Destination Iles de Lérin. This stunning duo of islands consisting of Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat are located just off the coast of Cannes and accessible from almost anywhere on the Côte d’Azur.
We hire a boat out of Antibes and set sail for the day, picnic packed and snorkels at the ready.
Headed out of Port Vauban d’Antibes, we pass Le Fort Carré on the headlands. It’s a looming star shaped fortress from the 16th century and definitely on my Antibes ‘to do’ list.
Cap d’Antibes
From here we navigate south past Plage du Ponteil, Plage de la Salis and around Cap Gros until we reach a pretty little bay for which snorkeling is recommended.
We decide to stop and check out. It’s simply stunning and Jason sets to glide in past a number of boats already anchored here to find the perfect spot. Soon after we’re in the water, snorkeling to the nearby rocky caves, on to the beach and back through the azure water to the boat again.
We have brought a picnic with us: baguette, jambon, Camembert, tomato, cucumber and some tzatziki. Lunch overlooking the bay ensues before Jasper is in the water again, this time as a slippery salmon.
It’s only after we have pulled up anchor that we come to discover its name: Baie des Milliardaires d’Antibes (Bay of Antibes Billionaires). The name says it all! Not to mention the villa once owned by Aristotle Onassis up on the cliff front.
Île Sainte-Marguerite
From here we head over to Iles de Lérin (the Lerin Islands), anchoring in between the two, just off Île Sainte-Marguerite. On the southern side there is a tower and Le Grand Jardin (garden) marking the location of the Écomusée sous-marin par Jason deCaires Taylor (Underwater Sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor). The sculpture garden is cordoned off to boats but again Jason manages some expert boating maneuvers to position right on the edge of the underwater museum.
Jasper takes off for an exploratory snorkel whilst Jason & I hang back in the boat enjoying the scenery. Eventually Jason joins Jasper investigating the underwater gallery and soon I have a turn also.
The sea here is just unbelievably clear. The stunning blue patches of sea are real, they’re the effect of the pure sandy bottom. Whereas the darker patches are rocks or sea grass, the sand creates these patches of bright turquoise. We can see straight to the bottom, a depth of only a few meters around the sculptures up to perhaps 10m or so where the hundreds of boats are anchored in the calm waters.
Antibes
We take a little tour along the coastline and anchor again in a bit of a quieter spot for some more snorkeling near the rocky shore. A snack and a drink after the aquatic exertion and it’s time to pull up anchor and start heading back.
Jasper positions himself at the bow in the calm waters, just soaking it in, until we hit the rough open water.
Once back around Cap d’Antibes we follow the shoreline, marveling at the seemingly endless beaches filled with holiday makers, the vast array of boats on the water and the incredible colors of the Côte d’Azur.
Along the way we are treated to some wonderful sea views of Antibes ramparts and old town.
Good To Know
Just in case you didn’t bring your own boat along, ONA (Organisation Nautique Antibes) provides half day and full day hire. ONA is located along Quay des Pêcheurs, right outside Centre Villa at the Marina.
There are a wide range of boats available from around EUR300/day. Note that for most of them, you’ll need an International Boat License, otherwise you’ll also need to arrange a Captain. A good alternative is to join one of the tours that operate in the area.
Would I Return?
Yes.