Private Boat Charter in the Bay of St Tropez

The best part of this outing is the freedom to shape the day. You can cruise past St Tropez, stop to swim in Millionaires Bay, try a paddleboard, or ask for a faster ride with a towable tube. Matt and Sirio are the skippers most often singled out for being attentive, flexible, and good with families.

I especially like the private boat for up to six and the generous supply of water-sports gear. You are not locked into a fixed group schedule, and the skipper can adjust the pace to suit swimmers, children, or people who simply want to sit back with a drink. The main catch is the fuel charge, which is separate from the advertised group price and rises when you use high-speed sports equipment.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat, shared only with your group: Bring up to six people and set the pace with your skipper.
• Four hours on the Bay of St Tropez: The route can include St Tropez harbor, Plage des Graniers, Canoubiers, and Port Grimaud.
• Water sports are included: Paddleboards, snorkels, wakeboards, waterskis, towable inflatables, and buoyancy aids are available.
• Marines de Cogolin is the standard port: Pickup at St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud costs an extra €50.
• Fuel is charged separately: A €100 deposit is collected before departure, with the final cost based on actual use.
• Bring your own food and drinks: Ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox are provided.

Why this private charter works so well

A boat tour around St Tropez can easily become a parade of fixed stops and strangers. This one is more useful if your group has mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay on deck with a cold drink.

The skipper handles the boat, so you get the pleasure of moving around the bay without having to rent a boat or manage navigation. That matters in an area with busy ports, changing conditions, and several tempting places to stop.

The boat holds up to six people, and the price is listed per group rather than per seat. At $300.72 for the group, the base price works out to about $50 per person if six people share it. Even with a smaller group, the private format may be better value than paying individual fares for a standard sightseeing cruise, especially if you plan to use the sports equipment.

You should budget beyond the headline price. Food and drinks are not included, and fuel is settled separately. Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, according to the operator, while high speeds and activities such as wakeboarding or towing an inflatable can use about €45 per hour. The €100 fuel deposit is only an advance payment. If less fuel is used, the difference is returned. If more is needed, the balance is invoiced afterward.

That arrangement is fair, but you need to understand it before you go. If your goal is a calm half-day cruise with a few stops, fuel costs should be modest. If your group wants repeated fast runs on the wakeboard or tube, expect the final total to be higher.

Leaving from Marines de Cogolin

The normal departure point is Marines de Cogolin. This is the simplest option and avoids the extra €50 pickup charge. If you would rather start from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud, the operator can collect you there for an added fee.

That flexibility is useful if you are already spending the day in one of those ports. It is less useful if you are trying to keep the cost down. Tell the operator your preferred departure port when booking, since the meeting point affects both the price and the day’s timing.

The booking comes with a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The experience is offered as a private activity, so only your own group shares the boat.

St Tropez harbor and the first look at the bay

The route can begin with about 30 minutes at Port de Saint Tropez. From the water, you get a different view of the town’s famous harbor, including the large yachts and the waterfront bars along the quayside.

This stop is more about atmosphere and sightseeing than swimming. It gives you a quick look at the glamorous side of St Tropez without requiring you to fight through the town’s narrow streets or find a place to park. You may want to keep your phone ready for harbor photos, but remember that the boat’s main pleasure comes later, once you leave the port behind.

The skipper can also add context about the area. Sirio and Matt are both praised for explaining the places along the route and giving the outing a sense of place rather than simply driving from one stop to the next.

A swim at Plage des Graniers

The next possible stop is Plage des Graniers, where the boat anchors for roughly 30 minutes. This is a good early break if your group wants to get in the water before settling into a longer cruise.

You can snorkel or swim from the boat. There is also an option to use the tender boat to reach the beach bar. If you want lunch at Les Graniers restaurant, the operator can arrange a reservation, but lunch itself is not included.

This stop gives you a choice between staying on the water and going ashore. That is one reason the private format helps. A group that wants a quick swim does not have to spend an hour at the beach, while a group interested in lunch can make more of the stop.

Keep your own schedule in mind. Four hours sounds generous, but time spent at lunch or walking ashore leaves less time for water sports and the other stops. If swimming and paddleboarding matter most to you, tell the skipper early.

Canoubiers and Millionaires Bay

Plage des Canoubiers, also called Baie des Canebiers or Millionaires Bay, is likely to be the main water stop. The planned time here is about one hour, giving you room to swim, snorkel, or paddleboard around the boat.

I like this part of the outing because it is not just a quick photo stop. You have time to choose your own activity and change your mind. Start with a swim, try a stand-up paddleboard, then relax on board while the rest of your group has a turn.

Snorkeling equipment and buoyancy aids are supplied. The water sports selection also includes wakeboards, waterskis, and inflatable towables. Families can keep the activity gentle, while more energetic groups can ask for a faster ride.

