Full Day Private Yacht Charter on our Pershing 40 in Saint Tropez

Saint-Tropez looks best from the water. This private yacht charter gives your group eight hours aboard a Pershing 40, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, sunbathing, and quiet cruising along the coast. I especially like the private setting for up to eight people and the chance to reach coves that are awkward to visit by car.

I also like that the boat includes paddleboard, snorkel gear, snacks, soft drinks, and water, so you can settle in without packing a floating picnic shop. The main consideration is the price: $2,889.87 per group, plus a fuel surcharge, makes the trip good value for a full group but costly for only one or two people.

The day begins at 10 a.m. from Marines de Cogolin and returns there after roughly eight hours. You can also ask about pickup from another nearby port, which may help if you are staying around Saint-Tropez or Sainte-Maxime. The exact berth is sent by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter.

Key points to know before booking

• A private Pershing 40 for up to eight people: You get the entire boat for your own group, rather than sharing a schedule with strangers.
• Five very different coastal stops: The route includes celebrity homes and coves at Les Canoubiers, Pampelonne Beach, Cap Taillat, L’Escalet, and Cap Camarat.
• Water time is built into the day: Snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, and sunbathing are central to the experience, not side activities.
• Marines de Cogolin is the usual starting point: The exact location arrives by WhatsApp or email, and another nearby port may be arranged in advance.
• The captain shapes the day: Captains including Glen, Niamh, Mark, and Steve have been praised for friendly service, flexible swimming stops, and help with lunch plans.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded.

Why a private yacht works well here

Saint-Tropez is famous for its harbor, designer shops, and celebrity associations, but the most rewarding part of the coast lies beyond the waterfront. A private boat lets you move between swimming spots without repeatedly packing up beach towels, walking along hot roads, or searching for parking near popular beaches.

The Pershing 40 is also a useful size for this kind of day. It is large enough for a group of eight, with room to sit, stretch out, and use the onboard restroom, yet it is still suited to visiting smaller coastal stops. The boat is described as spacious and smooth-riding, which matters when you are spending most of the day aboard.

You should think of this as a relaxed coastal outing rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. The captain can point out the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez and explain its past, but the main rhythm is simple: cruise, stop, swim, eat a snack, and cruise again.

The private format gives you more control than a shared boat. If half the group wants to snorkel and the rest wants to sunbathe, you do not have to follow a fixed shore excursion plan. The exact timing may change with conditions and the captain’s judgment, but the listed route allows about two hours at the first three main stops, followed by shorter visits at L’Escalet and Cap Camarat.

Starting from Marines de Cogolin at 10 a.m.

The standard departure point is Marines de Cogolin, a marina near Saint-Tropez. Pickup is offered, but the exact berth is not provided immediately at booking. You receive it by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter, so keep an eye on both.

The operator can arrange collection from another nearby port if you request it when booking. This is worth asking about if your hotel or rental is closer to Saint-Tropez or Sainte-Maxime. One useful practical point is that departing from Saint-Tropez itself may involve a busy marina and a wait of more than 30 minutes. A pickup from Sainte-Maxime was described as easier, with a quick jump-on, jump-off arrangement.

The charter starts at 10 a.m. and lasts about eight hours. That gives you a full day on the coast, not a rushed morning trip with a quick look at one beach. You should arrive ready for the water, since the value of the day comes from using the boat rather than simply sitting aboard while the coast passes by.

Snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a stand-up paddleboard are included. Lunch is not listed as included, though a captain may be able to help arrange a restaurant reservation. One group had lunch organized at Tahiti Beach, but you should confirm any meal plan before departure.

Les Canoubiers and the celebrity side of Saint-Tropez

The first major stop is Les Canoubiers, often called the Billionaires Bay of Saint-Tropez. This is the place for a gentle introduction to the day, with around two hours set aside for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and relaxing aboard.

The area is linked with famous Saint-Tropez residents, including Brigitte Bardot. That celebrity connection gives the bay some glamour, but the real reason to stop is the water and the setting. From the boat, you can enjoy the coast without committing to a crowded beach setup.

Dolphin spotting is also mentioned as a possibility. Treat it as an extra chance, not a promised part of the trip. Wildlife sightings depend on the day, and no guaranteed encounter is offered.

This stop should suit a group with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can use the snorkeling gear or paddleboard, while anyone who prefers a quieter start can stay aboard with a drink and watch the coast. Since the stop is long, you are not forced to choose between activity and rest.

Seeing the Citadelle from the water

At some point during the cruise, you take in the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez from offshore. The view is different from a visit on foot: you see the monument as part of the town’s broader setting, with the harbor and hills behind it.

The captain can explain the history of the Citadelle and what occupies it today. This is a short sightseeing element within an otherwise outdoors-focused day, so it will appeal most if you want a little context without spending hours inside a museum.

The view also gives you a useful pause between swimming stops. You can stay dry, take photographs, and let the captain handle the route. The boat’s position offshore means you do not need to fight through town traffic to appreciate one of Saint-Tropez’s best-known landmarks.

Pampelonne Beach, film history, and a livelier shore

Pampelonne Beach receives another two-hour stop. The beach became internationally famous after appearing in the 1958 film And God Created Woman, which helped place Saint-Tropez firmly on the holiday map.

Today, Pampelonne offers several different moods. It can suit a family beach day, but it is also associated with stylish beach clubs and champagne-fueled parties. From a private yacht, you can enjoy the view and the water without committing to a full day on the sand.

This is a useful stop for people who want a change from small coves. Pampelonne is more open and iconic, while the later stops feel quieter and more rugged. The two-hour window leaves room for a swim or paddleboard session, though the beach atmosphere can be less peaceful than at a secluded cove.

