Private Boat Charter including Water Sports in Bay of St Tropez

The best part of this private boat charter is the freedom to shape the day. You can cruise past the port, stop for a swim in a quiet bay, try waterskiing, or ask Captain Sirio to point you toward a favorite spot. It feels less like a fixed sightseeing ride and more like having a boat and local captain at your disposal.

I especially like the private group format, which lets up to six people share the boat and set the pace. I also like the wide choice of included water sports, from paddleboarding and snorkeling to wakeboarding and inflatable tubes. The main thing to watch is the fuel charge. The advertised price is not the complete cost if you use the boat hard or arrange pickup away from Cogolin.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: Your group has the boat to itself, with no strangers shaping the schedule.
• Captain Sirio can guide the route: You may plan your own stops or ask for local suggestions.
• Water sports are included: Use paddleboards, snorkels, waterskis, wakeboards, towable tubes, and buoyancy aids.
• Four main coastal stops: See St. Tropez harbor, Graniers, Canoubiers, and Port Grimaud.
• Fuel is charged separately: Expect a €150 fuel deposit, with the unused amount returned after the trip.
• Best for active groups: You need a moderate level of fitness, and good weather is required.

A private boat day built around your group

This six-hour experience begins at Marines de Cogolin, a practical departure point near St. Tropez. You can also arrange pickup at St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud for an extra €50.

The boat is private for your group of up to six people. That matters here. A water-sports day works better when one person can swim while another tries a wakeboard, and nobody has to wait for a large group to follow a rigid schedule.

The advertised price is $145 per group, not per person, according to the supplied tour details. That can be strong value for six people, but you need to add the fuel deposit and any optional port pickup. Food and drinks are also your responsibility.

You get a coolbox, ice, water, and glasses. Bring your own lunch, snacks, and drinks, then keep them chilled on board. This is a simple arrangement, but it gives you more control than paying for a set meal or stopping at a restaurant during the day.

The experience is described as about six hours, with roughly four hours spent on the water. The remaining time allows for meeting up, moving between areas, and getting on and off the boat. If you want a full day of continuous skiing or tubing, ask how the operating time will be divided before you set off.

Leaving Marines de Cogolin for St. Tropez Bay

Marines de Cogolin is the normal home port. If you are staying in Cogolin, this avoids the extra collection fee. If you are based in St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud, the €50 pickup option may be worthwhile, especially if you do not want to arrange your own way to Cogolin.

The captain is an important part of this outing. Captain Sirio is named as the host for the family groups who enjoyed waterskiing, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and tubing. The strongest praise centers on his friendly manner and his ability to keep a family of six involved in different activities.

You can arrive with your own plan. Perhaps you care most about swimming and seeing the coast from the water. Perhaps your group wants to spend the day trying several sports. You can also ask the captain to recommend local places, which is useful if you do not know the bay.

The exact order of stops can change. That is a strength, not a flaw, as long as you communicate clearly. Tell the captain if your priority is a relaxed day, a sports-heavy day, or a mix of sightseeing and swimming.

Port of St. Tropez and the superyacht view

The first stop takes you into the Port of St. Tropez for about 30 minutes. From the boat, you can look toward the superyachts and the famous bars along the quayside.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you the classic St. Tropez view without requiring a long walk through town. You see the waterfront from its natural setting, with the harbor activity and boats providing the spectacle.

The limitation is time. Thirty minutes is enough for a look and some photographs, but not enough for a proper visit to the town. If you want cafés, shops, or time on the quays, tell the captain early. A private charter can be adjusted, but every extra hour in port means less time for swimming or water sports.

I would treat this stop as a short orientation rather than the main event. The real value of the boat comes once you leave the harbor and reach the open bay.

Graniers for swimming, snorkeling, or lunch ashore

The boat then heads toward Plage des Graniers, where you can anchor for about an hour. This is the first major chance to get into the water, so it works well as a change from sightseeing.

You can swim, snorkel, or simply relax near the boat. Snorkels and buoyancy aids are supplied, which means you do not need to pack a full set of equipment. The water-sports setup is especially useful for a group with mixed confidence levels, since one person can paddle while another stays close to the boat with a flotation aid.

There is also an option to wave to a tender boat serving the beachside restaurant. That tender can collect you and take you to the beach bar, and a table can be booked at the restaurant if you want to eat there.

This choice gives you flexibility, but it also adds a decision to the day. A restaurant stop can be pleasant, yet it uses time that could otherwise go toward water activities. If you prefer to keep the boat moving, bring your own food and use the coolbox. If lunch in a beach setting is part of your idea of a good day, ask about the restaurant option when booking.

Canoubiers, known as Millionaires Bay

The next stop is Baie de Canebiers, also called Millionaires Bay, near Plage des Canoubiers. The boat can moor here for about an hour.

This is the strongest stop for combining scenery and water sports. You can swim around the boat, snorkel, or use a stand-up paddleboard. The bay is also associated with one of St. Tropez’s famous residents, adding a bit of local character to the view.

The supplied water equipment includes more than basic snorkeling gear. You can use wakeboards, waterskis, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable towables, and buoyancy aids at no extra equipment cost. That range lets you turn the stop into a calm family swim or a lively sports session.

