Catamaran to the
Lérins Islands

The Lérins Islands by Catamaran

Cannes' Secret Paradise
20 Minutes Away

The Lérins Islands sit just 2–3 kilometres from Port Canto in Cannes, separated from the Croisette by 20 minutes of sailing across the Bay. Legally protected from development and accessible only by boat, they offer something increasingly rare on the Côte d'Azur: genuine quiet, extraordinary clear water, and a coastline that has barely changed in centuries.

The marine reserve surrounding the islands produces some of the most vivid turquoise water found anywhere on the Mediterranean. Over posidonia meadows in the shallows of Île Sainte-Marguerite, the water shifts from deep blue to luminous aquamarine — the kind of colour that makes most guests stop talking and simply look.

By public ferry, the experience is limited: you land at the main jetty, walk marked paths, and return on a fixed schedule. By private catamaran, you anchor in coves the ferry cannot reach, access beaches by tender, swim directly from the boat, and stay in each location exactly as long as you wish. These are two entirely different experiences that happen to involve the same islands.

The Lagoon MY 40's shallow draft allows anchoring within metres of the shoreline of Sainte-Marguerite's northwest coast — where the posidonia meadows create water so clear you can watch your anchor settle on the sand below. The 5-metre tender then gives your group beach access at any point. You can be swimming off a deserted beach within 25 minutes of leaving Port Canto.

Île Sainte-Marguerite — The Larger Island

At approximately 3km long and 1km wide, Île Sainte-Marguerite is the main destination for most Lérins visits. The island is covered in Aleppo pine forest, encircled by the marine reserve, and home to the Fort Royal — a 17th-century fortress made famous by the imprisonment of the Man in the Iron Mask. The walking paths through the forest are beautiful; the coves on the protected northwestern shore are where the catamaran excels, accessing water that the ferry passengers simply do not see.

Île Saint-Honorat — The Monastery Island

Smaller and quieter than Sainte-Marguerite, Île Saint-Honorat is home to an active Cistercian monastery founded in the 5th century — one of the oldest continuously inhabited religious sites in France. The monks produce wines and liqueurs from the island's vineyards and welcome visitors to the monastery. Anchoring off Saint-Honorat in the afternoon, after a morning at Sainte-Marguerite, is the natural rhythm for a Lérins day. See our suggested day itinerary for both islands →

What Our Skipper Brings to the Lérins

After 15 years sailing from Port Canto to the Lérins Islands, our captain knows every anchorage position in every wind condition. He knows which coves hold their calm when the afternoon breeze builds. He knows where the posidonia is thickest for snorkelling, where the underwater visibility is best in each season, and how to time the day so your group gets the most from both islands without rushing. This is local knowledge that genuinely makes a difference — not a GPS track, but 15 years of accumulated judgement about how to spend a day at the Lérins.

Practical Planning

When to Go and
What to Expect

The Lérins Islands are accessible year-round, but the experience varies significantly by season. Understanding these differences helps plan the most rewarding visit.

June and September are the months our skipper consistently recommends. Water temperature reaches 22–24°C in June and holds at 23–25°C in September. The anchorages are quieter than high summer, the light is exceptional in both months, and the wind conditions are typically more stable. Early September in particular is remarkable — full Mediterranean warmth, fewer crowds, and the islands at their most serene.

July and August offer the warmest water (26–28°C) and the most reliable sunshine, but the popular anchorages around Sainte-Marguerite attract more vessels in high summer. Our skipper knows the alternative positions that remain quiet even in August — these are not available to ferry passengers, only to boats that anchor away from the main areas. The private catamaran experience remains excellent in summer; it simply requires better local knowledge of where to go.

May and October offer a compelling combination: mild temperatures, low crowds, and the special quality of light that the shoulder season produces on the Mediterranean. Water temperature in May is 18–20°C — cool but swimmable for most guests. October is warmer at 20–22°C, and the islands in autumn have a completely different atmosphere from the summer months.

Practical note: Departure time matters more than most guests expect. An early departure (9:00–9:30 from Port Canto) gives you the best morning light, the quietest anchorages, and the longest possible time at the islands. Midday departures work well for half-day combinations and sunset returns.

What to Bring

Preparing for
Your Lérins Day

The catamaran carries all the equipment your group needs for a day at the Lérins Islands — you don't need to bring snorkelling gear, paddleboards, or any watersports equipment. What makes a difference is personal preparation.

Sun protection: The Mediterranean sun at anchor is more intense than it appears. High-factor sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are essential — particularly for the solarium hours between 12:00 and 15:00. The catamaran carries a parasol for the stern deck and provides shade in the saloon, but guests who don't prepare for sun exposure on the solarium invariably regret it.

Swimwear and layers: Multiple swimwear sets are useful for a full day where you'll be in and out of the water several times. A light cover-up or thin layer is useful for the crossing and for any time spent ashore on the islands, where the walking paths pass through forest shade.

Food and drink preferences: If you want a catered lunch at anchor, discuss this when booking — at least 48 hours in advance to allow the catering partner to prepare. If you prefer a restaurant ashore, our skipper coordinates reservations as part of your booking. If you're bringing your own food, the catamaran has a fully equipped galley. A small cool box for personal provisions is welcome on board.

For a complete picture of the day from departure to return — including timing, swimming stops, lunch options, and the return to Cannes — the full Lérins Islands day itinerary covers every stage in detail. To view charter prices and book your date, see the Cannes catamaran price page.