If you want lunch ashore, this is one of the places where a reservation may be possible. Do not assume that food is included in the charter price. Snacks and drinks are supplied, but restaurant meals and any shore purchases are extra.

Cap Taillat and the Blue Lagoon

Cap Taillat is the most secluded-feeling part of the route. It is difficult to reach by car, which is exactly why arriving by yacht adds real value. You avoid a long approach on land and reach a stretch of coast surrounded by undeveloped natural scenery.

The stop lasts about two hours and centers on the Blue Lagoon. This is the place to use the snorkel gear, take the paddleboard out, or simply float and enjoy the water. If you want the most peaceful part of the day, this may be it.

The phrase secluded should not be read as a promise of total solitude. The Saint-Tropez coast is popular, especially in good weather. Still, arriving by boat gives you a better view of the shoreline and more freedom than a standard beach visit.

Cap Taillat also shows why a private charter is more than an expensive way to get from one beach to another. You are paying for access, time, equipment, and the ability to enjoy the coast at a pace that suits your group.

L’Escalet for turquoise water and photographs

The next stop is Plage de l’Escalet, with about one hour available. L’Escalet is known for clear turquoise water and a striking shoreline, making it a natural spot for photographs and a short swim.

One hour is enough for a refreshing stop, but it may feel brief if everyone wants to snorkel, paddleboard, and take photos. The shorter visit works best if you have already had plenty of water time at Les Canoubiers, Pampelonne, or Cap Taillat.

I would treat L’Escalet as a scenic pause rather than the main event. It breaks up the longer stops and keeps the route moving toward Cap Camarat. If your group has a favorite cove, you can ask the captain how flexible the schedule may be, though the final plan depends on conditions and timing.

Cap Camarat and the final coastal views

The last listed stop is Cap Camarat, where you get rugged cliffs and wide coastal views. The stop lasts about an hour and provides a sharper contrast to the softer, more sheltered swimming areas.

Cap Camarat is a good ending because it shifts attention from water activities to scenery. You can enjoy the cliffs from the boat, take photographs, and wind down before returning to the marina. It is also the route’s most dramatic setting, at least in terms of rock and open views.

If your group prefers swimming above all else, an hour here may seem less useful than extra time at Cap Taillat. If you enjoy the coast as much for its shape and views as for its beaches, Cap Camarat adds welcome variety.

What is included, and what you should budget for

The price is $2,889.87 per group of up to eight people, with a fuel surcharge listed separately. Divided among eight, the base rate works out to roughly $361 per person before fuel. For a full group wanting a private boat for eight hours, that is a more sensible proposition than it first appears.

For four people, the base cost is roughly $722 each before the surcharge. For two people, it becomes a luxury splurge. The value improves when you fill most of the eight available places and make full use of the boat, equipment, and long operating day.

Included supplies are practical rather than lavish:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Bottled water
• Soft drinks
• Snacks
• Restroom on board

You should budget separately for fuel, lunch, and any drinks or services bought ashore. Since the trip lasts all day, ask about lunch arrangements before setting off. The crew may help with a reservation, but that does not make the meal part of the charter.

The captain makes a real difference

The captain is central to the experience. You are not just hiring transport. You are relying on the captain to choose good swimming conditions, explain places such as the Citadelle, manage the timing, and help the day feel relaxed.

Glen received praise for creating a smooth, comfortable day aboard a spacious boat. Niamh and Mark were noted for attentive service, visits to several coves, and help arranging lunch at Tahiti Beach. Steve and Niamh were also praised for taking a family to different swimming spots and making good use of the paddleboard and kayak-style water activities described in the feedback.

You can request particular crew members, though availability is not guaranteed. If personal service matters to you, it is sensible to ask at the time of booking.

The strongest pattern is flexibility and warmth. The crew appears willing to adjust the day around swimming, family needs, and lunch plans. That is a major advantage over a fixed group cruise, where the schedule rarely bends for anyone.

Who should book this yacht day?

I would recommend this charter to families, groups of friends, and couples traveling with several companions. It is especially suited to people who want a private day, like swimming and sunbathing, and would rather see several parts of the coast than spend the whole day at one beach.

It also suits mixed groups. Active people can use the paddleboard and snorkel gear, while others can stay aboard and enjoy the views. The onboard restroom and included drinks make the long day easier for families.

You may want to skip it if you dislike being on the water for many hours, want a low-cost activity, or prefer a structured cultural tour with lots of time ashore. The Citadelle commentary is pleasant, but this is not primarily a history tour.

The experience is recommended by all 11 recorded ratings, with a five-star average. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as proof that every sailing will be perfect. Still, the praise is consistent on the points that matter most: the boat, the scenery, the captain’s care, and the freedom of a private day.

Should you book the Pershing 40 charter?

Book it if you can fill the boat and want a full Riviera day built around water, sun, and coves that are hard to reach by car. The strongest value comes from eight people sharing the cost, using the included equipment, and taking advantage of the full eight-hour schedule.

Before paying, confirm the fuel surcharge, departure berth, lunch plan, and pickup options. Ask about Marines de Cogolin versus another nearby port, especially if you are staying near Saint-Tropez or Sainte-Maxime.

For the right group, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to see the Saint-Tropez coast. You get famous beaches, quiet coves, film history, dramatic headlands, and a captain who can keep the day moving without making it feel rushed.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht charter?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending back at the meeting point.

Where does the yacht depart?

The usual departure point is Marines de Cogolin. The exact berth is sent by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter.

Can I arrange pickup from another port?

Yes. Collection from another nearby port can be organized if you request it when booking.

How many people can join the yacht charter?

The private charter accommodates up to eight people in your group.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, bottled water, soft drinks, and snacks are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Snacks and drinks are included, but lunch is not listed as part of the price. A captain may be able to help arrange a restaurant reservation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.