The Lérins Islands sit one nautical mile off the coast of Cannes. Fifteen minutes by yacht. No berthing fees. No crowds, at least not when you anchor on the south side. Clear water over white sand, with the hills of the Esterel behind you.
This is the charter people book when they have a half-day free. It is also the charter that congress organizers use as a client reward between sessions. And it is, by a wide margin, the most requested route at Ocean Five.
Two islands, two atmospheres
Sainte-Marguerite is the larger island. Dense pine and eucalyptus forest, walking trails, a small harbor on the north side. The Fort Royal sits on the eastern point. A few modest restaurants operate near the harbor in season.
Most yachts anchor on the south-facing side of Sainte-Marguerite, in the channel between the two islands. The water is shallow enough to see the bottom at 5 metres. The spot is sheltered from the Mistral by the island itself.
Saint-Honorat is the smaller island, home to a monastic community since the 5th century and today to Cistercian monks. They produce wine and lavender honey. Visitors can walk the island in 45 minutes. There is one restaurant, La Tonnelle, which serves lunch only and books out fast in summer.
The standard route
A typical Lérins charter from Cannes follows this pattern.
Depart from the Vieux Port or Port Pierre Canto at 10:00. Cross to the south side of Sainte-Marguerite. Anchor by 10:20.
Swim, paddleboard or sit on deck. Lunch at anchor with the crew serving on the aft deck or on the swim platform depending on the yacht. Most clients choose a Mediterranean buffet: grilled fish, salads, local cheese, rosé.
After lunch, move to the west side of Saint-Honorat for a second swim stop. Some groups take the tender ashore to visit the abbey and the vineyard. Return to Cannes by 14:00 or 15:00.
Total time: four to five hours. Three hours is the minimum for a comfortable experience.
Why it works during congresses
During congress weeks, the Lérins charter fills a specific gap. Delegates sit in conference rooms all day. A half-day break at anchor, 15 minutes from the Palais, resets the energy without losing productive time.
Groups of 8 to 12 work best on a single yacht. For larger delegations, two or three yachts anchoring together create an informal fleet atmosphere without the logistics of a large-vessel event.
Practical details
- Duration: 3 to 5 hours (half-day charter).
- Rates: half-day rates are offered on yachts under 20 metres. Yachts above 20 metres are chartered at the day rate, because they require a lot of preparation.
- Best months: April to October.
- Group size: depends on the yacht. 8 to 12 on a day cruiser, up to 30 on a larger motor yacht.
- Catering: arranged in advance, served on board.
- What to bring: swimwear, sunscreen, a light layer for the crossing.
- Anchoring: no fees at the Lérins anchorage. Regulations may apply in certain zones during peak season.
Going further
The Lérins Islands are the entry point. Clients who do this charter once often come back for a longer route. Cannes to Saint-Tropez is the next step up. For a week-long adventure, see our Corsica yacht charter page covering the best anchorages between the Riviera and the island. More about the islands on our Lérins Islands yacht charter page.
Contact us at charter@ocean5yachts.com with your dates. We confirm availability as soon as possible, sometimes the same day.
Last updated: October 2026
