Four hours on St Tropez waters, on your terms. I like the private charter setup because you steer the day, not a fixed schedule, and the skipper handles the boating. The one thing to watch is the fuel deposit and possible extra pickup fee if you do not start from Marines de Cogolin.

What really sells this outing is the included water time gear. You get paddleboards, snorkels, tubes, and more, so you can switch from cruising to active play without paying for rentals again.

Key things I’d plan around first

• Private charter for up to six with a skipper, so you can relax and still cover multiple stops.
• Water sports kit included: wakeboards, waterskis, stand up paddleboards, inflatable towables, snorkels, and buoyancy aids.
• Pick up options for a fee at St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud, or free departure from Marines de Cogolin.
• Swim and snorkel windows in anchored bays plus port time for wandering and photos.
• Bring your own food and drinks for the coolbox, with ice, water, and glasses provided.
• Fuel used affects the final charge. Fast, tow-heavy fun costs more than gentle cruising.

St Tropez Bay by private boat: what you gain in real time

St Tropez is packed with eyes-on-you glamour from the dock, but on the water you get something better: options. This charter lets you mix sightseeing with swim breaks on your own rhythm. You can be the type who wants to jump in and snorkel, or the type who just wants to drift, ride the wake, and stare at the coast.

I also like how the day is built around short, flexible stops rather than long, exhausting transfers. You get a port walk, then a bay anchor with water-sports gear ready, then another port with time to explore canals and grab a drink or lunch. For groups, that mix usually lands well, because not everyone has to want the same thing at the same moment.

The tradeoff? It is still only about four hours total. If your group wants nonstop action, you can do it, but you will feel time compression at the land stops.

Where you start matters: Marines de Cogolin and optional pick-up

The default starting point is Marines de Cogolin, and you return there too. That is the easiest plan because there is no extra fee for that departure.

If your base is more convenient closer to town, you can choose a pick up point: St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud. There is an extra €50 charge for collection from St Tropez or St Maxime, and also for Port Grimaud.

Practical tip: if you are coming from St Tropez proper, do the math on the €50 against your time and stress. A clean pick up can be worth it, especially with a group of six and kids.

The 4-hour format for up to six: a group day that stays flexible

This is a private activity, meaning only your group is on board. The boat is designed for a relaxed day at sea, and the group size stays capped at six people. That is a sweet spot: enough people to make it fun, small enough for the skipper to manage the gear, swim breaks, and pacing without chaos.

You get a mobile ticket, and confirmation comes at booking time. There is also a good chance your day will feel smooth because the operating style focuses on water activities, not complicated boarding steps.

In plain terms, you should expect a morning or afternoon outing where you can decide, mid-trip, what to do next: snorkel now, switch to paddleboard later, or take a quieter cruising moment between bays. That flexibility is the real value of a private charter.

Your custom route: Port de Saint Tropez, then bay swims, then Port Grimaud

The trip is planned with a logical flow: start with a classic port look, then move into anchored swimming and water sports, and finish in a charming place to wander. Even though the day includes specific stops, the tone is not rigid. The skipper can adjust based on wind, sea conditions, and what your group actually wants to do in that moment.

The timing in the plan looks like this:

• Port de Saint Tropez: 30 minutes
• Plage des Graniers: 30 minutes
• Plage des Canoubiers (Millionaires Bay): 1 hour
• Port Grimaud: 1 hour

Real life note: cruising time and the setup for water sports are part of the full 4 hours approx. So do not expect the day to feel like a long beach holiday. It is a concentrated “best of the bay” experience.

Stop 1: Port de Saint Tropez for superyachts and quayside atmosphere

You start in Port de Saint Tropez with about 30 minutes to take it in. This is your quick taste of the famous dock life, with superyachts lined up and that distinctly St Tropez feeling along the quayside.

What you can do with a half hour:

• Walk the port area for photos and views.
• Glance at the bars and waterfront scene.
• Get your bearings before you head out into the bay.

The drawback of a short port stop is obvious: it is not enough for a full town wander. If you want a deep St Tropez shopping or beach plan, you will likely want a separate block of time on land. For this charter, the port stop works best as a warm-up.

Stop 2: Plage des Graniers for anchored swim time and a beach bar option

Next you anchor at Plage des Graniers for about 30 minutes. This is one of the key “get in the water” moments. You can snorkel or swim directly from the boat, and the plan includes an option to use a tender boat to reach a bar on the beach if that is your group vibe.

There is also a smart convenience option here: the skipper can book you a lunch reservation at Les Graniers restaurant if you want to extend the beach-meets-boat idea.

What I like about this stop is that it is not only about the water. You can still make it social, with the option to hop to the bar if your group wants a slower, more “vacation” feel.

What to consider: if your group is mainly there for active sports, 30 minutes can feel a bit quick. If that is your plan, you will probably want to save the most intense water sports for the longer 1 hour stop later.

Stop 3: Plage des Canoubiers, Millionaires Bay, for the longest water-sports block

Then you head to Plage des Canoubiers, also known as Millionaires Bay. This is your 1 hour window, and it is the center of gravity for fun.

Here you can moor up and enjoy:

• A swim
• Snorkeling
• Paddleboarding around the boat

This is where the included gear really matters. With stand up paddleboards and snorkels part of the package, you are not stuck waiting your turn or hunting for rentals. You can spread out, explore in short bursts, then regroup.

