Private Boat Charter including Water Sports in Bay of St Tropez

The best part of this private boat charter is the freedom to shape your day. You can cruise past St Tropez, stop for a swim at Plage des Graniers, try wakeboarding or tubing, and spend time in Port Grimaud without sharing the boat with strangers. The boat is yours for the group, and the captain can adjust the pace to suit you.

I like the included water sports and the small maximum group of six. You can move from snorkeling to paddleboarding to a fast towable ride without paying a separate rental fee for each activity. The main thing to watch is the fuel deposit and surcharge. A €150 deposit is collected before departure, and fast towing sports can use fuel quickly.

Key Points Before You Book

• Private boat for up to six people: You get the full boat and can set the rhythm of the day with your captain.
• Water sports are included: Paddleboards, wakeboards, waterskis, towable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids are available at no extra charge.
• Marines de Cogolin is the standard departure point: Pickups from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud cost an extra €50.
• The route mixes famous sights and swimming stops: Expect St Tropez harbor, Plage des Graniers, Baie de Canebiers, and Port Grimaud.
• Fuel is not included: Cruising uses about €15 per hour, while towing activities can use roughly €40 per hour.
• You bring the food and drinks: The boat provides a coolbox with ice, water, and glasses.

A Private Day on St Tropez Bay

This outing works best when you want more than a short sightseeing cruise. You are not simply carried from one viewpoint to the next. You can ask for a scenic ride, spend a long spell swimming, or use the boat as a floating base for water sports.

The boat departs from Marines de Cogolin, a practical marina near the main resorts of the bay. The advertised experience lasts about six hours, while the time described on the water is roughly four hours. The difference likely allows for boarding, movement between stops, and time around the ports, but you should confirm the exact schedule when booking.

The private setup matters. A family can give younger swimmers a quieter start, while a group of friends can spend more time on wakeboarding or the inflatable tube. If one person wants to snorkel and another wants to stay dry, the boat gives you room to split up without losing the group.

The captain is there to run the boat and shape the route. Sirio has hosted departures and is noted for combining sightseeing with activities such as waterskiing, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and tubing. You should not assume a particular captain is guaranteed, but you can ask who will lead your trip.

Leaving From Marines de Cogolin

Marines de Cogolin is the standard meeting point, and there is no added departure fee from this home port. The area is near public transportation, which helps if you are not staying directly in Cogolin.

You can also arrange collection from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud. That convenience costs €50, so compare the fee with the price and time of getting to Marines de Cogolin yourself. Be sure to select your preferred departure port when booking. It is not something to leave vague until the morning of the trip.

Bring your food and drinks. The boat provides ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox, so a packed lunch or simple picnic is easy to manage. If you want to eat at a beach restaurant, tell the captain early so the route can allow for it.

The boat is private, but it is still a working day on the water. You will need a moderate level of physical fitness, especially if you plan to climb back aboard after swimming or try towable sports. Buoyancy aids are available, which is useful for anyone who is less confident in open water.

St Tropez Harbor and Its Superyachts

The first planned stop is Port de Saint Tropez, where you spend about 30 minutes looking along the harbor. This gives you a waterside view of the town, including the large yachts and well-known quayside bars.

Seeing St Tropez from a boat changes the experience. From the water, you can look back at the port without dealing with the same amount of foot traffic along the quay. It is also a good opening stop because you can settle into the boat before the swimming and sports begin.

Half an hour is enough for a look, not a full town visit. If your main goal is shopping, cafés, or walking through St Tropez, this boat trip will not replace time on land. If you have already seen the port, ask the captain to shorten this stop and give you more time in the bays.

The harbor also makes a useful photo stop. Keep your expectations sensible, though. This is a quick look at one of the French Riviera’s best-known ports, not a guided history tour.

Swimming at Plage des Graniers

The boat then heads toward the bay at Plage des Graniers. You can anchor for swimming and snorkeling, or use the tender boat service to reach a beachside restaurant or bar.

This is one of the most flexible parts of the day. You can stay aboard, swim around the boat, or arrange a shore stop for a drink. If you want to eat at the restaurant, the captain can book a table, but you should make that request in advance rather than treating it as an automatic part of the trip.

The beach stop also shows why a private charter can be better than a fixed group cruise. You can decide how long the water break lasts, within the limits of the overall schedule. A group focused on sports may only want a short swim, while a family may prefer an unhurried hour in the bay.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but underwater conditions and visibility can change. The equipment gives you the option to explore around the boat, not a promise of a guided marine-life tour. Bring realistic expectations and enjoy the water for what it is: a refreshing break with a chance to look below the surface.

Baie de Canebiers, Known as Millionaires Bay

The next stop is Baie de Canebiers, also called Millionaires Bay. The boat moors here for about an hour, giving you time to swim, snorkel, or use a paddleboard.

This bay combines scenery with easy access to the included equipment. You can paddle around the boat, take turns on the board, or remain in the water with a buoyancy aid. If you want active fun without the speed of a towable ride, this is likely the most relaxed sports stop.

