Cannes Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in Cannes

Cannes is the French Riviera’s most polished yacht-charter destination – a city built around its relationship with the sea. The Boulevard de la Croisette curves elegantly along the bay, lined with Belle Époque palaces (the Carlton, the Majestic, the Martinez), luxury boutiques and pavement cafés that face a wide sandy beach and, beyond it, the Mediterranean. At one end stands the Palais des Festivals, where the Cannes Film Festival has drawn the world’s film industry every May since 1946. At the other, the old quarter of Le Suquet climbs a hillside crowned by a 12th-century church tower and a panoramic terrace overlooking the harbour. And just offshore, the two pine-covered Îles de Lérins – with a fort that once imprisoned the Man in the Iron Mask and a monastery where monks have made wine since the fifth century – offer a calm, green counterpoint to the city’s urban glamour.

Cannes is a natural charter hub. The city has four marinas – the Vieux Port (historic, central, and the heart of the Film Festival berth action), Port Canto (quieter, with excellent superyacht facilities), Port Pierre Canto, and Port Palm Beach – and sits at the centre of the Riviera’s cruising ground. St Tropez is 24 nautical miles to the west. Nice is 16 nautical miles east. The Îles de Lérins are 15 minutes offshore. Antibes and its Port Vauban (Europe’s largest marina) are 7 nautical miles away. The red Estérel cliffs begin just to the west. For guests who want a base from which to explore in every direction, Cannes is hard to beat.

Whether you’re here for the Film Festival, the Yachting Festival, a family holiday or a corporate retreat, Cannes offers the infrastructure, the setting and the connections to make every charter seamless. Enquire with Boatcrowd for availability and pricing on our Cannes fleet.

Why Charter a Yacht in Cannes

Central Position on the Riviera

Cannes sits almost exactly at the midpoint of the Côte d’Azur’s charter coastline, making it the ideal departure point for both western and eastern itineraries. Cruise west past the Estérel to St Tropez (24 NM) or east through Antibes and Nice to Monaco (25 NM) – both are comfortable half-day passages on a motor yacht. The Îles de Lérins are just 15 minutes offshore. That centrality means maximum flexibility: if the wind picks up from the west, you head east; if the crowds build in Monaco, you retreat to a quiet Estérel calanque.

Film Festival and Event Capital

The Cannes Film Festival (typically mid-May, running 12 days) is the most famous film festival in the world, and it is the only one where private charter yachts serve as luxury accommodation, floating offices and entertainment centres. Superyachts line the Jetée Albert Edouard in the Vieux Port, steps from the Palais des Festivals and the red carpet. During the festival, the Croisette transforms into a global stage – parties, premieres, brand activations and networking events take place on yacht decks around the harbour. The Cannes Yachting Festival in September is equally significant: the world’s largest in-water boat show fills the Vieux Port and Port Canto with new launches, brokerage yachts and industry events. Both events pair perfectly with a charter.

Îles de Lérins: History and Nature Offshore

The two islands just off Cannes are among the Riviera’s most rewarding day stops. Île Sainte-Marguerite (the larger island) is covered in eucalyptus and pine forest and home to the Fort Royal, built by Cardinal Richelieu and remodelled by Vauban, where the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned from 1687 to 1698 – you can visit his cell and the archaeological museum. Île Saint-Honorat is home to the Lérins Abbey, where monks have lived continuously since AD 410 – they produce red and white wine, honey, lavender oil and Lérina, a herbal liqueur. Anchor between the islands for a swim in calm, clear water, then tender to each for history and wine tasting.

Gastronomy and Provençal Markets

Cannes eats exceptionally well. The Marché Forville (open every morning except Monday) is the city’s principal food market, where fishmongers, cheese merchants, olive-oil producers and seasonal fruit sellers supply the best restaurant kitchens and private chefs on the coast. Le Suquet’s narrow streets hide bistros and wine bars with views over the harbour. La Palme d’Or at the Hôtel Martinez holds two Michelin stars. For a more casual experience, the Rue Ménadier in the old town is a pedestrian street lined with bakeries, charcuteries and wine shops that feel a world away from the Croisette’s glitz.