Be realistic about fuel here. Gentle cruising costs about €15 per hour according to the supplied guidance, while high speeds and towable sports use about €40 per hour. Stopping in the bays uses no fuel, but wakeboarding, waterskiing, and tubing can raise the final charge quickly.

That fuel system is reasonable, but it needs attention. A €150 deposit is taken before the trip. If the boat uses less fuel, the difference is returned after the outing. If the fuel cost exceeds the deposit, the remaining amount is invoiced afterward.

Port Grimaud and the canals of Little Venice

The final listed stop is Port Grimaud, a canal village often called the Little Venice of France. The boat can take you through the picturesque waterways, then you can get off and explore on foot.

This stop changes the mood of the day. After swimming and sports, you get a chance to stretch your legs and see the waterfront from land. You can stop for lunch, an ice cream, or a beer, though food and drinks are not included.

Port Grimaud is worth keeping in the plan if your group wants variety. It gives non-swimmers something to enjoy and prevents the whole day from feeling like one long session on the water. It also offers a practical place for a break if children or less active members of your group need time away from the boat.

The tradeoff is simple. Port Grimaud takes you away from the water sports for about an hour. If your group has set its heart on skiing and tubing, you may prefer a shorter stop. If you want a rounded day with scenery, canals, food, and swimming, keep it in the schedule.

Water sports for beginners and mixed-age groups

The equipment list is the main reason to choose this charter instead of a basic sightseeing cruise. You can try paddleboarding, snorkeling, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and inflatable towables without paying a separate rental fee for each item.

The two supplied family accounts describe a particularly active day, with waterskiing, rafting or tubing, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and sightseeing all fitting into the outing. That tells you something useful about the format: the boat can handle a group that wants to keep changing activities.

Still, included equipment does not mean every sport will suit every person. The activity calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. Wakeboarding, waterskiing, and towable tubes require more effort than sitting on a paddleboard or swimming near the boat.

If your group includes beginners, tell the captain what each person wants to try. A good plan might begin with snorkeling or paddleboarding, then move to towable sports for those who want more speed. The private setup makes that easier than a shared boat with a fixed program.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. The supplied information does not list a full packing list, but your own food and drinks are specifically required if you want them during the day.

The true cost: $145 plus fuel and extras

At $145 for a private group of up to six, the base price can be attractive. Split six ways, it is far less than paying for six separate private activities. You also receive use of the water-sports equipment, which improves the value.

The price needs a careful reading. Fuel is separate, with a €150 deposit taken before departure. The final fuel cost depends on how much fast cruising and towing you do. A relaxed day with long stops in bays should use less fuel than a sports-heavy day built around wakeboarding and inflatables.

There is also a €50 charge for pickup from St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud. Departure from Marines de Cogolin has no collection fee. Food and drinks are not included, but the boat provides ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox.

I would budget for the fuel rather than treating it as a surprise. Ask for a rough estimate based on your preferred activities. If the group mainly wants swimming and sightseeing, your fuel use should differ from a group planning repeated high-speed towing.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a strong choice for a family or friend group that wants control over the day. Six people is the maximum, and that number works well when everyone knows one another and can agree on the pace.

It also suits active visitors who want more than a harbor cruise. The equipment gives you a chance to try several sports in one outing, while the captain can help organize the route around your interests.

It is less suitable if you want a cheap, fixed-cost boat ride with no decisions. The fuel deposit and possible final invoice require some planning. It may also disappoint anyone expecting several hours of nonstop skiing, since the experience includes sightseeing, swimming, a possible shore visit, and about four hours on the water within a six-hour outing.

People who dislike boats or water sports should also think carefully. The activity requires moderate fitness, and the day is built around being on or near the water.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so there is no need to print anything. The meeting point is near public transportation at Marines de Cogolin, with paid pickup available from the three nearby ports named above.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Confirm your departure port when booking. Also clarify the fuel estimate if you want to use the towable sports heavily. Those two small steps will make the cost and timing easier to manage.

Should you book this St. Tropez boat day?

Book it if you want a private, active day and your group can agree on how to spend it. The combination of Captain Sirio, four main coastal areas, flexible timing, and included water sports gives you much more control than a standard sightseeing cruise.

The best value comes with four to six people who plan to swim, paddle, snorkel, or try towing sports. Keep your food in the coolbox, decide how much time you want in Port Grimaud, and budget for fuel.

Skip it if you need a firm all-inclusive price, a fully land-based day, or a guaranteed schedule with no changes. For the right group, though, this is a practical way to see St. Tropez Bay from the water while mixing famous waterfront views with genuine time to play.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter depart from?

The normal departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin.

Can I be picked up in St. Tropez?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from St. Tropez, St. Maxime, or Port Grimaud for an additional €50.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers a private group of up to six passengers.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, with about four hours spent on the water.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €150 fuel deposit is taken before the trip. Any unused amount is returned after the outing, while any shortfall is invoiced afterward.

How much fuel might the boat use?

Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while high speeds and towable sports use about €40 per hour. Stopping in bays uses no fuel.

What water-sports equipment is included?

You can use wakeboards, waterskis, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids at no extra equipment charge.

Are food and drinks included?

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

Do I need to choose the route in advance?

No. You can plan your own places to visit or ask the captain to recommend local favorites.

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. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.