Several family outings have used this flexibility well. Children have tried paddleboards, snorkeling, and a donut-style towable ride, while adults have taken time to cruise and enjoy the view. For younger children, buoyancy aids are available, but you remain responsible for choosing activities suitable for your group.

Water conditions and weather can affect what is practical. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund. Even on a usable day, the skipper may adjust the plan for comfort and safety.

Port Grimaud, France’s little canal town

The final listed stop is Port Grimaud, often called the Little Venice of France. The boat enters the picturesque canal area, and you can get off to explore the village.

This adds variety to the trip. After several hours of open water, swimming, and sports, you have the chance to walk around, stop for an ice cream, or sit down with a beer. You can also arrange lunch here, although food and drinks remain your own expense.

Port Grimaud is especially handy for groups that do not want four straight hours of activity. Some people can explore the canals while others take a break. The planned stop is about one hour, but the exact balance depends on your chosen route and how much time you spend at the earlier bays.

The spelling of the town may appear as Port Grimaud or Port Grimuad in booking material, but it refers to the same canal village.

The equipment makes the price more useful

The included equipment is a major reason this charter can offer good value. You do not have to rent a separate paddleboard or pay for every short water activity. The boat carries:

• Stand-up paddleboards
• Snorkels
• Wakeboards
• Waterskis
• Inflatable towables and tubes
• Buoyancy aids

The range suits a mixed group. A couple may want to lie back and cruise, while a family may want an active afternoon. One family outing used the towable tube as the children’s favorite part of the day, while another group combined snorkeling, paddleboarding, waterskiing, and a towed ride.

Fuel use is the tradeoff. Cruising slowly and stopping in bays keeps costs down. Towing equipment at speed uses more fuel, so ask the skipper for a rough estimate if you want several high-speed activities. You can make a clear choice instead of being surprised later.

Bring your own food and drinks. The boat supplies ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox, which is enough to make a simple picnic easy. You may also arrange a restaurant stop at Les Graniers or Port Grimaud, but those purchases are separate.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this charter for a family, a group of friends, or a couple that wants more room and control than a standard cruise provides. It is also a strong pick for groups with different energy levels. The private boat lets active people use the equipment while others relax.

It suits you particularly well if you want to combine several parts of the bay in one outing: harbor views, a beach stop, a swim, water sports, and a canal village. The skippers can also provide local explanations, including details about St Tropez and the places along the route.

This is less suited to someone who wants a fully formal sightseeing tour with a set narration and no extra charges. The schedule is flexible, and that is the point, but you need to communicate what you want. The fuel surcharge also makes it less predictable than an all-inclusive cruise.

The boat is described as tidy and comfortable, with enough space for two people to stretch out easily. With six passengers, space will naturally feel tighter, especially when equipment is on board. If your group reaches the maximum size, pack lightly and agree on your priorities before departure.

Practical details that affect your day

Plan on about four hours, though the listed stops account for only part of that time. The remaining time covers cruising between locations, getting equipment ready, and adjusting the route to suit your group.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. The supplied information does not give a specific boat-access arrangement, so contact the operator if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

The experience is weather dependent. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The tour is often booked about 27 days ahead. That is a useful planning guide for a summer visit, especially if you need a certain date or want one of the pickup ports. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the mobile ticket makes the meeting details easy to keep on your phone.

Should you book this Bay of St Tropez charter?

Book it if you want a private, active half-day on the water and your group values choice. The combination of swimming, paddleboards, snorkeling, towable sports, St Tropez harbor, and Port Grimaud gives you far more variety than a simple harbor cruise.

I would be especially keen to book for a family or group of six, since the per-group price makes the numbers work best. Ask for a clear fuel estimate, bring your own drinks, and decide whether your priority is relaxed cruising or high-speed sports.

Skip it if you want every cost included upfront or prefer a quiet boat ride with no activity planning. For everyone else, this is a flexible way to see the Bay of St Tropez from the water, with the skipper doing the hard work and your group choosing how the hours unfold.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The private charter is for up to six passengers.

Where does the boat normally depart?

The standard departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin.

Can I depart from St Tropez instead?

Yes. Pickup is available from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud for an extra €50.

Is fuel included in the advertised price?

No. A €100 fuel deposit is collected before the trip, then adjusted according to actual fuel use.

How much fuel might the trip use?

Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour. High speeds and activities such as wakeboarding or towing inflatables use about €45 per hour. Stopping in bays uses no fuel.

Is food included?

No. You should bring your own food and drinks. The boat provides ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox.

What water-sports equipment is available?

The boat provides wakeboards, waterskis, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids at no extra charge.

Can I swim or snorkel during the trip?

Yes. Planned swimming and snorkeling stops include Plage des Graniers and Baie des Canebiers at Plage des Canoubiers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.