Chartering During the Cannes Film Festival

Your Yacht as VIP Base

During the Film Festival (typically mid-May), a superyacht in the Vieux Port serves as a private, luxurious base camp. Hold meetings aboard, host cocktail parties on the aft deck overlooking the red carpet, entertain clients and talent in a setting that no hotel suite can match. Your crew manages catering, security, tender logistics and guest arrivals, leaving you free to focus on the festival.

Berth Options and Booking

The most coveted berths are along the Jetée Albert Edouard in the Vieux Port, directly facing the Palais des Festivals. Yachts berthed here require a signed charter contract and, in many cases, a demonstrated connection to the film industry. Port Canto offers an excellent alternative without the same accreditation requirements – it is quieter, well-appointed and just a short drive from the Croisette. Demand is intense: Boatcrowd recommends booking your yacht and berth application 9–12 months in advance, with larger yachts requiring even longer lead times.

What to Expect

Film Festival week in Cannes is unlike anything else on the Riviera. The Croisette fills with photographers, premieres and parties. Helicopters shuttle between Nice airport and the harbour. Yacht decks become impromptu screening rooms and after-party venues. The energy is electric and exhausting in equal measure. A crewed yacht gives you the rare gift of a private retreat at the heart of the action – step off the gangway into the festival, step back aboard into calm, comfort and a glass of chilled rosé.

Key Destinations Near Cannes

• Îles de Lérins – Just 15 minutes offshore. Île Sainte-Marguerite (Fort Royal, the Man in the Iron Mask’s cell, eucalyptus forest) and Île Saint-Honorat (working monastery since AD 410, wines, liqueur, medieval fortified tower). Anchor between the islands for a swim in crystal water.

• Antibes and Cap d’Antibes – 7 NM east. Port Vauban (Europe’s largest marina, 1,600+ berths), the Musée Picasso in Château Grimaldi, the Provençal market in the old town, and the sheltered anchorages off Cap d’Antibes’ southern tip.

• Estérel Massif – 10–15 NM west. Dramatic red porphyry cliffs meeting deep blue water, with hidden calanques accessible only by boat. The colour contrast between crimson rock, green pine and blue sea is unique on the Riviera.

• Mougins – A hilltop village 15 minutes inland, famous as a gastronomic capital. Picasso spent the last 12 years of his life here. Le Mas Candille and L’Amandier offer Michelin-quality dining with panoramic views. Reachable by taxi from any Cannes marina.

• Juan-les-Pins – 4 NM east of Cannes, between the port and Cap d’Antibes. A lively resort town famous for the Jazz à Juan festival (every July since 1960) and sandy beaches with a young, vibrant atmosphere.

Best Time to Charter in Cannes

Peak Season: July and August

Warm (28–32°C / 82–90°F), sunny and buzzing. The Croisette is in full flow, the beaches are packed, and the harbour is at its liveliest. Charter rates are at their highest. Book early.

Shoulder Season: May–June and September

May brings the Cannes Film Festival (mid-May) and warm, settled weather (22–27°C / 72–81°F). June is warm and uncrowded. September hosts the Cannes Yachting Festival and offers golden light, warm seas (23–25°C) and softer rates. Many experienced charter guests consider September the best month on the Riviera.

Early and Late Season: April and October–November

Mild days, empty anchorages and cultural highlights. The Îles de Lérins are at their quietest and most beautiful. Cannes’ markets, restaurants and galleries are open year-round. Rates are at their most favourable.

