The best part of this private charter is the freedom to shape the day around your group. You can cruise past the yachts in St Tropez, stop for a swim at Graniers, use the paddleboards and snorkels, or spend more time on fast water sports. Captain Sirio has also hosted families with six passengers, fitting waterskiing, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and tubing into one full outing.

I like the private group format, since you are not waiting for strangers or following a rigid boat schedule. I also like that the sports gear is included, from buoyancy aids and snorkels to wakeboards, waterskis, and inflatable towables. The main catch is the fuel cost: a €150 deposit is collected before departure, and high-speed sports can use about €40 of fuel per hour.

Key points to know before booking

• You control the pace: Ask the captain to recommend favorite spots or build the day around your own plans.
• Water sports cost nothing extra: Paddleboards, waterskis, wakeboards, tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids are included.
• The boat is private for up to six: The $145 price is for the group, not each person.
• Marines de Cogolin is the standard port: Pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud costs an additional €50.
• Fuel is separate: Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while towing sports can use around €40 per hour.
• The route mixes glamour and swimming: You get St Tropez harbor, Graniers, Canoubiers, and Port Grimaud in one outing.

Why this six-hour charter works so well

A private boat is a smart way to see St Tropez Bay if your group wants more than a short sightseeing cruise. The water gives you a different view of the coast, and the captain can shift the plan to match your mood. You might spend a calm morning moving between bays, or turn the day into a floating sports session with short sightseeing stops.

The advertised duration is about six hours. The listed stops account for roughly three and a half hours, leaving useful time for cruising, anchoring, changing activities, and moving between locations. That matters because water sports take time. Getting people fitted with equipment, making several attempts at waterskiing, and taking turns on an inflatable tube can quickly fill the day.

You can bring your own food and drinks, then place them in the boat’s coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are provided. This is a practical touch, especially for a group of six, since buying every drink and snack at beach restaurants can push up the cost.

The outing begins and ends at Marines de Cogolin at no extra charge. If you prefer to leave from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud, the collection charge is €50. Confirm that choice when booking rather than assuming the boat will meet you at whichever port is most convenient.

St Tropez harbor and the first look at the coast

The first stop is Port de Saint Tropez, where you have about 30 minutes to take in the harbor. From the water, you see the famous quayside, luxury yachts, and bars that helped make St Tropez a major name on the French Riviera.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you the polished, high-profile side of the area before the boat moves toward quieter water. The harbor is free to visit, and you can use the time for photos and a quick look at the waterfront.

I would not expect a long town visit here. Thirty minutes is enough for a harbor view but not enough for a serious walk through St Tropez or a relaxed drink. If your main goal is the town itself, plan a separate visit on another day. On this charter, the port is more of a scenic introduction than the main event.

Swimming and snorkeling at Plage des Graniers

The boat then heads into the bay near Plage des Graniers. This is where the charter begins to feel less like sightseeing and more like a personal day on the water. You can anchor for a swim or snorkel, and the boat carries the equipment needed for both.

The captain can also arrange access to the beachside restaurant. A tender boat can collect you from the charter and take you to the beach bar, or a table can be booked if you want to stop for a meal. Food is not included, so treat this as an optional break rather than part of the base price.

For most groups, this is a useful point to slow down. After the harbor, you can get in the water, test the snorkels, and decide how active you want the rest of the day to be. If you have mixed ages or different fitness levels, a sheltered swim stop gives less confident swimmers something enjoyable to do while others try the sports equipment.

You should still expect a moderate level of physical activity overall. The charter includes buoyancy aids, but you need to be comfortable taking part in water-based activities and getting in and out of the boat. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you personally need for a long period outdoors.

Canoubiers Bay, known as Millionaires Bay

The next stop is Baie de Canebiers, also called Millionaires Bay. The boat moors here for another hour, giving you time to swim, snorkel, or paddleboard around the boat.

The attraction is the setting. This is a chance to enjoy the coast at water level, away from the immediate noise of the main harbor. You also see the home of one of St Tropez’s most famous residents, adding a little celebrity context without turning the stop into a formal sightseeing tour.

I like this stop because it gives you options rather than a single scheduled activity. One person can paddleboard, another can snorkel, and someone else can simply swim or stay aboard with a drink. That flexibility is the main value of hiring a private boat.

The limitation is that the time passes quickly if your group has several people sharing equipment. If six passengers all want to waterski, paddleboard, and snorkel, you will need to take turns. Tell the captain early which activities matter most to you. That way, the day can be planned around the sports your group actually wants instead of trying to do everything for a few minutes.

Port Grimaud, the Little Venice of France

Port Grimaud is the final named stop, with about an hour to visit its canals and explore on foot. The village is often called the Little Venice of France, a description based on its waterways and boat-friendly layout.

This stop gives the day a change of pace. After swimming and water sports, you can get off the boat for an ice cream, beer, lunch, or a short walk. It is also useful for anyone in your group who wants a break from physical activity.

