French Riviera · yacht charter
Cannes.
Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto departures, with private anchorages off the Lérins islands and the Cap d’Antibes.
Overview
What to expect.
Cannes is the western anchor of the Côte d’Azur and the principal year-round charter port between Monaco and Saint-Tropez. The Vieux Port sits in the centre of the old town; Port Pierre Canto handles the superyacht end of the fleet. A short cruise leads to the Lérins islands, the Cap d’Antibes anchorages, and Saint-Tropez within a half-day’s run.
The Cannes calendar is shaped by two principal weeks. The Cannes Film Festival in May and the Cannes Yachting Festival in early September. Both pull the largest fleet of the season and tighten yacht availability significantly. The shoulder months of June and late September deliver the most rewarding cruising: calmer anchorages, lighter winds, and the routing options open.
Fleet
Yachts currently open in Cannes.
Season
When to cruise.
- Best months
- May to September
- Prevailing winds
- Mistral · light
- Typical base ports
- Vieux Port de Cannes · Port Pierre Canto
Reliable from mid-May through early October. The Cannes Festival in May and the Yachting Festival in September are the two compression weeks; the June and late-September shoulders return the most rewarding cruising: calmer anchorages, lighter winds, route options open.
Ports
Marinas and anchorages.
Vieux Port de Cannes
The central harbour, walking distance to the Croisette. Short charters and day cruising depart from here.
Port Pierre Canto
The superyacht quay east of the Vieux Port. Deep berthing and quieter operations.
Lérins islands
Sheltered anchorages a fifteen-minute tender from the Vieux Port. The standard short-cruise routing.
Frequently asked
Practical questions.
- When is the cruising season in Cannes?
- Mid-May through early October. The harbour fills around the Cannes Festival in May and the Cannes Yachting Festival in September — book those windows months ahead.
- Where do charters depart from?
- Vieux Port for shorter charters and the Pampelonne run; Port Pierre Canto for superyacht embarkation. Anchorages off the Lérins islands and Cap d’Antibes feature in most itineraries.
- How long is a typical charter from Cannes?
- Five to seven nights for a Côte d’Azur cruise to Saint-Tropez and Monaco, or three nights for a Lérins-focused short charter. Day cruising is also arranged.
- How does the advisor process work?
- A short conversation about dates, party and brief leads to a shortlist within the hour. The advisor then handles yacht selection, contracting, and crew briefing through embarkation.
- Can charters extend beyond the French Riviera?
- Yes — the Italian Riviera, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearics are within easy reach. Cross-Mediterranean routes to the Greek Islands are arranged on owner request.
Plan your charter
Send a brief.
Share your dates and party size. A private advisor will reply within the hour.
Direct
Or speak to an advisor now.
For an urgent brief, a private advisor is on WhatsApp during operating hours.
Marinas & ports
- Vieux Port de Cannes
- Port Pierre Canto
Calls returned within the working day. First response often inside the hour on WhatsApp.
Nearby
Other destinations in the French Riviera.
Plan a charter
Plan a charter in Cannes.
A private advisor will return a short, curated proposal within the hour.