Why Charter a Yacht in Cannes?
Cannes is synonymous with glamour, cinema and the Mediterranean high life. Home to the world's most famous film festival and the largest in-water boat show in Europe — the Cannes Yachting Festival — the city has long been a magnet for those who appreciate style, sophistication and the pleasures of the sea. A yacht charter in Cannes places you at the epicentre of Riviera social life while offering instant access to some of the most beautiful anchorages and islands in the entire Mediterranean.
The iconic Croisette boulevard, lined with luxury hotels and designer boutiques, is at its most magical viewed from the water, particularly at dusk when the lights of the Palais des Festivals reflect across the bay. Chartering with The WOY means you enjoy all of this with the added privacy, comfort and freedom that only a private yacht can provide.
Port de Cannes and the Cannes Marinas
Cannes is served by several excellent marinas. The Old Port — Vieux-Port de Cannes — sits directly in front of the Palais des Festivals and is the most central, surrounded by waterfront restaurants and the morning fish market at the Forville. Port Pierre Canto, at the eastern end of the Croisette, caters to larger yachts and is favoured for its tranquillity and proximity to the Cap d'Antibes road. Port Mouré Rouge, further east, offers additional berths and excellent facilities. During the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Yachting Festival in September, berth availability is limited and should be planned well in advance — The WOY manages this process for all charter clients.
Best Time to Charter in Cannes
Cannes is at its most vibrant during the Film Festival in mid-May, when the bay fills with superyachts and the city is alive with screenings, parties and celebrity arrivals. Chartering a yacht during this period is an extraordinary experience, though it requires early planning. The summer months of June through August offer the warmest weather, with sea temperatures reaching 26°C and consistently calm conditions. The Cannes Yachting Festival in September marks the close of the high season and is a wonderful time to charter — the crowds thin, the light turns golden and the sea retains its warmth from the summer months.
What to See and Do
From your charter yacht in Cannes, the Iles de Lérins are a short 15-minute ride by tender. Ile Sainte-Marguerite is famous as the site of the Fort Royal, where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned, and its pine forests and transparent lagoons make it ideal for a half-day excursion. The smaller Ile Saint-Honorat has been home to a Cistercian monastery since the 5th century and produces its own wine, available to visitors — a perfect reason for a longer stop.
Back in Cannes, the Marché Forville supplies some of the finest produce on the Riviera, while the narrow streets of Le Suquet — the old hilltop quarter — reward exploration with panoramic views over the bay. The Croisette itself, with its grand palace hotels and beach clubs, provides endless opportunities for people-watching and fine dining. At night, the casino at the Carlton InterContinental and the clubs of the Palais des Festivals complete the Cannes experience.
Nearby Destinations and Cruising Routes
Cannes is ideally positioned for exploring both directions along the coast. To the west, the Estérel massif — with its dramatic red cliffs dropping into the sea — leads to Saint-Raphaël, Fréjus and eventually Saint-Tropez. To the east, Juan-les-Pins and its summer jazz festival, Antibes with its magnificent old port and Cap d'Antibes with its secluded private villas, lead through to Nice and Monaco. The bay of Golfe-Juan, just between Cannes and Antibes, provides sheltered anchorage within easy reach of both towns and was historically where Napoleon landed on his return from Elba in 1815.
The WOY's Expertise in Cannes
The WOY has extensive experience arranging yacht charters based in and around Cannes, including bespoke programmes for the Film Festival, the Yachting Festival and private family summer holidays. Our local knowledge covers everything from the best anchorages in the Iles de Lérins to the most reliable berth agents in the Vieux-Port, and our relationships with top captains and crew mean we can often secure charter yachts that are not widely marketed.
We are happy to arrange provisioning with produce from the Forville market, book restaurants on the Croisette for your group, organise water toys and diving equipment, and create a full concierge programme tailored to your interests. Our goal is to make your Cannes charter effortless and unforgettable.