The one-hour visit is enough for a taste, not a full exploration. You might find that the canals and waterfront are more enjoyable as a short stop than as a major destination. If your group is focused on sports, you may prefer to shorten the visit and return to the water. If you want a relaxed meal, allow for the fact that an hour can disappear quickly once you are seated.

Because the route is customizable, Port Grimaud does not have to be treated as a fixed final stop. Discuss the order and length of each visit with the captain. A private charter is at its best when you use the schedule to suit your group rather than simply ticking off every location.

The water sports included in the price

The included equipment is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. You can borrow:

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

The equipment turns a sightseeing trip into an active day. A family can combine easy activities, such as swimming and paddleboarding, with more demanding options like waterskiing or wakeboarding. One review described a family of six fitting waterskiing, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and tubing into the same outing.

Another group went rafting, waterskiing, and paddleboarding. The exact mix depends on your group, the available time, and the conditions on the day. You should not assume that everyone will get unlimited turns at every activity, especially with six people aboard.

The towable tube is a good choice if your group wants excitement without the learning curve of wakeboarding. Waterskiing and wakeboarding require more balance and practice. If you have beginners, ask the captain to organize the sports so that people can start with a manageable activity before trying the faster options.

The boat provides buoyancy aids, but you remain responsible for knowing your own limits. The experience is aimed at people with moderate physical fitness, not at those seeking a purely passive cruise.

A closer look at the captain and private service

The captain is central to this experience because the route is not completely fixed. A good captain needs to balance sightseeing, fuel use, water conditions, equipment, and the wishes of up to six people.

Captain Sirio is specifically named as a host for family outings. He is described as an experienced, friendly guide who helped make one group’s day memorable. That personal role matters more here than on a standard harbor cruise, since you will spend hours asking for suggestions, changing activities, and deciding where to stop.

The private format also makes the day easier for groups with different interests. You are not asking a full boat of strangers to wait while someone tries waterskiing. You can stop for a swim without following a public-cruise timetable, and you can ask for more time in a bay if everyone is enjoying it.

The tradeoff is that the captain’s recommendations shape part of your day. If you have researched specific coves, restaurants, or ports, bring those ideas along. If not, ask for local suggestions. The charter works for both styles, but you should communicate your priorities at the start.

What the fuel charge means for the real cost

The headline price is $145 for a private group of up to six passengers, which can be excellent value when divided among a full group. At six people, the base cost works out to roughly $24 per person before fuel and any optional port pickup. For a couple, the per-person price is much higher, but you also gain a fully private boat and a flexible schedule.

Fuel is not included. The operator takes a €150 fuel deposit before departure, then returns the unused portion after the trip. If the boat uses more than the deposit, the difference is invoiced at the end.

The stated fuel guide helps you plan:

• Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour.
• High speeds and towing sports use about €40 per hour.
• Stopping in bays uses no fuel.

This is not an obscure extra charge. It is a real part of the budget, especially if your group wants long sessions of waterskiing, wakeboarding, or tubing. If you mainly cruise, stop in bays, and swim, your fuel use should be lower. Ask for a rough estimate before departure if your budget is tight.

Food and drinks are also extra. You can avoid unnecessary spending by bringing your own supplies for the coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are already provided, so you do not need to arrange those basics.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this charter to a group that values privacy, movement, and choice. It suits families, friends, and mixed-age groups who want to combine the glamour of St Tropez with actual time in the water.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want a private boat rather than a shared cruise.
• Your group enjoys swimming and water sports.
• You want to stop at more than one bay.
• You are happy to bring your own food and manage extra fuel costs.
• You want the captain to adjust the day to your interests.
• You have up to six people who can share the cost.

It is less suitable if you want a cheap, quiet sightseeing trip with no extra charges. It may also disappoint you if your main aim is spending several hours walking through St Tropez or Port Grimaud. The boat can show you both places, but most of the day is designed for being on the water.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Should you book the Marines de Cogolin charter?

Book it if you want the freedom to mix St Tropez scenery with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and fast tow sports. The strongest value comes when five or six people share the base price and agree on an active day.

Before booking, decide where you want to depart, ask how the captain would divide the six hours, and set a fuel budget for your preferred activities. Bring lunch and drinks for the coolbox, then treat the beach restaurants and Port Grimaud stop as optional extras.

I would choose this charter over a standard cruise for a group that wants to make its own day. I would skip it for a short, low-cost harbor visit or a completely hands-off outing. The added fuel charge needs attention, but the private boat, included sports gear, and captain-led flexibility make it a strong choice for an active day in St Tropez Bay.

FAQ

Where does the boat depart from?

The normal departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin.

Can I depart from St Tropez?

Yes. Pickup from St Tropez is available for an additional €50. You need to request it when booking.

Can I depart from St Maxime or Port Grimaud?

Yes. Collection from St Maxime or Port Grimaud also costs €50, and you should state your preferred port when booking.

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

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

Is water sports equipment included?

Yes. The charter includes wakeboards, waterskis, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids.

Is fuel included?

No. A €150 fuel deposit is collected before the trip. Unused money is returned, and any extra fuel cost is invoiced afterward.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your own food and drinks for the boat’s coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.