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

The best part of this eight-hour catamaran cruise is the generous amount of time spent at anchor. You are not simply cruising past the Côte d’Azur with a quick photo stop. You get a long pause between the Lérins Islands for lunch, swimming, paddling, and quiet time on deck, followed by another stop near Cap d’Antibes.

I especially like the freshly prepared buffet meal and the sensible all-inclusive setup. Wine, an aperitif, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water are part of the day, so you are not constantly reaching for your wallet. I also like the calm, helpful crew, including Captain Francois, who adjusted the route when wind and boat traffic made the planned anchorage less suitable.

The main consideration is that the exact route is not fixed. Wind, sea conditions, national park rules, and crowding can change the anchorage. That flexibility is good seamanship, but it means you should book this for a relaxed day on the water, not for a guaranteed visit to one precise cove.

Key points to know

• Two long anchorages: Spend time between the Lérins Islands, then near Cap d’Antibes or the Gulf of Juan.
• Lunch at sea: A varied buffet is served with Côtes de Provence wine, including white, red, and rosé.
• Mayba catamaran: The French-made Maxi Catamaran offers a broad, comfortable platform for sailing and relaxing.
• Water activities included: Paddles are provided for exploring around the boat, along with time to swim and snorkel.
• Helpful crew: Captain Francois and the three-person crew are noted for attentive service and careful route decisions.
• Easy departure point: Meet at Quai O in Port Marina Baie des Anges at 9:20 a.m., with return around 5:30 p.m.

A full day from Marina Baie des Anges to the open sea

This is a proper day on the Mediterranean, not a short harbor outing. You meet the crew at 9:20 a.m. at Quai O in Port Marina Baie des Anges, then board the Maxi Catamaran Mayba for a 9:30 departure.

The crew gives you an introduction to the boat, explains the plan, and covers basic safety points before leaving the harbor. Live guidance is available in French and English, which helps if you want more than scenery and sun. Some material may remain in its original language, so this is not a highly scripted sightseeing lecture.

The setting makes a strong first impression. Marina Baie des Anges is close to Nice, Antibes, Cannes, and other Côte d’Azur bases, yet once the catamaran is under way, the day quickly shifts from marinas and roads to open water. You can watch the coastline from the deck as the boat heads toward the Lérins Islands, with about an hour and a quarter of sailing before the first anchorage.

That sailing time matters. You get a real sense of the coast rather than being dropped at a nearby swimming spot. It also gives you time to settle in, choose a place on deck, and get used to the movement of the boat before lunch.

Why the Mayba works well for a long cruise

A Maxi Catamaran is a good match for a day built around relaxation. The two-hull design provides a wide platform, and the appeal here is less about speed than comfort, space, and a steady base for meals and swimming.

The supplied information describes the Mayba as a magnificent French-made Maxi Catamaran. More useful than the label is how the boat fits the schedule: you spend much of the day aboard, so a comfortable deck and room to move matter as much as the destinations.

The boat was not full on one family outing, which made it easier to enjoy the swimming stops without feeling packed in. That will not guarantee the same conditions on every departure, but it gives you a useful expectation: this experience is designed to feel more leisurely than a tightly loaded sightseeing boat.

Still, you should pack for a day where your comfort depends on the weather. Bring sunglasses, a towel, beachwear, and biodegradable sunscreen. The sun can feel strong on open water, and there is little reason to spend a beautiful cruise nursing a sunburn.

The Lérins Islands anchorage at 10:45 a.m.

Around 10:45 a.m., the catamaran anchors between the Lérins Islands. This is the main scenic pause of the morning, with clear water, island views, and a setting that feels far removed from the Côte d’Azur roads.

The exact anchoring point can change, but the plan is to stop in a sheltered natural setting where you can choose how active you want to be. You can stay on deck with a drink, swim near the boat, or use one of the provided stand-up paddleboards to look around the immediate area.

The water activities are a useful part of the experience because they give the stop some shape. You are not limited to sitting in the same chair for several hours, but you also do not need to join an organized activity every minute. If you prefer a quiet morning, simply remain aboard and enjoy the view.

