Lérins Islands
Boat Trip from Cannes

The Essential Guide

Lérins Islands Boat Trip:
Everything You Need to Know

Where Are the Lérins Islands?

The Lérins Islands are an archipelago of four islands located in the Bay of Cannes, approximately 2–3 kilometres from the coast. The two main islands are Île Sainte-Marguerite (the largest, about 3km long and 1km wide) and Île Saint-Honorat (smaller and more intimate, home to a working Cistercian monastery). The two smaller islets — Île Saint-Ferréol and Île de la Tradelière — are uninhabited.

How Far is it from Cannes?

By sea, the Lérins Islands are approximately 2–3 kilometres from Port Canto in Cannes. By private catamaran, the crossing takes approximately 20 minutes at comfortable speed. By public ferry from the old port (Vieux Port), the official crossing time is about 15 minutes to Île Sainte-Marguerite.

Private Catamaran vs Ferry — What's the Difference?

The public ferry lands at the main jetty on Île Sainte-Marguerite and operates on a fixed schedule. Passengers are limited to marked paths and the public areas of the island. By private catamaran, you can anchor in any of the island's coves, swim directly from the boat, access beaches by tender that ferry passengers never reach, and stay as long as you wish — returning on your own schedule.

The northern and western shores of Île Sainte-Marguerite, where the marine reserve creates extraordinary turquoise water over posidonia meadows, are accessible only from the sea. This is the definitive Lérins experience — and it's only available by private catamaran.

Best Anchorages Around the Lérins Islands

Our skipper — who has been sailing these waters for 15 years — knows the best anchoring spots for every wind condition and every time of day. The northwest coves of Sainte-Marguerite offer shelter and extraordinary water clarity. The channel between the two main islands is perfect for calm days with a central position. The eastern tip of Saint-Honorat provides access to the monastery jetty and the island's vineyards.

Planning the Perfect Lérins Boat Trip

Tips from 15 Years
on These Waters

After 15 years taking groups from Port Canto to the Lérins Islands, our skipper has formed clear views on what makes the difference between a good boat trip and a great one. The following reflects what he consistently recommends to guests planning their visit.

Depart early. A 9:00–9:30 departure from Port Canto means you arrive at the first anchorage before the main body of ferry passengers. The coves are quieter, the water is calmer (thermal winds typically build from late morning), and the morning light on the marine reserve is extraordinary. Groups that depart at 11:00 often find the best anchorages already occupied by other vessels.

Prioritise the northwest shore of Sainte-Marguerite. The marine reserve water here is the most vivid on the island — the posidonia meadows create that distinctive blue-green colour that makes the photographs look unreal. Most ferry passengers don't reach these coves; by private catamaran and tender, they are easily accessible.

Allow time for Saint-Honorat. Many first-time visitors to the Lérins focus entirely on Sainte-Marguerite and leave Saint-Honorat for another time. The monastery island is smaller and quieter — the contrast with the relative bustle of Sainte-Marguerite is striking. An hour ashore at Saint-Honorat, visiting the monastery and walking the vineyard path, adds a dimension to the day that most guests find unexpectedly memorable.

Have a lunch plan before departure. Deciding at 12:00 where to eat, with a hungry group on board, creates unnecessary tension. The two options — lunch at anchor with catering prepared in advance, or a table at a sea-access restaurant arranged by your skipper — both require a decision before boarding. Discuss with us when booking and we will have it arranged.

Use the tender early and often. The Cherokee tender is one of the most useful features of the private catamaran for a Lérins day trip. Groups that use it actively — exploring coastlines, reaching beaches, approaching the monastery jetty — get significantly more from the islands than those who stay on the catamaran throughout. Your skipper is happy to run tender trips for the group while others remain on the solarium.

The Marine Reserve

Snorkelling the
Lérins Marine Reserve

The marine reserve surrounding the Lérins Islands is one of the finest snorkelling environments accessible from Cannes. Protected since the 1960s from fishing and anchoring on the seabed, the posidonia meadows here are dense and healthy — producing the remarkable water clarity and colour that makes the Lérins a standout destination on the French Riviera.

For snorkellers of any experience level, the northwest shore of Sainte-Marguerite offers excellent visibility and a good range of marine life: sea bream, wrasse, mullet, octopus in the rocky sections, and the occasional ray over the sandy channels. The posidonia itself is worth seeing — a native Mediterranean seagrass that acts as the foundation of the entire ecosystem. Healthy posidonia meadows like those around the Lérins are increasingly rare on the overcrowded French Riviera coastline.

The catamaran carries snorkelling masks, fins, and buoyancy vests for all guests. No certification or experience is required. For guests who have not snorkelled before, the calm, clear, shallow anchorages off Sainte-Marguerite are an ideal introduction — excellent visibility, gentle depth, and nothing in the water that presents any risk. Children and first-time snorkellers consistently enjoy it.

For a complete picture of the day — including exact timing for each stop, lunch options, and the afternoon programme at Saint-Honorat — the Lérins Islands day itinerary guide provides a detailed hour-by-hour breakdown from Port Canto departure to return.