A couple of real-world notes based on what people consistently highlight about the crew: the skipper style tends to be practical and hands-on, and gear setup is usually quick. Captains named Matt and Sirio come up often in the feedback, with an emphasis on being prepared and explaining what you are doing as you go.

Stop 4: Port Grimaud canals, Little Venice energy, and an easy finish

To wrap the day, you visit Port Grimaud for about 1 hour. This is the “Little Venice of France” type of setting, with canals you can wander along like you are in a mini-water city.

You can hop off and explore the village at your own pace. There is also an easy on-theme option to pause for lunch, an ice cream, or a beer, depending on what your group wants to end on.

This last stop is a good counterbalance to the water time earlier. If you have kids or mixed ages in your group, a land walk through canals can help everyone recharge without getting back in the sun and salt.

Water sports equipment included: what that means for your group

This is not a “rent a board extra” situation. The charter includes the full kit for:

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

That matters because it changes how you plan. Instead of picking just one activity to justify the cost, your group can try a couple. It also makes it easier for mixed energy levels. One person can be into paddleboarding, another into snorkeling, and someone else into towable fun.

Safety and comfort note: buoyancy aids are provided, which is a big plus for families and for anyone who prefers extra support in the water.

Who will love this most? Groups that want a “try it all” day. In the feedback, the standout praise keeps circling back to professional, attentive skippers who get everything set up and keep the day running smoothly.

Food, drinks, and the coolbox reality

You should plan to bring your own food and drink for the day. The operator provides ice, water, and glasses, plus there is a coolbox concept built in so your stuff stays usable.

This is worth thinking through. If you show up empty-handed, you lose time and energy. If you show up prepared, your stops feel like actual breaks instead of frantic re-planning.

My practical advice:

• Pack easy snacks for the boat time.
• Bring enough water for the full four hours, especially in strong sun.
• Keep drinks and food organized so you are not stuck digging for things while the boat is ready for a quick swim.

Price and value: $300.72 per group, plus how fuel changes the final cost

The headline price is $300.72 per group, up to six passengers. That is per group, not per person, which usually makes this feel fair for families and friend groups.

Where the math gets interesting is fuel. There is a fuel deposit of €100 before the trip. If less fuel is used, the difference is refunded after the trip. If more is used, the remaining amount is invoiced at the end.

Here is the guide they provide:

• Gentle cruising: about €15 per hour
• Higher speeds, heavy loads, and towable sports like wakeboarding or tubing: about €45 per hour
• Stopping in bays uses no fuel (so your anchored swim time is your “cheaper mode”)

So if your group wants lots of wakeboarding and tubing, your final total will likely climb. If your group is more into snorkeling, paddle time, and relaxed cruising between bays, your fuel bill should stay closer to the lower estimate.

Balanced takeaway: even with the fuel piece, the value holds because the charter includes the equipment and you are not paying for multiple rentals or multiple tickets across different spots.

Weather and pacing: the day is fun, but it depends on sea conditions

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will either be offered a different date or you can get a full refund.

That is the key operational reality. St Tropez Bay is gorgeous, but rougher conditions can make water sports less pleasant. The good news is that the charter style builds in breaks. If the sea is calm, you can do more gear-based fun. If conditions shift, expect the skipper to lean toward cruising and bay time where possible.

The smartest planning move is to keep your schedule flexible around your chosen day. If your trip is only one single day in the area, it is still doable, just understand weather is a factor.

Who should book this charter in the Bay of St Tropez

Book it if you match one of these profiles:

• You are traveling with friends and want a private day where you can choose your own pace.
• You want a family outing that includes both relaxed moments and active water time.
• Your group wants multiple “best of the bay” stops without juggling ferries, tours, and separate bookings.
• You like the idea of trying paddleboarding and snorkeling without paying extra per person.

It may not be ideal if:

• You only care about spending long stretches on land in St Tropez town, Port Grimaud, or nearby beaches.
• Your group plans to go full throttle on tow sports for the entire day, since that tends to increase fuel usage.

Should you book this private boat charter from Cogolin?

If your goal is a fun, flexible half-day in the St Tropez Bay with water sports gear included, I think this is an easy yes. It is priced as a group activity, not a per-person add-up, and you get enough variety to keep mixed interests happy: port views, anchored swimming, snorkel time, paddleboarding, and a canal-town finish.

One last reality check: the price does not include fuel, so your final cost depends on how intense your group gets. If you lean toward snorkeling, paddleboarding, and gentle cruising, it should feel especially good value.

Also, it has strong social proof: a 5 out of 5 rating with 58 reviews and 100% recommended.

If you want to spend your precious Riviera hours making your own choices on the water, this charter is built for exactly that.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The experience runs for about 4 hours.

What is the group size limit?

It is for up to 6 passengers per private group.

How much does it cost?

The price is $300.72 per group.

What pickup options are available?

You normally depart from Marines de Cogolin. You can also request pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud for an extra €50.

What water sports and equipment are included?

The charter includes wakeboards, waterskis, stand up paddleboards, inflatable towables (tubes), snorkels, and buoyancy aids.

Is food and drink included?

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

Is fuel included in the price?

Fuel is not included. There is a €100 fuel deposit before the trip, and the difference is handled after the trip based on actual usage.

What does the itinerary include?

The day includes stops at Port de Saint Tropez, Plage des Graniers, Plage des Canoubiers, and Port Grimaud.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is cancellation free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.