The first anchorage has also proved to be a strong point for families. Children aged 8 and 14 had enough time to swim, use the paddleboards, and relax without the day feeling rushed. That makes this a better choice for families comfortable around open water than for anyone seeking a packed schedule of shore visits.

Lunch with Côtes de Provence wine

Lunch is served at the first anchorage, which is one of the day’s real pleasures. The buffet is described as varied and prepared by a caterer with fresh, authentic flavors. In at least one departure, the crew freshly cooked chicken strips and prawns aboard, adding a warm element to what might otherwise be a standard cold buffet.

Wine is included with the meal: Côtes de Provence white, red, and rosé. The drinks selection also covers still and sparkling water, orange juice, multi-fruit juice, cola, lemonade, coffee, and tea. A Punch Planteur is served as the aperitif.

This arrangement gives the cruise good value. At $175 per person, you are paying for eight hours on a large catamaran, two anchorages, lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and water activities. Comparable boat outings can look cheaper until you add a meal, drinks, and equipment, so the all-inclusive structure is worth considering rather than judging the price by the boat ride alone.

The trade-off is that you do not choose from a restaurant menu. You receive the buffet offered on the day, and the food is part of the shared onboard rhythm. For most people, that is exactly right: lunch arrives without interrupting the anchorage, and you can eat while looking out over the water.

Alcohol is included, but the day is still a sea outing. Drink sensibly, especially if you plan to swim or use the paddleboards. The crew’s attention is better spent on the boat and changing conditions than on managing overindulgence.

The afternoon run toward Cap d’Antibes

At 2:45 p.m., the catamaran leaves the islands and heads toward Cap d’Antibes. This section gives you a different view of the Côte d’Azur, with coves and villas lining the coast.

The boat may pass areas associated with Anse de la Salis, Garoupe, or Olivette, but the final stop depends on wind, traffic, and local rules. Around 3:15 p.m., the crew aims to anchor in a quiet bay for a second period of swimming and rest.

This is where the itinerary shows good practical judgment. One departure could not stop at the planned spot because too many boats were anchored there and the wind was too strong. The captain continued carefully and shifted the afternoon stop toward the Gulf of Juan, with views of the house connected to Jules Verne’s writing.

That change is worth understanding before you book. You may not get the exact cove shown in promotional photos, but a responsible captain will put safety and a workable anchorage first. The replacement stop still provided swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and time on the boat.

The second anchorage also breaks up the day well. After lunch and a morning in the sun, you have another chance to get into the water or simply stretch out on deck. If you prefer scenery to swimming, the cruise along Cap d’Antibes gives you plenty to look at without requiring a shore excursion.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding without a rush

The water time is built around freedom rather than a formal lesson. Paddles are provided, and you can use them around the anchored catamaran. You can also swim and snorkel in the clear water, subject to the crew’s directions and the conditions at the stop.

I like this format because you can match the day to your energy. A strong swimmer may want to spend most of the anchorage in the water. Someone who is less confident can remain close to the boat or stay on deck. The crew was especially attentive to one passenger who felt nervous, which suggests a considerate approach without pretending that the sea is risk-free.

You should still be comfortable with a boat-based swimming stop. The activity information does not promise a supervised snorkeling lesson, a dedicated lifeguard, or shore access. Bring your own sense of caution, listen to the crew, and do not treat the provided paddles as a substitute for swimming ability.

The catamaran’s wide deck is important here. Once everyone is dry, you can find a place to rest, take in the coastline, and let the afternoon pass at a gentler pace. This is not the right excursion if you want a constant flow of guided attractions. It is a good one if you want permission to do very little.

The crew and the changing route

Service can make or break a full-day boat trip. Here, the crew has been praised for being friendly, professional, and attentive, with special mention of Captain Francois and his team.

The strongest example is not simply cheerful service. It is the decision to alter the afternoon plan when wind and crowded moorings made the intended stop unsuitable. That tells you what kind of cruise this is: the route is a plan, not a promise carved in stone.

