Sail to Riviera & Îles d’Hyères

Depart Antibes and head west toward the Îles de Lérins, a small island group just off Cannes. Despite their proximity to the mainland, the islands feel notably removed.

Sainte-Marguerite, the larger island, is known for Fort Royal, where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned in the 17th century. The island’s pine forests and shallow coves create calm swimming conditions and natural shade.

Anchor on the quieter side of the islands, where traffic thins. The contrast between the Riviera’s density and the islands’ restraint becomes immediately apparent.

Evening light reflects softly off the water, and remaining at anchor preserves privacy without sacrificing access.

Cruise west along a coastline shaped by small capes and sandy stretches rather than cliffs. Saint-Tropez developed as a fishing village before its mid-20th-century transformation, and its harbor remains compact and central.

Approach early to avoid congestion. The town’s appeal lies in proportion — narrow streets, modest scale, and a port that keeps everything within walking distance.

Anchor nearby or berth briefly, depending on preference. Saint-Tropez rewards restraint; engaging selectively preserves its charm.

Leave the Riviera behind and head west toward Porquerolles, the largest of the Îles d’Hyères. The island is a protected national park, with strict limits on development and vehicle use.

Porquerolles was fortified in the 19th century, and remnants of military structures remain visible along the coastline. The island’s geology produces shallow bays and sandy beaches, rare along this part of the coast.

Anchor off the northern shore for the best protection. Swimming here is calm, and the water clarity benefits from limited boat traffic.

The atmosphere shifts noticeably — quieter, greener, and more inward-facing.

A short cruise brings you to Port-Cros, the most protected and least developed of the Îles d’Hyères. As France’s first national marine park, both land and sea are closely regulated.

The island rises steeply from the water, creating deep anchorages and exceptional visibility. Fish populations are noticeably dense, and swimming here feels immersive.

Port-Cros is intentionally restrained. There are no beaches in the conventional sense, only rocky inlets and ladders into the sea. The experience is about immersion rather than access.

Remain overnight if conditions allow. Evenings are exceptionally quiet.

Cruise east toward the Provençal coast. Bandol is known locally for its vineyards, while Cassis sits beneath the Calanques — limestone inlets carved by erosion.

Approaching the Calanques by sea reveals their scale and geometry more clearly than from land. Anchor where permitted and swim beneath pale stone walls that rise sharply from deep water.

This stretch introduces visual drama without crowds, particularly when approached late in the day.

Begin the return east early. The final leg is kept practical, allowing time for a last swim stop en route before returning to Antibes.

Disembarkation is unhurried, closing the itinerary with the same measured pace that defined it throughout.