A boat trip to the Lérins Islands brings a different rhythm to a Cannes holiday: woodland paths, shoreline walks and time away from the town. The first decision is which island suits your day.
Sainte-Marguerite or Saint-Honorat?
Sainte-Marguerite
Choose the larger island for woodland walks, coves and Fort Royal. It works well for a day combining a gentle exploration with a picnic; check opening arrangements if the fort or museum is central to your plans.
Allow: half to a full day including the boat, depending on how far you want to walk.
Saint-Honorat
Choose Saint-Honorat for monastic heritage, shoreline paths and a quieter pace. Respect the religious setting, signs and areas reserved for the community. Check access before planning a particular building visit.
Allow: a relaxed half day, or longer with a booked lunch.
For island background and visitor arrangements, see the official Lérins Islands guide.
Book the correct boat
Services leave from Cannes, but operators, islands and departure points are not interchangeable. Check the destination printed on your ticket, the boarding location, check-in requirements and how the return journey works.
- Choose your island before buying tickets.
- Check the actual timetable for your travel date, including the last return.
- Allow enough time to walk back to the landing stage and board.
- Do not assume a ticket allows island-hopping or travel with another operator.
- Recheck service information when wind or sea conditions change.
Find operators through Cannes’ official boat-trip information. For Saint-Honorat, consult the island ferry booking information.
A simple island day
Arrive in the morning and start with a walk while everyone is fresh. Choose one main interest—a heritage visit, a shoreline walk or time beside the water—then allow a long lunch break. Turn back with a generous margin for the boat rather than measuring the day by how much ground you cover.
Food and budget: add return boat tickets, any paid entry and lunch to your budget. Take a picnic or confirm a restaurant booking and opening before you travel; do not rely on finding exactly what you want on arrival.
Swimming: coves and shore access vary, with rocky or uneven areas. Choose a place suited to your group and the conditions, and do not assume lifeguard cover. The tourist office’s island swimming guide helps you compare locations.
What to take—and when to choose another day
- Water, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and a charged phone.
- A towel and suitable footwear if swimming is part of the plan.
- A bag to bring your rubbish back to the mainland.
- Your ticket and a saved copy of the return arrangements.
Ask the operator about boarding access and check paths with the destination if travelling with a wheelchair or pushchair. In poor conditions, swap to a day in Cannes; for an easier short swim, choose a mainland beach.
Prepared for Cannes Holiday Apartments using official visitor and transport information. Sources checked 24 September 2026. Opening times, fares and services can change; use the linked official sources for your travel date.