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

The best Saint-Tropez views come from the water. This private Pershing 40 charter gives you four hours along the French Riviera, with time for swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and admiring the superyachts gathered around the bay. I especially like the private format, which lets your group shape the outing, and the choice of morning or afternoon departure. The main drawback is the extra fuel surcharge, along with occasional communication problems when weather forces a cancellation.

This is a polished, social boat day rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. Captains including Scott, Eric, Steve, Mark, Glen, Peter, Tjeerd, and Ian have been praised for being friendly and flexible. Still, you should confirm the exact port and meeting instructions before setting out, since departures may be arranged from several locations.

Key points to know before booking

• A private Pershing 40 for four hours: Your group has the boat to itself, with the listed price covering up to eight people.
• Several possible departure ports: Boarding may be arranged at Port Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, or Marines de Cogolin.
• Swimming is central to the outing: Canoubiers, the Parcs de Saint-Tropez, and Salins Beach may all feature, depending on timing and sea conditions.
• Water gear is included: Snorkels, paddleboards, bottled water, soft drinks, and snacks come with the charter.
• A flexible captain makes the difference: Past outings have included extra swim stops, music from a phone, a small tender ride, and contact with a beach club.
• Weather matters: Thunderstorms, high winds, or rough seas can cancel the trip, so keep the refund and rescheduling terms in mind.

What a half-day on the Pershing 40 feels like

A private yacht charter changes the rhythm of a Saint-Tropez visit. You are not following a large group through a fixed program. Instead, you spend four hours with your own party and a captain who can adjust the pace around swimming, sightseeing, and simple time in the sun.

The boat is a Pershing 40, a sleek motor yacht suited to the glamorous waters around Saint-Tropez. The setting fits the boat: polished marinas, large private yachts, low coastal hills, and clear Mediterranean water. You can sit back and watch the coast, or make use of the paddleboard and snorkeling equipment when the boat anchors.

The charter is listed at $1,802.19 per group of up to eight. That may look steep beside a group cruise, but the calculation changes when you divide it among a full party. At eight people, the cost is about $225 per person before the fuel surcharge. For a couple, it is a major splurge. For a family or group of friends marking a special day, the privacy and flexibility make the price easier to justify.

The information also describes room for ten on the yacht, while the listed group price covers up to eight. If your party has more than eight people, ask the operator to confirm the allowed number and any extra charge before paying.

Choosing the right port around Saint-Tropez

The meeting point is listed at 4 Impasse des Jardins in Ramatuelle, but the actual boarding port can vary. Possible departure points include Port Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, and Marines de Cogolin.

This matters more than it may seem. The Gulf of Saint-Tropez has several marinas, and a drive to the wrong one could eat into a four-hour charter. The operator says the exact meeting place will be confirmed by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter, so watch your messages and check the details before departure.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied information does not spell out a standard hotel transfer. Treat pickup as something to confirm, not an automatic door-to-dock service. Arrive early, and keep the operator’s contact details handy.

The activity returns to its starting point. That makes it easier to plan lunch, a beach afternoon, or a stroll through Saint-Tropez afterward, provided you allow time for docking and the trip back from the marina.

Port Grimaud and the first look at the Gulf

If your outing starts at Port Grimaud, you begin among one of the area’s most unusual waterfront settings. The port is often called the Venice of Provence because of its canals and waterside buildings. From the yacht, the appeal is less about walking the streets and more about seeing the marina from the water.

From here, the boat moves into the Golfe du Saint-Tropez. This is the social stage of the Riviera, where sleek superyachts share the water with smaller craft and charter boats. You get a different view of Saint-Tropez than you would from the harborfront streets. The town becomes part of a wider coastal scene rather than the whole show.

The exact route can change. A captain may spend more time cruising past the larger yachts, or head sooner toward a quiet anchorage for swimming. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not treat every listed stop as a guaranteed, timed visit.

Saint-Tropez from the water

Seeing Saint-Tropez from offshore is one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. The waterfront, old town, harbor, and Citadel area read more clearly when you are looking back from the sea.

The itinerary includes Saint-Tropez and the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez, home to the Musée d’histoire maritime. This is mainly a passing view on the yacht, not a museum visit. If you want to explore the museum’s exhibits, allow separate time before or after the charter.

The water-level angle also puts the Riviera’s boating culture right in front of you. One particularly memorable feature is the chance to cruise close to the superyachts gathered in the bay. For some people, that is as entertaining as the coastal scenery. You get a close look at the scale and style of Saint-Tropez’s famous boat scene without paying for a separate harbor tour.

The boat can also suit a group that wants its own soundtrack. One outing allowed the party to play personal music, though you should confirm the audio setup with your captain rather than assume a particular system.

Canoubiers, the bay made famous by celebrities

Plage des Canoubiers is one of the key stops. The anchorage is also known as Billionaires Bay, and the area is associated with Brigitte Bardot and other famous residents.

The name brings glamour, but the real pleasure is practical: this is a place to stop the engine, get into the water, and enjoy the boat as a floating base. You can swim around the yacht, use the paddleboard, or try the snorkeling gear. Several outings included two separate swimming stops, which is useful if some people want activity while others prefer to stay aboard.

Canoubiers is not a secluded private beach. Its fame and location mean you may share the water with other boats. The charter still gives you a comfortable way to enjoy the area without hauling beach equipment across the sand.

If anyone in your group gets motion sick, tell the captain early. One outing included quick help for a sick passenger, but a calm approach is best: eat lightly, stay in fresh air, and speak up before the problem grows.