Signature Experiences

• Fort Royal and the Man in the Iron Mask – Tender to Île Sainte-Marguerite and explore the 17th-century fort where France’s most mysterious prisoner was held for 11 years. The cell, the ramparts and the archaeological museum are open to visitors. Walk through the eucalyptus forest to quiet coves for a swim.
• Monastery Wine Tasting on Saint-Honorat – The monks of Lérins Abbey have produced wine since the fifth century. Visit the abbey shop to taste their reds, whites and the distinctive Lérina herbal liqueur. The 11th-century fortified tower on the island’s southern tip is one of the best-preserved medieval coastal defences in Provence.
• Croisette Stroll and Beach Day – Walk the length of the Boulevard de la Croisette from the Palais des Festivals to Palm Beach. The private beach clubs (including Z Plage, Belles Rives and Plage Mace) offer sunbeds, service and Provençal cuisine with the sea at your feet.
• Estérel Calanque Swim – Cruise west to the red volcanic cliffs of the Estérel and anchor in a hidden calanque. Snorkel along the crimson rock formations, swim in water framed by colours found nowhere else on the coast, and lunch on the aft deck with the cliffs as your backdrop.
• Marché Forville Breakfast – Your chef visits Cannes’ principal food market early each morning for the freshest fish, cheeses, olive oils and seasonal produce. Breakfast is served on the aft deck while provisions come aboard, and your lunch will feature ingredients sourced steps from the harbour.

Yacht Types Available

• Motor Yachts (55’–99’) – The ideal vessel for Cannes-based charters. Quick enough to reach St Tropez, the Estérel and Nice in the same week. Full crew, water toys and flexible itinerary planning. Weekly rates from approximately $40,000 during shoulder season.

• Superyachts (100’+) – Cannes’ four marinas offer excellent superyacht facilities. During the Film Festival, a berth in the Vieux Port puts you at the centre of the action. Port Canto provides a quieter, equally well-equipped alternative for those preferring privacy.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – Stable and spacious, with a shallow draft ideal for the Îles de Lérins’ sandy anchorages and the Estérel’s rocky calanques. Generous deck space for on-board entertaining and family comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a yacht charter in Cannes cost?

Crewed motor yachts (55’–99’) start from around $40,000–$65,000 per week all-inclusive during peak season. Superyachts (100’+) typically range from $100,000–$350,000+ per week on MYBA terms. Luxury catamarans start from roughly $35,000–$55,000 per week. Film Festival and Yachting Festival weeks command premium rates and should be booked well in advance.

Can I charter a yacht during the Cannes Film Festival?

Yes, and it is one of the most popular charter experiences on the Riviera. Superyachts serve as floating hotels, offices and entertainment venues throughout the festival. The most coveted berths are in the Vieux Port, directly facing the Palais des Festivals. Boatcrowd recommends booking 9–12 months in advance due to extremely high demand. Port Canto offers an excellent alternative for yachts not requiring Vieux Port accreditation.

How far are the Îles de Lérins from Cannes?

The Îles de Lérins are just 15 minutes by yacht from the Vieux Port – roughly 1 nautical mile to Île Sainte-Marguerite and 2 nautical miles to Île Saint-Honorat. They make an ideal half-day or full-day stop on every Cannes-based charter, offering history, nature and outstanding swimming in calm, clear water.

Is Cannes a good base for exploring the rest of the Riviera?

Cannes is arguably the best base on the Côte d’Azur for a multi-destination charter. St Tropez is 24 NM west (90 minutes). Nice is 16 NM east (50 minutes). Monaco is 25 NM east (75 minutes). Antibes is 7 NM (25 minutes). The Estérel coast begins 10 NM to the west. Your captain can show you a different coastline every day without a single passage longer than two hours.

What are the best restaurants near the port?

Within walking distance of the Vieux Port: La Palme d’Or at the Hôtel Martinez (two Michelin stars, contemporary Provençal cuisine). In Le Suquet, the old quarter above the harbour, several bistros and wine bars offer harbour views and honest Provençal cooking. The Marché Forville (open every morning except Monday) is the city’s premier food market. For a special evening, take a taxi to Mougins (15 minutes) for hilltop Michelin dining with panoramic views.