Boat Rental in Saint-Tropez: The Best Sea Escapes

Renting a boat is undoubtedly the most emblematic experience of a stay on the Saint-Tropez peninsula. Beyond the cliché, it is a radically different way to discover the Riviera: coves inaccessible by road, lunches on deserted private beaches at dawn, sunsets from offshore. Here’s everything you need to know to organise your sea outing — with or without a licence.

With or without a licence?

Licence-free boats (under 6 HP)

A licence-free boat, generally a small inflatable with a 6 HP engine, offers sufficient range to explore the coast 5-10 kilometres from your starting point. It’s an excellent option for:

• A first maritime experience
• Lunch in a nearby cove
• A half-day exploring Cap Taillat

Budget: €150-250 per half-day, €250-400 per day, fuel included for short trips.

Limitations: moderate speed (15-20 km/h maximum), almost no cabin, no serious sun shelter, no comfort equipment.

Boats with licence or skipper

For a truly comfortable experience, you enter the 300-600 HP segment with licence or skipper. Several ranges:

Day-boats of 7-10 metres (e.g., Axopar, Saxdor, Beneteau Flyer). Very fast (40-50 knots), comfortable spaces, ideal for a day. Budget: €800-1,800/day without skipper, €1,500-2,800/day with skipper and fuel.

Cruisers of 12-16 metres (e.g., Princess, Sunseeker, Pardo). Cabins, equipped kitchen, generous lounge spaces. Budget: €3,000-8,000/day with full crew.

Yachts of 18-25 metres. The segment beyond, for outings with permanent crew. Budget: €8,000-25,000/day.

Why choose a professional skipper?

Beyond comfort, a skipper brings:

• Local knowledge: the right coves depending on the day’s wind, authorised moorings, ideal time windows
• Peace of mind — navigating during the summer attendance period requires real expertise
• Fuel budget optimisation: an experienced skipper consumes 30-40% less than a beginner
• Mental liberation to truly enjoy the day

Count €350-600 extra for a day with skipper (excluding yacht captain service).

The best rental companies on the peninsula

Sillage — Cavalaire Port

Our recommended partner. Recent and well-maintained fleet, from 5 to 40 metres. Impeccable service, experienced professional skippers. 15 minutes from Villa Canopy.

Locavalaire — Cavalaire Port

Historic rental company, boats with and without licence, competitive rates. Good option for intermediate budgets.

Riviera Boat Charter — Saint-Tropez

High-end fleet, from day-boat to luxury yacht. Premium service, prices accordingly.

Les Mouillages — Sainte-Maxime

Reliable rental with varied fleet. Relevant alternative if you wish to head north to the Esterel calanques.

Essential itineraries

Itinerary 1 — Cap Taillat and Briande (half-day)

An absolute classic departing from Gigaro or Cavalaire.

• Departure — 10am from Gigaro or Cavalaire
• Direction — Heading to Cap Taillat (20 min)
• Mooring — In Briande bay, exceptional turquoise water
• Swimming, snorkelling — Area classified Natura 2000
• Lunch — On board or return to Gigaro
• Return — 2-3pm

A perfect itinerary for a first day. Fuel budget: €30-60.

Itinerary 2 — The Golden Islands (full day)

Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant form the Golden Islands archipelago, a protected Mediterranean jewel.

• Departure — 9:30am from Cavalaire
• Crossing — 1h30 at 25 knots
• Porquerolles — Lunch in the village, Notre-Dame beach, Silver beach (the most beautiful)
• Port-Cros — Afternoon in the wild island, snorkelling at the underwater trail
• Return — 6-7pm

Fuel budget: €250-400 depending on boat consumption. An unforgettable day.

Itinerary 3 — The Esterel calanques (full day)

Heading north-east, between Saint-Raphaël and Agay, to discover red rocks plunging into the sea.

• Departure — 9am from Saint-Tropez
• First stop — Island of Gold, facing Saint-Raphaël
• Lunch — Anthéor calanque or Agay harbour
• Swimming — Maubois calanque or Camp Long
• Return — 6pm

The beauty of the Cap Roux red massif is difficult to describe. Fuel budget: €200-350.

Itinerary 4 — Peninsula tour (half-day)

A complete loop around the Saint-Tropez peninsula, for a condensed overview.

• Gigaro — Heading west along the coast
• Escalet, Briande, Cap Taillat — Swimming stops
• Pampelonne — Lunch at Club 55 or Loulou (with reservation)
• Pointe du Capon, Saint-Tropez — View of the citadel from the sea
• Return Gigaro — Via Canebiers bay

Perfect for discovering the essentials in half a day. Fuel budget: €80-150.

Itinerary 5 — Lunch in Porquerolles (day)

Specific to this island, for a lasting memory.

• Departure — 10:30am from Cavalaire
• Porquerolles — Harbour mooring
• Lunch — Mas du Langoustier (gastronomic table) or Restaurant L’Alycastre (simpler)
• Notre-Dame beach — The most beautiful Mediterranean beach according to several rankings
• Return — 6pm via a pass through Cap Bénat

A sacred day for many Riviera regulars.

The essential mooring spots

La Briande

Large bay between Cap Taillat and Cap Lardier. Turquoise water, sandy bottom conducive to mooring, wild beach accessible only by sea or trail. One of the most beautiful spots on the Var coast.

L’Escalet Beach

Public beach from land, but offshore mooring offers incomparable tranquillity. Limpid waters, interesting rocky bottom for snorkelling.

Cap Taillat

Wild point classified by the Coastal Conservatory. Several coves on each side. Anse des Pierrots and Anse du Liouquet offer shelter depending on wind.

Rabiou rocks

Spectacular rock formations south of Canebiers point. Popular but magnificent spot, with 3-5 metre depths ideal for snorkelling beginners.

Canebiers Bay

The former filming bay of “And God Created Woman”. Popular mooring, near Saint-Tropez.

Practical tips for a successful day

Early departure — Leaving between 9am and 10am easily finds a mooring spot, especially in July-August. After noon, the best bays are often taken.

Hydration and food — Plan plenty of water (minimum 2 litres per person), and ideally a cool picnic. Some boats have refrigerators, others just a cooler.

Sun protection — Reflection at sea is particularly strong. SPF 50 cream, hat, polarised sunglasses, possibly a bimini (removable shade).

Anti-seasickness — Even in good weather, swell can surprise. A tablet of Cocculine or Nautamine before departure can save the day.

Warm clothing — For the return at the end of the day, especially if you sail at sustained speed. Felt temperature drops rapidly.

Snorkelling equipment — Even if the boat provides it, bring your own mask and snorkel. Rental masks are rarely comfortable.

Overall budget for a day at sea

For a full day for 6 people, according to options:

• Licence-free boat: €300
• 9-metre day-boat with skipper: €1,800-2,500 (fuel included)
• 11-metre day-boat with skipper: €2,500-3,800
• 14-metre cruiser with crew: €4,500-7,000
• Gourmet picnic on board (6 people): €200-400
• Fuel (depending on itinerary): €80-400

A day at sea remains one of the most memorable experiences of a stay at Villa Canopy. The space, freedom, changed relationship with the landscape and coast — nothing truly replaces this perspective.

With our private mooring buoy in Gigaro, returning to the villa at the end of a day at sea becomes exceptionally simple: mooring, dinghy, 5 minutes’ walk and you’re in the shower. Comfort that few addresses can offer on the French Riviera.