Day-boats
Couples and small groups wanting a simple, fast day on the water
Day-boat hire in Cannes
A day-boat is the simplest way onto the water: an open or semi-open motorboat for a single day, fast enough to reach the best spots and small enough to keep the day easy. For a swim off the Îles de Lérins, a lunch ashore and a few hours in the sun, nothing is more direct.
Who hires a day-boat
Couples, small families and friends who want a day rather than a week choose a day-boat. There is no overnight, no large crew, no complexity — just a skipper, a fast hull and the coast in front of you. It is the easiest first step into chartering on the Côte d'Azur.
What to expect on board
A day-boat is typically hired with a skipper who knows the coast — where to anchor for the calmest water, which cove is quiet that day, how to time the run to Lérins and back. Sun pads, a swim ladder and a cooler are standard; the experience is relaxed and unfussy.
Itineraries from Cannes
The classic day runs from Cannes to the Lérins islands for swimming, with the option to push to Cap d'Antibes or Golfe-Juan if the sea is kind. A day-boat keeps the radius tight and the day unhurried — back in the Bay of Cannes by evening.
How it is priced
Day-boat hire is offered by quote for the day, set by the boat and the season. Tell our brokers the date and the size of your group and they will match the right boat — the quickest, lightest way to spend a day on the water.
Good to know
A day-boat is priced for the day rather than the week, which makes it the most accessible way to charter on the Côte d'Azur and a natural first step before a longer crewed charter. The skipper and basic running costs are usually included in the day rate; fuel may be quoted separately depending on the boat. Demand is highest at weekends and across the summer, so popular dates are worth booking ahead. Tell our brokers the date, your group size and whether you want to reach Lérins or simply stay close to the bay, and they will match the boat to the plan. Many guests start with a day-boat to learn the coast and the rhythm of a day afloat, then come back for a crewed charter once they know exactly the kind of day they want to repeat.
What sets this type apart
- Open or semi-open motorboat for a single day
- Fast enough to reach the best spots, small enough to stay easy
- Hired with a skipper who knows the coast
- Sun pads, swim ladder and cooler as standard
- The easiest first step into chartering
- Tight radius, unhurried day to Lérins and back
- By-quote day pricing
What is a day-boat and who is it for?
A day-boat is a fast, open or semi-open motorboat built for a single day on the water rather than overnight stays. With a sun pad, a swim ladder, shade and an easy layout, it is the most direct and accessible way to charter from Cannes — you step aboard, the skipper casts off, and within minutes you are anchored off the Îles de Lérins for a swim. It suits couples, small families and groups of friends who want a relaxed day rather than a full crewed week: a morning swim, lunch at anchor, an afternoon exploring the coast. Because it is nimble and quick, a day-boat reaches a lot of coast in a day, from the sheltered coves of the Cap d'Antibes to a lunch run toward Saint-Tropez when the sea is kind. For many visitors it is the perfect first taste of the Riviera by sea, and often the step before a larger charter later on.
Can I rent a day-boat in Cannes without a licence?
Yes, if you take a skipper — and for visitors that is almost always the better choice. A professional skipper holds the qualifications, knows the coast and runs the boat, so you and your guests simply enjoy the day without worrying about navigation, anchoring or the local rules. A licence is only needed for a bareboat rental where you helm the day-boat yourself; in that case you must hold a boating licence recognised in France, and for many smaller day-boats the French coastal licence is sufficient. Even when a licence allows it, a skipper who knows where the calm water is, which cove is quiet that day and how to time the run to Lérins and back usually makes for a safer and far more relaxed day. Tell us your experience and your group, and we will recommend honestly whether to take a skipper for your day-boat hire.
How much does it cost to hire a day-boat in Cannes?
Day-boat hire is priced by the day and given by quote, because the rate depends on the boat, its size and power, and the season. Summer weekends and the peak July and August weeks are the busiest and the most in demand, so popular dates are worth booking ahead, while a shoulder-season day in spring or early autumn is both easier to secure and often calmer on the water. Unlike a fully crewed charter with its Advance Provisioning Allowance, day-boat hire is straightforward: typically a clear day rate, with fuel sometimes charged on top depending on how far you cruise, and a skipper's day where one is included. Food and drinks can be brought aboard or arranged. We set everything out in the quote before you book so there are no surprises. Tell us the date, your group size and whether you want to reach the Îles de Lérins or stay close to the Bay of Cannes, and we will match the right day-boat.
What should I bring on a day-boat charter from Cannes?
Keep it simple. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and soft-soled or bare feet for the deck — hard heels mark the boat and are unsteady underway. A light layer is worth having for the run home, when the breeze picks up, and a dry bag for phones and cameras is useful around the water. Sun pads, a swim ladder and shade are standard on a day-boat, and most carry a cooler or fridge, so you can bring food and drinks aboard or ask us to arrange them. If you are bringing young children, let us know in advance so the skipper can plan calmer anchorages and check that suitable lifejackets are aboard. There is no need for sailing experience or special equipment — with a skipper, you simply step on and enjoy the day. Tell us your plans and we will confirm exactly what is provided on your chosen day-boat so you pack only what you need.