The Parcs de Saint-Tropez and Salins Beach

The Parcs de Saint-Tropez offers another scenic stretch of coast and a change from the busy harbor area. Here, the point is less about a named attraction and more about the combination of open water, attractive villas, and the Riviera shoreline.

The route may continue toward Salins Beach, described as a quieter coastal stop with clear water and a more natural feel. This is another possible place for a swim or a relaxed pause. The captain may choose the best anchorage based on wind, waves, and local conditions, so the final order of stops can change.

That flexibility is part of the value of a private charter. You can ask for more time in the water, more cruising, or a slower afternoon at anchor. The tradeoff is that you do not receive a strict sightseeing timetable. If you need to see every location, ask for a proposed route before leaving the port.

Swimming, paddleboarding, and the useful extras

The included equipment makes this more than a yacht ride. Your group receives use of snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard, along with bottled water, soda, and snacks.

Those basics matter on a four-hour trip. You do not need to pack a cooler full of drinks, and you can move between relaxing on deck and getting into the water. Some outings also included sea scooters and extra water toys, but those are not listed as standard inclusions, so ask what will be aboard for your date.

Food is limited to snacks unless you arrange something more substantial. One group ordered picnic lunch boxes and enjoyed them, while another received a cheese board during a swim stop. These extras may be available by request, but they are not part of the standard price. If your charter runs across lunchtime, ask about picnic options before departure.

The yacht includes a restroom, which is an important comfort on a four-hour trip. You should still pack practical swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a dry layer for the ride back. The supplied information does not specify the cabin or deck layout, so ask if anyone in your group needs particular onboard facilities.

Captains and the personal side of the trip

The captain can shape the day more than the itinerary does. Scott is praised for showing guests around the bay, stopping for two swims, and making the outing feel easy. Eric received warm marks for his English and for calling a beach club so the group could go ashore for a drink.

Mark and Glen have been praised for listening to requests, finding clear water, and helping with photos. Steve has been described as an accommodating host who knows the coves and surrounding villages. Peter led a quiet afternoon with a cheese board and swim time, while Tjeerd handled a seasick passenger quickly and kept communication clear.

These details point to a useful tip: tell your captain what kind of day you want at the start. Say if swimming is the priority, if you want more sightseeing, or if you would like to play music and stop for food. A private charter works best when you treat the captain as a partner in planning rather than simply waiting for a fixed tour.

English is offered, and several named captains have been praised for clear communication. That is especially helpful when coordinating swimming, paddleboarding, a possible beach-club stop, or a tender ride into a harbor.

The price, fuel charge, and overall value

At $1,802.19 for a group of up to eight, this is a premium activity. You are paying for a private motor yacht, a professional captain, four hours on the water, included soft drinks and snacks, and use of water equipment.

The fuel surcharge is not included, so budget for that extra cost. Ask for the amount before the charter, since it affects the final value. The price is hardest to justify for one or two people unless the yacht experience itself is a major priority.

For a full group, the numbers work better. You get privacy, a flexible route, and the freedom to spend real time swimming instead of sitting through a short photo stop. A large public cruise may cost less, but it will not give your group the same control over music, stops, or pace.

The activity has a 4.7 rating from 50 reviews, with 94 percent recommending it. Most feedback is strongly positive, especially about the captains, swimming stops, boat condition, clear water, and easy communication.

There are also two serious complaints about boats not arriving promptly during bad-weather or scheduling problems. The operator responded that one booking had been placed for the wrong day and that another cancellation followed severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds. In the second case, the operator said a full refund was processed, but the delayed notice still caused frustration.

That is a reminder to confirm the date, port, and weather plan in writing. If a storm is possible, do not assume the boat will leave until you receive a clear update.

Who should book this Saint-Tropez yacht charter?

This outing suits a family, couple, or group of friends that wants a private day on the Mediterranean rather than a museum-heavy tour. It is especially good for people who value swimming, photographs, superyachts, and time at anchor.

It also works well for a special occasion. A cheese board, picnic lunch, personal music, or a champagne run by tender can turn a standard half-day into a celebration, though you should arrange paid extras ahead of time.

I would think twice if your main goal is a detailed walking tour of Saint-Tropez. The Citadel and maritime museum appear in the route, but you will not have a long visit ashore. I would also be cautious if your schedule has no room for a weather change, since rough conditions can cancel the charter.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are normally not refunded, while poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or full refund. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate, but confirm any specific mobility or medical need in advance.

Should you book the Pershing 40?

Book it if you want a stylish, private way to combine Saint-Tropez sightseeing with actual time in the sea. The strongest parts are the flexible captain, the two possible swim stops, the included paddleboard and snorkel gear, and the chance to see the Gulf from a yacht instead of from the harbor wall.

For the best value, fill the boat with people who will swim, share the cost, and enjoy several hours together. Confirm the fuel surcharge, exact port, group limit, and weather contact before you go. If those details are clear, this is a memorable splurge and one of the more personal ways to experience the Saint-Tropez coast.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht charter?

The charter lasts approximately four hours and returns to the starting meeting point.

How many people can join the yacht charter?

The listed price covers a private group of up to eight people. The experience also describes space for ten, so larger groups should confirm the exact limit with Riviera Yacht Charter before booking.

Where does the yacht depart?

Possible departure ports include Port Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Tropez, and Marines de Cogolin. The exact meeting location is confirmed by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter.

What is included in the price?

The charter includes bottled water, snacks, soda, snorkeling equipment, and a stand-up paddleboard. Fuel is not included and may be charged separately.

Can I choose a morning or afternoon departure?

Yes. The experience offers a choice of morning or afternoon departure, subject to availability.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather makes the charter unsafe, you can be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.