--- title: "Cannes Boat Tour: Esterel Red Cliffs Excursion" date: 2026-08-09 canonical: https://cannesboattour.com/tours/cannes-esterel-boat-excursion/ --- # Cannes Esterel Boat Excursion - Ticket price: From 75 EUR per person (Prices checked 2026-08-09, prices may vary) - Duration: About 2.5 hours - Best for: Small-group cliffs and coves route, not the Lerins Islands - Group boat tours - Check availability: https://www.getyourguide.com/en-us/cannes-l15/sea-excursion-esterel-massif-by-boat-t267717/?partner_id=D7H7I6M&utm_medium=travel_agent&cmp=cannesboattour_com_agent_markdown (GetYourGuide · This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.) - ★ Small semi-rigid boat, limited to 12 passengers - ★ Two swim stops in coves larger boats cannot reach - ★ Sea views of the Palais Bulles and Chateau de la Napoule - ★ Local captain narrates the Esterel's geology and history ## Our take This is the only tour in our Cannes boat tour lineup that skips the Lerins Islands entirely and heads for the Esterel's red volcanic cliffs instead, using a small RIB boat that can nose into coves the bigger catamarans cannot reach. Capped at 12 passengers, it feels more intimate than the group cruises, with two swim stops and a captain who narrates the geology and history as you go. The trade-off is that it departs from Mandelieu-la-Napoule rather than the Cannes Old Port itself, a short drive or taxi from central Cannes, and there is no snorkel gear or onboard food included. The **Cannes Esterel boat excursion** is a 2.5-hour ride along the red volcanic cliffs west of Cannes on a small, agile RIB boat, with two swim stops in coves the bigger catamarans cannot reach. From EUR 75, capped at 12 passengers, the route passes the Chateau de la Napoule, the Palais Bulles and Cap Roux, giving a completely different coastline from the Lerins Islands that most other Cannes boat tour options visit. ## What Makes the Cannes Esterel Boat Excursion Different? Almost every other boat tour departing near Cannes heads out to the Lerins Islands. This one goes the opposite direction, along the Esterel massif's red cliffs, using a small semi-rigid boat built to squeeze into narrow calanques that larger catamarans and ferries simply cannot enter. The result is a more intimate trip, just 12 passengers at most, with a local captain who narrates the region's volcanic geology and points out landmarks like the Palais Bulles that you would otherwise only see from a distance on land. ## Is the Cannes Esterel Boat Excursion Worth It? **Yes, if you want to see a different side of this coastline from the islands and catamaran cruises everyone else books.** At EUR 75 for 2.5 hours with two swim stops and a small-group format, it is competitively priced against the Lerins Islands options while covering completely different scenery. The one thing to weigh is the departure point: Mandelieu-la-Napoule rather than central Cannes, so factor in a short taxi or drive if you are not already staying nearby. ## What Does This Cannes Boat Excursion Include? Your ticket covers the 2.5-hour excursion, bottled water, and a life vest for the full trip. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to explore beneath the surface during the swim stops, and pack any food or snacks you want, since onboard catering is not part of the ticket. ## Who Should Book the Esterel Boat Excursion? Nature and geology enthusiasts, photographers chasing the Esterel's red cliffs, and travelers who have already done the standard Lerins Islands cruise on a previous trip are the best fit for this excursion. It also suits smaller groups who prefer a more intimate boat over a larger shared catamaran. It is a weaker choice for anyone who wants a Cannes Old Port departure without extra travel, or for those who specifically want snorkel gear and food included in the price. ## Getting to the Mandelieu-la-Napoule Meeting Point Mandelieu-la-Napoule sits a short drive or taxi ride west of central Cannes, close to the Chateau de la Napoule landmark that the boat passes early in the route. If you are relying on public transport, regional trains connect Cannes to Mandelieu-la-Napoule in around 10 minutes, with the departure point a short walk from the station. Arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes before your booked time to allow for check-in and the life vest fitting. ## Insider Tips for the Esterel Boat Excursion Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to look beneath the surface at the swim stops, since equipment is not provided. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack a change of clothes for after, since both swim stops happen mid-trip rather than at the end. A waterproof phone case is worth carrying given the open boat and sea spray along the faster stretches of the route. ## How This Compares to Other Cannes Boat Tours If you would rather visit the Lerins Islands with a similar swim-and-snorkel format, the [Cannes Half-Day Catamaran Cruise](https://cannesboattour.com/tours/cannes-half-day-catamaran-cruise/) departs directly from the Cannes Old Port. Travelers who want to see both the islands and this Esterel coastline in one trip should look at the [Cannes Full-Day Catamaran Cruise](https://cannesboattour.com/tours/cannes-full-day-catamaran-cruise/), which stops at both. For a fully private version of a similar Esterel route with a dedicated skipper, compare against the [Cannes Private Yacht Charter](https://cannesboattour.com/tours/cannes-private-yacht-charter/), which lists the Esterel as one of its selectable zones. ## What's included - ✓ Bottled water - ✓ Life vest and flotation aids - ✗ Snorkeling equipment (masks and snorkels) - ✗ Onboard catering - ✗ Transport to Mandelieu-la-Napoule ## Route and itinerary 1. **Check in at Mandelieu-la-Napoule**: Arrive at the departure point in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, a short drive west of central Cannes, around 15 to 20 minutes before departure. Staff fit you with a life vest before boarding the semi-rigid Black Tender boat. 2. **Pass the Chateau de la Napoule**: The boat sets off along the coast, passing close to the Chateau de la Napoule, a restored medieval fortress turned early 20th-century artist's residence, within the first few minutes of the trip. 3. **Cruise past Chateau des Mineurs and Maison Lacoste**: Continuing along the shoreline, the captain points out the Chateau des Mineurs and Maison Lacoste, two more notable properties visible only from the water, before the coastline turns rockier and the red cliffs of the Esterel begin. 4. **View the Palais Bulles from the sea**: One of the trip's signature moments is the view of the Palais Bulles, the futuristic bubble-shaped house designed for Pierre Cardin, visible clinging to the cliffside above the water. 5. **First swim stop in an Esterel cove**: The boat noses into one of the Esterel's hidden calanques, coves that larger vessels cannot enter, for the first of two swim stops. Expect turquoise water against dramatic red rock, roughly 20 to 30 minutes at each stop. 6. **Continue to Cap Roux**: The excursion continues along the coast to Cap Roux, one of the most photographed points of the Esterel massif, where the red cliffs meet the sea at their most dramatic. 7. **Second swim stop and return**: A second swim stop follows near Cap Roux before the boat turns back toward Mandelieu-la-Napoule, arriving roughly 2.5 hours after departure. ## FAQs ### Where does the Cannes Esterel boat excursion depart from? This excursion departs from Mandelieu-la-Napoule, a short drive or 10-minute train ride west of central Cannes, not from the Cannes Old Port itself. ### How long does the Esterel boat excursion last? The excursion runs about 2.5 hours, including two swim stops along the Esterel coastline. ### Is snorkeling equipment included on this Cannes boat tour? No, snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to explore beneath the surface during the swim stops. ### How many people are on the Esterel boat excursion? The boat is limited to a maximum of 12 passengers, which keeps the trip more intimate than the larger catamaran cruises. ### What will I see on the Cannes Esterel boat tour? You will pass the Chateau de la Napoule, view the Palais Bulles from the water, and cruise along the Esterel's red volcanic cliffs to Cap Roux, with two swim stops in hidden coves along the way. ### Is food included on the Esterel boat excursion? No, onboard catering is not included. Bottled water is provided, but bring your own snacks if you want food during the trip.