Sea excursions

The French Riviera enjoys exceptional sunshine from March to November, making sea excursions pleasant for a large part of the year.

High season (June to September) optimal conditions for swimming, calm sea, generous light. It is also the time of Cannes Pyrotechnic Art Festival in July-August. Spots sell out quickly, booking in advance is strongly recommended.

Mid-season (April, May, October) Fewer people, very pleasant sea, often better light for photography. Ideal for Excursions in the Estérel or towards Monaco.

Black Tenders operates year-round depending on weather conditions. Consult the full excursion program For current season availability.

The must-sees of the French Riviera are spread across four main areas. To the east, the Bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and the principality of Monaco offer a landscape of luxury villas and crystal-clear waters. In the center, the Lérins Islands (Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat) are the star destination from Cannes, with their eucalyptus forest and swimming coves. To the west, the Corniche d'Or and the red rocks of the Esterel display a spectacular contrast between volcanic massif and the Mediterranean. Further on, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and Port Grimaud make for a day trip from Cannes or Théoule-sur-Mer.

Prices vary depending on the format, duration, and type of boat. Expect to pay €40 to €80 per person for a shared 2-hour excursion such as a coastal tour or a trip to the Lérins Islands. A half-day with swimming stops ranges between €90 and €150 per person for groups. For a private rental with a captain on a rigid-hulled inflatable boat, prices start around €800 for a half-day and €1,500 for a full day. High-end day yachts and sailboats are rented from €2,500 per day, with fuel and skipper included.

On a fast semi-rigid boat, the Nice - Saint-Tropez journey takes about 2 to 2.5 hours depending on sea conditions. From Cannes, the trip is shorter: 1 to 1.5 hours. Most day trips depart from Cannes rather than Nice to allow more time in Saint-Tropez. By ferry or cruise catamaran, allow 2.5 to 3 hours from Nice. The best time to cross is in the morning, as the sea is generally calmer before the west wind picks up in the early afternoon.

Yes, the Mediterranean off the Côte d’Azur is home to several protected species: striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, and occasionally fin whales in the summer. Sightings are more frequent offshore, several nautical miles from the coast, between June and September when the waters are richest. Some dedicated excursions depart from Nice, Cannes, or Saint-Raphaël with naturalists on board. No sightings can be guaranteed: cetaceans remain wild animals, free to move as they please. It is strictly forbidden to swim with them or cut off their path.

Three options coexist on the French Riviera. Cruising refers to a multi-day stay on board a ship with cabins, meals, and stops (cruise ships, habitable sailboats). A sea excursion is a full-day or half-day outing, typically shared with other passengers, with a fixed itinerary and onboard commentary. Boat rental, with or without a skipper, allows you to charter a vessel to create your own route: choice of swimming coves, duration of stops, and customized schedules. This last option is the most flexible but also the most expensive per day.