Cannes Boat Day: Islands of Lerins Review & Guide

Thinking about ditching the crowds of Cannes for a little bit of island hopping? A boat trip to the Islands of Lerins might just be that very thing for you. Just a short ride away from the French Riviera’s main draw, these islands give you quiet beaches, historic spots, and, you know, that true Mediterranean feel. If you’re wondering what a day on the water checking out Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat is like, you have come to just the right place.

Setting Sail: What to anticipate

Okay, before you even, you know, step foot on a boat, picking the right tour could be something to look at. So, tour options can be found all over the place, near enough. Some tours do offer, you know, just the basics: transportation, plus a little information here and there, but, some others go the extra mile and have things like lunch, drinks, and, oh, very informative guides. Getting on the boat usually starts near the harbor in Cannes. Then too, it might be nice to arrive a bit early to grab, maybe, a good seat, very much if you are looking for amazing photos.

Sainte-Marguerite: History and Hike

First off, many tours generally will take you to Sainte-Marguerite, you know, the larger of the two islands. That main pull of Sainte-Marguerite would probably be Fort Royal, so a very well known prison that, as a matter of fact, once held the mysterious “Man in the Iron Mask.” Checking out the fort it’s almost like stepping back in time. So, make sure you bring your camera to capture all that. Beyond the fort, Sainte-Marguerite is actually amazing for anyone into nature. Trails will wind all over the island through forests, by the way, offering some cool views of the sea.

Saint-Honorat: Monks and Monastery

Saint-Honorat, on the flip side, would be smaller and tends to feel a bit, maybe, more spiritual, arguably. The Lérins Abbey is really at the heart of this island. So, monks live here and still make, literally, their own wines and liqueurs, alright. Taking a walk near the monastery really can be interesting. Plus you’ll, perhaps, learn about their lifestyle. Just so you know, the views near the coast are worth the trip too, honestly.

Beach Time and Lunch Spots

Spending a day touring wouldn’t be that great unless you can chill out, you know? Sainte-Marguerite will boast a handful of rocky beaches and bays, somewhere you could take a quick dip, you know, relax by the water, maybe soak up the Mediterranean sun. So, bring along your swimsuit plus a towel. Saint-Honorat won’t offer as many beaches, but just what it lacks in the way of beaches, but too, there are just a couple nice spots for just, you know, unwinding and viewing some water. Lunch could be whatever you feel like it to be, like maybe grabbing food at the restaurant on Sainte-Marguerite or taking it easy on the boat with the lunch package.

Boat Trip Considerations

A day near the Islands of Lérins really does sound like fun, by the way, right, but think about a thing or two so everything goes swimmingly. When is a solid time of year to make the trip? Okay, anytime when it’s not summer. The spring or early fall usually has perfect weather plus less tourists. How would you dress to impress? Well, dress comfortably for strolling around, but still, think about having shoes appropriate enough to wander on uneven or rocky areas. The tours can change. The tour prices may differ wildly as well. Before agreeing, you might consider carefully weighing exactly how long any boat tours generally will last as well as exactly how long that tour says you will get to enjoy at each of the islands.

So, a boat trip out to the Islands of Lérins off the coast of Cannes could very well get you away to the calmness and some history. Whether the intention is to visit prisons that hold past secrets, take some kind of pleasant monastery tours, or, literally, perhaps you just desire relaxing through the coast’s gorgeous sea views, there might really be plenty of things you can have, to be sure. Take planning into serious consideration while figuring out tours as well as taking weather conditions quite seriously too to generally ensure there is enjoyment found when at the Islands of Lérins!