Marina Baie des Anges: Day trip with lunch on the Lérins Islands by catamaran

Lunch tastes better at anchor. This eight-hour cruise pairs a comfortable French-made maxi catamaran with two beautiful swimming stops, a buffet lunch, and open views of the Côte d’Azur. I especially like the relaxed pace and the fact that lunch, wine, soft drinks, and an aperitif are included. The main thing to keep in mind is that wind and crowding can change the planned anchorages.

The crew gets strong praise for its care and good humor, with Captain François receiving a special mention. The boat has enough space for swimming, paddleboarding, and simply stretching out on deck, though parking near Marina Baie des Anges may require extra planning for a long day.

Key points to know before you book

• Two anchorages in one day: You spend time between the Lérins Islands, then sail toward a cove near Cap d’Antibes.
• Fresh lunch at sea: The buffet includes a varied selection, with chicken breast strips and prawns prepared fresh by the crew on at least some departures.
• Drinks are included: Côtes de Provence white, red, and rosé wine are served with the meal, along with water, juices, coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
• Paddles are provided: You can use the supplied stand-up paddleboards during the swimming stops.
• The route can change: Wind, boat traffic, national park rules, and sea conditions may send the captain to a different cove.
• A full day on the water: Boarding is at 9:20 am, departure follows at 9:30 am, and you return around 5:30 pm.

Starting at Marina Baie des Anges at 9:20 am

Your day begins at Quai O in the Port of Marina Baie des Anges. Look for the maxi catamaran Mayba. Boarding is scheduled for 9:20 am, with departure at 9:30 am.

That small gap matters. You should arrive with time to find the quay, identify the boat, and settle in before the safety briefing. The crew introduces the ship, explains the plan, and covers basic safety before casting off.

Marina Baie des Anges is a practical starting point for a sea day because the cruise begins right from the harbor. You do not spend the first part of your morning on a long road transfer. Once the boat leaves, the Côte d’Azur begins to open around you.

The catamaran itself is one of the stronger parts of the experience. A maxi catamaran gives you several places to sit, move around, and watch the coast. You can enjoy the motion of the boat without being confined to one small seat, though the best spaces naturally go quickly, so arriving on time is useful.

The crossing from Cannes toward the Lérins Islands

The first stretch takes you toward the Lérins Islands, the small archipelago off Cannes. The crossing is not just transport to lunch. It gives you time to watch the coast from the water, with villas, headlands, and the wide Côte d’Azur shoreline passing by.

This is a good part of the day for a slow start. You can sit with a coffee, take photographs, or find a spot on deck before the swimming begins. The cruise does not try to pack in a long list of ports or shore visits. Its appeal is the time spent sailing and anchoring.

The first anchorage is planned for about 10:45 am, between the Lérins Islands. This setting is the heart of the cruise. The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the boat settles into a natural setting rather than a busy town harbor.

The exact position is not guaranteed. On one departure, the catamaran stopped near a neighboring island because the main area was too crowded and the wind was not suitable. That is worth understanding before you book. You may not reach the precise cove shown in promotional photographs, but the captain will choose a safer, calmer place when conditions demand it.

An anchorage built around lunch and swimming

Once the catamaran is anchored, the day shifts from sailing to idleness. You can relax on deck, swim, or use a paddleboard around the boat. A towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, and biodegradable sunscreen belong in your day bag.

The first stop includes an aperitif, followed by lunch. The aperitif is listed as a planteur punch, so you also have a non-alcoholic drink selection if you prefer not to drink. Alcohol is served in moderation, and the cruise includes Côtes de Provence AOP white, red, and rosé wine with the meal.

The buffet is intended to be more than a basic boat lunch. It is prepared by a caterer and focuses on fresh, local-style flavors. On one trip, the crew cooked chicken breast strips and prawns fresh on board, which adds a pleasant touch to the meal. The exact menu can vary, so you should not book expecting one specific dish.

Drinks come from the local brand Ôchwette and are served through plastic-free fountains. You can choose still or sparkling water, orange juice, multi-fruit juice, cola, lemonade, coffee, or tea. This setup reduces the pile of single-use bottles that often appears on a full-day boat trip.

The food and drinks are a real value point. A $175 price can feel high if you think of this only as a boat ride, but the day includes transport by catamaran, two anchorages, a buffet meal, an aperitif, wine, soft drinks, and use of the paddles. You are also buying eight hours on the sea, not simply a short sightseeing cruise.

What the first stop is really like

The Lérins Islands stop works best for people who want freedom within a simple plan. You are not rushed from one activity to the next. Swim if the water feels inviting, paddle if you want a little exercise, or stay dry with a book and a drink.

Families can make good use of this format. A family with children aged eight and fourteen found enough room and time for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and relaxing on the boat. The boat was not full on that departure, which made the day feel more comfortable.

Still, this is not a formal island tour with a long walk on shore. The supplied schedule describes an anchorage between the islands rather than a land visit. If your main goal is to explore monastery buildings, island paths, or museums, you should choose a different excursion.

The crew also has to respect the rules of the places visited, including regulations that protect wildlife and plant life. That means the captain may alter the route or limit activity in certain areas. It is a sensible tradeoff, and it helps protect the very scenery that makes the stop worthwhile.

