours | Théoule, Cap Roux, Agay, sea caves | Swimmers, photographers |
| Cap d’Antibes | Golfe-Juan or Cannes | About 6 hours | Juan-les-Pins lunch, cape villas | Guests based in Antibes |
| Coastal cruise | Port Canto or Vieux Port | 2 to 4 days | Saint-Tropez or Monaco | Families on a motor yacht |
Best months, winds and practical tips
June and September bring warm water and fewer boats. In July and August the Plateau du Milieu can be crowded by late morning. May is lovely but the sea is cool, and the Festival de Cannes fills the Vieux Port and hotels for almost two weeks. The Cannes Yachting Festival (8 to 13 September 2026) takes over the Vieux Port and Port Canto and pushes up charter demand.
The Lérins are sheltered from west and north, but east and south east winds raise a chop between the islands, and a strong Mistral can make the Esterel run uncomfortable. Mornings are usually calmest.
- What to bring: reef safe sun cream, a hat, a light layer, cash for small restaurants and a cover up for Saint-Honorat.
- Seasickness: the Lérins loop is short and sheltered; for the Esterel, take a remedy beforehand and choose a larger boat.
- Booking: three months or more ahead for July, August and festival weeks; a few weeks for June and September.
- August crowds: leave by 9.00 and swim first.
Charlotte’s tip: reverse the usual Lérins day
Most boats reach the Plateau du Milieu mid morning and stay all afternoon. Do the opposite: spend the morning on the Esterel or Cap d’Antibes, lunch ashore, and arrive at the islands around 17.00, when the day boats head home and the light turns gold on Saint-Honorat. Agree this plan with the skipper when booking.
Where to stay near the harbours
Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Opposite the Palais des Festivals at the western end of La Croisette, the Majestic is the closest grand hotel to the Vieux Port, a short walk away, which makes early Lérins departures easy. Expect a pool, a spa and a private beach across the road; ask the hotel about current restaurants.
Best for: the shortest walk to the boat, festival weeks.
Check rates at Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
The white Belle Époque landmark in the middle of La Croisette reopened under the Regent brand after a long restoration. It sits between the two harbours, roughly 15 minutes on foot from either, with its own beach opposite. Ask the hotel about pool and dining details.
Best for: a classic Riviera stay between both harbours.
Hôtel Martinez
The Art Deco Martinez stands at the eastern end of La Croisette, a short walk from Port Pierre Canto, where many larger yachts berth. It has a beach club opposite; restaurant details change, so ask the hotel.
Best for: yacht guests boarding at Port Canto.
Hôtel Belles Rives
On the water in Juan-les-Pins, Belles Rives occupies the former Villa Saint-Louis, where F. Scott Fitzgerald began Tender Is the Night. It has a private beach, a water sports club it describes as the birthplace of waterskiing, and the Michelin starred La Passagère. Golfe-Juan’s harbours are about ten minutes by car. It is seasonal: the regional tourist board lists it open from 8 March to 31 December 2026; confirm winter dates with the hotel.
Best for: a quieter base and Golfe-Juan departures.
Check rates at Hôtel Belles Rives
Check prices and availability
Compare hotels on La Croisette and around the Vieux Port, from grand seafront addresses to smaller boutique stays.
Extending the summer into Italy? Our hub on yacht charter in Italy covers the whole coast, and Portofino and the Cinque Terre by boat offers its own abbey by the sea at San Fruttuoso.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the crossing to the Lérins Islands?
Around 15 minutes to Sainte-Marguerite by fast boat from Cannes, a little longer to Saint-Honorat.
Can you land a private boat on Saint-Honorat?
The harbour has only 8 places and a 6 hour limit in any 24, so it fills quickly in summer. Ask the skipper about a tender landing and dress modestly ashore.
Do you need a licence to hire a boat in Cannes?
Yes for motor boats above 6 horsepower (the permis plaisance); no for smaller boats or a skippered charter.
When is the quietest time on the water?
Weekdays in June and September, away from festival weeks. In summer, leave early or reach the islands late afternoon.