The crew also handles the practical work around lunch and drinks, including freshly cooking some food on one departure. That makes the experience feel more personal than an entirely self-service boat ride.

French and English are the available tour languages. If you want detailed information about every coastal feature, ask questions during the sailing sections. If you mainly want sun, water, food, and scenery, you can enjoy the cruise without needing constant commentary.

What $175 really buys you

The $175 price is not a bargain in the narrow sense, but it is reasonable for a full eight-hour outing with several inclusions. You receive:

• Catamaran sailing from 9:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m.
• A morning anchorage between the Lérins Islands
• A second anchorage near Cap d’Antibes or an alternate location
• Buffet lunch
• Aperitif
• Côtes de Provence wine
• Soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea
• Stand-up paddleboards
• French and English guidance

The value is strongest if you plan to make use of the whole day. A person who only wants a one-hour scenic cruise could find this too long and too costly. But if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, a boat trip, and water equipment, the package becomes easier to justify.

The all-inclusive format also makes the day simple. Once aboard, you are not stopping at a beach restaurant or searching for a café at each anchorage. You can focus on the coast and the water.

Practical details before you book

Meet at Quai O, Port Marina Baie des Anges, beside the Maxi Catamaran Mayba. The stated meeting time is 9:20 a.m., with boarding and safety information before the 9:30 departure.

Plan to arrive with enough time to find the port area. A useful point for drivers is that clear information about long-stay parking may not be easy to find nearby, so investigate parking before the morning of the cruise rather than assuming a convenient space will be available.

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• Towel
• Beachwear
• Biodegradable sunscreen

The route and anchorages can change because of weather, wind, sea conditions, wildlife protection, and national park regulations. That is normal for a responsible sailing operation, but it is worth keeping in mind if your heart is set on one named bay.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the current starting time and availability when booking, since those details can vary.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this day to couples, families, and small groups who want a slow Mediterranean outing with very little planning once they board. It works especially well for people who value time at anchor more than a long list of shore stops.

Families should appreciate the balance of swimming, paddling, food, and downtime. The route offers enough activity for older children while giving adults room to relax. Nervous swimmers can stay aboard, though everyone should be prepared for a boat-centered day.

This is also a good choice if you want an easy way to see both the Lérins Islands and the Cap d’Antibes coast in one outing. You get two distinct stretches of scenery without packing and unpacking, changing transport, or finding separate restaurants.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who dislikes open water, wants a guaranteed itinerary, or expects a formal island walking tour. You will not spend the day exploring villages or museums. The point is the sea, the catamaran, the food, and the freedom to slow down.

Should you book the Mayba catamaran day?

Book it if you want a polished, full-day Côte d’Azur boat experience with two swimming stops, a proper lunch, and drinks included. The crew’s flexibility is a strength, and the route change toward the Gulf of Juan shows why a captain must be able to adjust plans.

At $175, the cruise makes the most sense when you use the inclusions and enjoy a full day on the water. Bring a towel, protect yourself from the sun, and keep an open mind about the exact anchorage. If that sounds like your ideal Mediterranean day, the Mayba offers a comfortable and well-paced way to spend it.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The meeting point is Quai O at Port Marina Baie des Anges. The boat is the Maxi Catamaran Mayba.

What time does the cruise start and finish?

Boarding is at 9:20 a.m., with departure at 9:30 a.m. Return to Marina Baie des Anges is scheduled for about 5:30 p.m., making the activity eight hours long.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes a buffet lunch, Punch Planteur as an aperitif, Côtes de Provence red, white, and rosé wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea.

Is the cruise available in English?

Yes. Live guidance is available in French and English. Some content may be presented in its original language.

Can I swim or use a paddleboard?

Yes. The cruise provides stand-up paddleboards, and the anchorages allow time for swimming and snorkeling, subject to weather, sea conditions, and crew instructions.

Will the catamaran always stop at the same coves?

No. The route and anchorages may change because of weather, wind, boat traffic, wildlife protection, national park rules, and other local conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, beachwear, and biodegradable sunscreen. You should also be ready for a full day spent aboard the catamaran.