Want to rent a yacht in Cannes to experience the Riviera in a whole new way? You’ve made the right choice. From Port Canto or the Old Port, you can set sail in just a few minutes to the Lérins Islands, Golfe-Juan, the Estérel coastal cliffs, or the Bay of Villefranche.
Allow half a day for a trip around the bay, a full day to reach Cap d'Antibes or Monaco, and a week for a cruise to Corsica. Prices vary depending on the type of yacht, whether a skipper is included, and the season. A partner based on the French Riviera ensures the best sailing conditions and an itinerary truly tailored to your experience.
Cannes, a maritime capital with deep roots
Cannes is often reduced to the Croisette and the Film Festival. But the city has a much older connection to the sea.
The old port of Cannes, at the foot of Le Suquet, has been a small fishing port since its inception. It is also the haven that Lord Brougham discovered in December 1834, while traveling to Italy, stranded at the border by a cholera epidemic. He would remain there for the rest of his life, bringing the English aristocracy in his wake and working to develop the city. It was his arrival that transformed the fishing village into a prestigious destination.
The port of Cannes was initially used for trade and fishing. It wasn’t until the second half of the 19th century that the first pleasure boats began to anchor in the harbor. But from that point on, the bay established itself as an exceptional sailing destination.
On April 25, 1859, the yachts Touriste, Olga, Jeannette, and Léro, joined by small sailing and rowing boats belonging to local fishermen, competed in the first regatta ever held here. Cannes’s nautical tradition was born. It is largely thanks to yachting that Cannes—described as early as 1896 as the “Cowes of the Mediterranean” by the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII—became the world-renowned hub of high society.
The Régates Royales, created in 1929 in honor of King Christian X of Denmark and his yacht Dana, attract the world’s finest sailors to the old port of Cannes. Every late September, around a hundred traditional sailing vessels compete in the Bay of Cannes off the Lérins Islands, on the French Riviera in the Alpes-Maritimes.
When you board a yacht from Port Canto or Quai Laubeuf, you’re sailing on waters steeped in history. It’s not just the glamour of the Film Festival. It’s a maritime culture rooted here for nearly two centuries.
Experience the French Riviera through the seasons
The French Riviera in July is the postcard image everyone knows. But the Riviera has other sides, often far more interesting for sailing.
Spring is the best time for those who want to enjoy the sea without the crowds. From March to May, the anchorages are peaceful, the morning light over the Estérel is unparalleled, and yacht charter prices remain well below those of the high season. You can book a sailboat or catamaran with near-immediate availability.
Summer is when demand peaks. The high season, from June to mid-September, is when rates reach their highest. If you’re planning for this period, instant booking and flexible cancellation are the best options to secure your trip. An experienced crew knows the less crowded anchorages, even in the middle of August.
Early fall is the best time for a regatta on the French Riviera, according to port professionals. The late season offers calmer sailing, still-warm waters, and deserted stops. It’s the perfect time to explore at your own pace, with family or friends.
Winter, finally, reveals a hidden Riviera. The sea is navigable far more often than one might think. Clear January days allow for magnificent trips to the Lérins Islands or Cap d’Antibes, with exceptional visibility all the way to Corsica in good weather. An unforgettable experience for those willing to venture off the beaten path.
To take advantage of these sailing windows during the off-season, contact a local provider directly for tailored offers.
Stops for the discerning traveler
The Bay of Cannes is a starting point for destinations that standard guidebooks don’t highlight enough.
Let’s start in the west. A few miles from Port Canto, the Estérel and Théoule-sur-Mer offer some of the most beautiful sailing in the Mediterranean. The crystal-clear waters blend with the vertiginous cliffs overlooking the anchorages, creating a contrast so idyllic it seems unreal. An atmosphere of silence and grandeur reigns over this unspoiled natural landscape. The coastal shoreline features a mosaic of habitats conducive to significant biodiversity: shallow rocky and pebble bottoms, sandbars, and Posidonia seagrass beds. These fragile seabeds should be observed from the boat’s deck or while snorkeling, with the respect they deserve.
Now, head east. Cap d’Antibes is a must-visit stop from Cannes. Pointe Bacon, viewed from the open sea, is one of the Riviera’s most elegant horizons. The Gulf of Juan, situated between the two, is a historic anchorage: it was here that Napoleon landed in March 1815 upon his return from Elba.
Further on, Villefranche-sur-Mer boasts one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful harbors. Deep and well-sheltered, it regularly welcomes the world’s largest luxury yachts. The town retains a rare authenticity on the French Riviera, with its colorful facades and narrow streets leading down to the waterfront.
In nearby Beaulieu, the Villa Kérylos, built between 1902 and 1908, is a luxurious reconstruction of a 2nd-century BC Greek house from Delos, entirely facing the sea. From the deck of your yacht, you can see it perched on its rocky promontory, facing the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. A view that can only be seen from the water.
And then, of course, Monaco. From Cannes, the principality is a 90-minute boat ride away in good conditions. Arriving by sea rather than by car offers a different perspective on why this place continues to fascinate the entire world.
A partner deeply rooted in the region
Renting a yacht on the French Riviera is one thing. Choosing the right service provider is another.
Since 1959, Santarelli Marine has supported yacht owners and enthusiasts through comprehensive sales, charter, and maintenance services. With recognized expertise and 16,000 m² of facilities, the group has established itself as a leader in high-end yachting in France and the Mediterranean.
Nautibliss is a subsidiary of Santarelli Marine, yachting experts since 1959. Based in Cannes, the agency is the preferred partner for the charter, purchase, and management of luxury yachts. The team supports each client with personalized and exclusive service, from boat selection to operational management.
What this means for you in practical terms: your skipper knows the seasonal anchorages of the Estérel, the unspoiled swimming areas between Théoule and Saint-Raphaël, and the typical wind conditions in the Gulf of Juan during the late season. This isn’t just book knowledge. It’s on-the-ground expertise, passed down through four generations.
A group with such deep local roots also offers a guarantee of reliability regarding practical matters: the boat’s condition, compliance, insurance, and cancellation management. Booking a luxury yacht leaves no room for improvisation.
The available fleet includes various types of yachts to suit your plans: sailboats, catamarans, motorboats, and superyachts with a full crew. Each option caters to a different way of experiencing the sea, and your contact can guide you based on your sailing experience, the size of your group, and the length of your stay.
Conclusion
Renting a yacht in Cannes is not just another tourist activity on the Riviera. It is a choice that reflects a connection to the region.
The sea is not merely a backdrop here. It is the foundation of a maritime culture dating back to 1859, to Lord Brougham, and to the fishermen of Le Suquet. Sailing from Port Canto means becoming part of this legacy, with the comfort and freedom of a luxury yacht.
The stops you choose—Théoule and its blood-red cliffs, Cap d’Antibes at dusk, Villa Kérylos seen from the open sea, the bay of Villefranche in the middle of October—will not resemble the photos everyone brings back from the French Riviera.
They will belong to you.
To plan your cruise, check availability, and choose your yacht based on the season, visit this page to find the best options.