The bay is also associated with one of St Tropez’s famous residents. The attraction is less about entering private property and more about seeing the setting from the water. Keep the tone respectful and enjoy the view without expecting a celebrity encounter.

An hour can pass quickly if several people want to try different activities. Decide early how you want to share the gear. A group of six may need to take turns, especially if everyone wants to use the paddleboard or try a towable activity later.

Port Grimaud and the Little Venice Comparison

Port Grimaud gives the day a change of pace. Instead of remaining on the open bay, you visit the canal town often called the Little Venice of France. You can leave the boat, walk around, stop for ice cream or a beer, or arrange lunch.

This stop lasts about an hour, so it is best treated as a compact visit rather than a full exploration. The canals and waterfront layout are the main draw. You get a chance to stretch your legs and see a different side of the coast after spending time swimming.

Food is not included, so any lunch or drink here is your own expense. The same goes for the restaurant option at Plage des Graniers. If keeping costs low matters, bring your own meal and use the boat’s coolbox. If you prefer a restaurant stop, tell the captain at the start so the timing is clear.

Port Grimaud is also one of the reasons this works well for mixed groups. Someone who has had enough sun or water sports can enjoy a short walk and a meal, while the rest of the group still gets a varied day rather than six straight hours of boat movement.

Wakeboarding, Waterskiing, and Towable Rides

The equipment package is unusually broad for a private charter. It includes wakeboards, waterskis, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids.

The two customer accounts supplied for this experience describe families and groups combining several activities in one day. One group used rafting-style tubing, waterskiing, and paddleboarding. Another combined waterskiing, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, sightseeing, and tubing. That mix is useful to know because you do not need to choose just one sport when booking.

The captain controls the boat and towing, so follow instructions closely. Water sports require more physical effort than the sightseeing portions, and you may feel the difference after repeated attempts. A moderate fitness level is expected.

The equipment is included, but fuel use is not. Gentle cruising costs about €15 per hour in fuel, while high speeds, heavy loads, wakeboarding, and towable inflatables can use around €40 per hour. Stopping in the bays uses no fuel.

A €150 fuel deposit is taken before the trip. If the final fuel use is lower, the difference is returned after the outing. If fuel use exceeds the deposit, the shortfall is invoiced at the end. This system makes the base price look attractive, but you should budget for fuel based on how active you plan to be.

What the $145 Price Really Means

The listed price is $145 for a private group of up to six people. If six people share the boat, that is a low per-person starting cost for a private half-day style outing. Even with fewer people, the value comes from having control over the route and access to several sports without separate rental charges.

The price does not cover fuel, food, drinks, or certain pickup locations. Those extras do not make the charter poor value, but they do mean you should calculate the likely final cost before booking.

For a relaxed day with stops in the bays, fuel use may be modest. For a group planning repeated wakeboarding and towable rides, fuel can rise quickly. Bring your own food and use the supplied coolbox if you want to keep the day economical.

I would compare this with the cost of booking separate boat time and water-sports rentals. The private format is especially useful for six people with different interests. It is less compelling if you only want a short harbor cruise and no activities.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this for families, couples traveling with friends, and active groups that want both sightseeing and play time. The private boat removes the pressure of matching a large group’s schedule.

It also suits people who have already visited St Tropez on foot and want to see the bay from another angle. Port de Saint Tropez, Baie de Canebiers, Plage des Graniers, and Port Grimaud give you a good spread of coastal scenery without forcing you to spend the whole day in one place.

You should think twice if you dislike open-water activity, want a formal guided tour, or need a tightly fixed schedule. The flexible format is its strength, but it also means the exact balance between cruising, swimming, sports, and shore stops depends on your group and the captain.

Good weather is required. If conditions cancel the outing, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. For cancellations by you, the full amount is refunded if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, refunds are not available and changes are not accepted.

My Booking Advice

Ask three questions before you pay: Which port will you leave from, how much water-sports time do you want, and do you want a restaurant stop? Also ask about the captain assigned to your date if having Sirio matters to you.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and food or drinks for the coolbox. Keep the schedule flexible, since a long sports session may reduce time at Port Grimaud or another stop.

I would book this private charter if you want an active day and have a group large enough to share the cost. The combination of a private boat, included equipment, and four main points around the bay gives you more control than a standard cruise. I would skip it if your priority is simply a short, low-cost ride with no fuel uncertainty.

FAQ

How long does the private boat charter last?

The experience is advertised at about six hours. The description also identifies roughly four hours on the water, with time spent cruising and stopping at the listed locations.

Where does the boat depart?

The normal departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin. Collection from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud is available for an additional €50.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers a private group of up to six passengers. Only your group participates in the activity.

What water-sports equipment is included?

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

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €150 fuel deposit is collected before the trip. Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while high speeds and towable sports can use about €40 per hour. Any unused deposit is returned, and any shortfall is invoiced.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You should bring your own food and drinks. The boat provides a coolbox, ice, water, and glasses.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.