Most families spend their holidays in Cannes following the same routine: beach in the morning, a walk along the Croisette in the afternoon, dinner at a restaurant in the evening. The sea stays in the background, a decorative backdrop. Yet half a day on a boat charter in Cannes is enough to see the coastline from a completely different angle. The red rocks of the Esterel, the quiet coves near the Lerins Islands, turtles in the clear water off Sainte-Marguerite — children remember things like that for a long time. A private yacht gives you the freedom to build your own route: if you want to stay in a cove an extra hour because your child found a starfish, you stay.
We have put together a practical guide covering how to choose the right vessel, where to go and what to pack before you leave.
How to Choose a Yacht for a Family Day
People choose yachts with their eyes, but with children you need to choose with your head. A beautiful hull and a powerful engine mean nothing if there is nowhere to shelter from the sun on deck and getting into the water is awkward. When renting a yacht on the French Riviera, options range from open motorboats to sailing yachts with cabins and air conditioning. Here is what to look at first:
- Deck space. For a family with children, vessels from 10 metres upwards work best. On smaller boats children feel cramped and adults stay tense the whole time because the sides are so close.
- Awning or hardtop. The Mediterranean sun is particularly intense between 11:00 and 16:00. A shaded area at the stern or in the cockpit is essential for trips with children under 7.
- Water access. A stern platform with a ladder makes swimming and getting back on board much easier. For young children, a low freeboard and well-positioned guardrails matter a great deal.
- Cabin or enclosed space. If a child gets tired or overheated, they need somewhere to rest. A cabin with air conditioning solves this completely.
Choosing the right vessel takes care of most logistical questions before you even leave the harbour. Captains who regularly work with families usually suggest suitable options themselves, but the final decision is always yours.
Safety on Board: What Parents Need to Know
Even experienced travellers sometimes underestimate what it means to be on the water with a child. Most risks are easy to eliminate with simple measures, provided you think about them in advance. Before booking a private yacht, discuss with the captain or charter operator whether children’s life jackets in the right sizes are available, how high the guardrails are around the deck, whether access to the bow can be restricted and what the onboard first aid kit contains. Ask whether the crew has experience with family groups.
A tip from skippers: before your first time at sea, show your child the yacht while it is still at the dock. Let them get comfortable, touch the guardrails, sit in the cockpit. Ten minutes getting to know the boat takes away the fear of open water for most children.
Beyond the equipment, a lot depends on how the adults behave. The basic rule is straightforward: one parent stays with the child on the open deck at all times. During anchorage stops when children are swimming, one adult watches from the water, not just from the deck. This approach keeps risks to a minimum and lets everyone else relax.
Where to Go: Routes for Families with Children
Cannes has one great advantage for families: the most interesting spots are just 15 to 40 minutes from the port. If a child gets tired, you head back to the marina without losing half a day on the return journey. Renting a motorboat in Cannes gives you a speed advantage: a speedboat gets the family to the Lerins archipelago in fifteen minutes. Here are tried and tested destinations that work well for a day on the water with children:
- Sainte-Marguerite Island — the largest island in the Lerins archipelago. You can walk through a eucalyptus grove, show the children the fort of the Man in the Iron Mask and swim in shallow coves with sandy bottoms.
- Saint-Honorat Island — a quiet spot with an abbey and vineyards. Best suited to families with older children who will enjoy a walk along the shoreline.
- Mougins Bay — a sheltered stretch of water between Cannes and Juan-les-Pins. Calm water and shallow depth make it good conditions for snorkelling with children.
- Cap d’Antibes — a route along a rocky coastline with dramatic scenery. On the way back you can stop at Garoupe Bay with its turquoise water.
Experienced captains adjust the route as conditions develop, taking into account wind, sea state and how the passengers are doing. Do not try to fit in as many stops as possible in one outing. Two or three stops with swimming and lunch is the right format for a family with children.
Planning the Day: From Packing to Coming Home
A comfortable family day on the water comes down to small details that are worth sorting out in advance. Whether you book through Yacht Charter French Riviera or another operator, it is worth thinking about food and equipment ahead of time. Here is what is useful to prepare:
- Food: order catering on board or bring your own. Children eat more than usual on the water, so a good supply of snacks helps. Fruit, sandwiches and plenty of water are the bare minimum.
- Departure time: the best time to set off is between 9 and 10 in the morning. The heat is not yet intense at that point and the sea is usually calm. Getting back by 16:00 or 17:00 helps avoid overheating and tired children.
- Sun protection: apply SPF 50+ cream every two hours. Children under five need a sun hat and a rash guard. Even under a canopy, ultraviolet light reflects off the water surface.
- Activities: many yachts come equipped with water sports gear. When booking, check whether SUP boards, snorkelling masks and inflatable mats are available.
It is also worth putting together a bag with the essentials. You do not need to bring a lot, but a few things will definitely come in handy:
- a dry change of clothes for each child
- a light windbreaker (the temperature feels lower when the boat is moving)
- seasickness tablets if a child is prone to motion sickness
- a favourite toy or book for quiet moments at anchor
A list prepared in advance saves time on the morning of departure. If you are booking a yacht for the first time, do not hesitate to ask the operator questions — professional charter companies are used to these requests and will help you get the boat ready.
A day at sea with children in Cannes requires no sailing experience and involves no extreme activities. It is essentially a relaxed day on the water with swimming, islands and lunch in the open air. Among the boats available in Cannes there is an option for every budget and every family. Plan the route with the children’s ages in mind, choose the right vessel, keep the programme simple — and this day will be one of the most vivid memories of the holiday.