Sailing past the coast to Cap d’Antibes

At 2:45 pm, the catamaran leaves the Lérins Islands and heads toward Cap d’Antibes. This second sailing period is a pleasant change of rhythm after lunch and swimming.

The route passes coves and large villas along the coast. It is a good time to settle back with a glass of wine, watch the shoreline, and let the crew handle the navigation. The trip does not promise a narrated history lecture, so the focus is on the view and the feeling of being offshore.

The boat reaches its second anchorage around 3:15 pm. Depending on the conditions, the cove may be Anse de la Salis, Garoupe, or Olivette. Each option gives you a different look at Cap d’Antibes, but the common appeal is calm water, a coastal setting, and time for one more swim.

One departure changed course toward the Gulf of Juan. The planned spot was too crowded and too windy, so the captain continued carefully and selected a more suitable place. The stop still allowed swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, with a view toward the house associated with Jules Verne’s writing.

That example tells you how to judge the experience. The captain is not treating the printed schedule as more important than safety and comfort. If you need an exact cove at an exact time, this cruise may frustrate you. If you prefer a sensible captain who adjusts to the sea, the flexibility is a benefit.

The second swim and the ride home

The second anchorage is shorter than the first, but it gives you another chance to get in the water or use the paddles. You can also stay aboard and enjoy the quiet of the cove. The schedule allows roughly an hour before the return sail.

I would bring a towel even if you do not plan to swim. Deck seating, splashes, and paddleboarding can leave you damp, and a towel is specifically listed among the things to bring. Biodegradable sunscreen is also requested, which is especially important around protected coastal waters.

At 4:15 pm, the catamaran begins the return to Marina Baie des Anges. This final sail gives you one last broad view of the coast. The boat is scheduled to reach the port around 5:30 pm, so you should not plan a tight evening booking immediately afterward.

The total day is long enough to feel like a proper escape rather than a quick outing. You have about six hours between departure and the final return sail, with the route divided between sailing, lunch, swimming, and rest. That balance is more appealing than a cruise that keeps you moving all day.

Crew service and the feel on board

The three-person crew receives some of the warmest praise connected with this cruise. Captain François is mentioned by name, and the crew is described as attentive, professional, and willing to help.

That care can matter if you are nervous on the water. One passenger noted that the crew looked after a spouse who felt anxious, which made the outing more comfortable. You should still expect a boat experience, not a calm-water guarantee, but the human side of the trip seems to be a genuine strength.

The crew also helps with food preparation, serving drinks, and making the swimming stops work smoothly. On a full-day cruise, small acts of attention make a difference. You are spending many hours with the same people, so a friendly crew is not a minor detail.

The atmosphere appears relaxed rather than formal. You can eat, swim, paddle, or simply sit in the sun. That makes this a good choice for couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a social day without a packed sightseeing agenda.

Price, value, and who should book

At $175 per person, this is not a budget boat outing. The price makes the most sense when you use what is included: a full eight-hour schedule, the catamaran, two anchorages, lunch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and paddleboards.

You also avoid the hassle of arranging separate transport to the islands, finding a place to eat, and hiring water equipment. If you were already planning a restaurant meal and a private boat or water taxi, the combined cost could rise quickly.

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a comfortable day at sea with very little planning. It suits people who value good food, swimming, views of the Côte d’Azur, and a crew that can adjust the route sensibly.

I would be more cautious if you dislike a full day in the sun, need a highly fixed schedule, or want extensive time ashore. The boat may be comfortable, but it remains an open-water outing. Wind, crowding, and marine rules can change the plan.

Parking deserves attention. One passenger specifically wanted clearer information about long-stay parking near the port. If you are driving to Marina Baie des Anges, check parking arrangements before the morning of the cruise rather than assuming a nearby space will be easy to find.

Booking is flexible, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. The tour is offered in French and English, though some content may be presented in its original language.

Should you book the Mayba catamaran day?

Book it if you want a slow, food-inclusive day on the Mediterranean, with two swimming stops and enough open space to enjoy the boat itself. The strongest reasons are the attentive crew, fresh lunch, included drinks, and the chance to see both the Lérins Islands and Cap d’Antibes in one outing.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed anchorage, a land-based island visit, or a short activity. The route is weather-dependent, but that flexibility is also part of responsible boating. At $175, it is best viewed as a full day of sailing, dining, and swimming rather than a simple transfer from one scenic spot to another.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

Meet at Quai O in the Port of Marina Baie des Anges. The catamaran is named Mayba.

What time does the cruise begin and end?

Boarding is scheduled for 9:20 am, with departure at 9:30 am. Return to Marina Baie des Anges and disembarkation are scheduled for about 5:30 pm.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A varied buffet lunch is included, along with an aperitif and drinks.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are still and sparkling water, orange juice, multi-fruit juice, cola, lemonade, coffee, tea, and planteur punch. White, red, and rosé Côtes de Provence AOP wines are served during the meal.

Are swimming and paddleboarding part of the day?

Yes. The catamaran makes two anchorages where you can swim, relax on deck, and use the provided stand-up paddleboards. The exact anchorages can change with weather, crowding, and local regulations.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear.