All about Cannes
Famous for its annual film festival in May, Cannes, is one of the top harbor hotspots on the French Riviera. Although it cannot rival its Côte d'Azur neighbor Nice, Cannes possesses a somewhat extravagant yet delicate feel to its couture shops and palace-like hotels. Bustling with high-end restaurants, casinos and luxury boutiques, there is something for everyone here in Cannes.
Cannes’ Ports and Harbors
Vieux Port (Port of Cannes) is the most central harbour and a prime seafront location for both locals and tourists. Modern and fully-equipped, yet eco-friendly, Port of Cannes has plenty of berths for large
yachts and catamarans to sailboats and
motorboats with excellent customer service, guaranteeing a pleasant stay during your boat rental.
Port Pierre Canto is located on the east side of the Promenade de la Croisette and hosts boats up to 85m. This illustrious port offers high-quality facilities and is walking distance from everything you might need.
Port Point Croisette
Although this is a smaller port mooring up to 260 boats, Port Point Croisette offers a more peaceful setting all the while in close proximity to local attractions, shopping and restaurants.
Over the Cap de la Croisette, Port Mourré Rouge is on the eastern coast in a more tranquil environment. Built in 1911, this historic port has 450 berths and is ideal for smaller vessels.
Climate and Sailing Conditions in Cannes
High Season in Cannes begins after the film festival kicks off in May. Temperatures rise until they peak at an average temperature of 22°C in August (although in recent years they have peaked over 30°C). The sea temperature during August is a pleasant 24°C—if not more—and is still warm in September, also an enjoyable time to visit before the season ends. The wettest month of the year is statistically October with 70mm of rain.
Summer is the perfect season to get on the water in Cannes. The sea is generally at its calmest with minimal tides and gentle sea breezes. We advise taking extra care when sailing along the mediterranean south coast in winter and spring, as strong mistral winds often pick up during this time of year.
What to do in Cannes
The Suquet Hill district is a must-visit when visiting Cannes. Cobbled streets lined with provençal themed gift shops, bars and restaurants have sprouted from what was once a little fishing village on a hill. Stretch your legs on an evening stroll along the Boulevard de la Croisette and enjoy the view of the Estérel mountains while you walk under palm trees and glittering street lights.
If you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of Cannes for an afternoon, we highly recommend a trip to the perfume capital of the world, Grasse, where you can visit the perfumeries and also create your own perfume. You can also enjoy the luscious lavender landscape from June to August - how often do you visit beautiful sights that also smell wonderful? The train from Cannes to Grasse takes 20-30 minutes, with journeys costing from €4.40.
How to get to Cannes
The nearest airport is Nice-Côte d’Azur airport (NCE) with many flights provided from British Airways, Jet2, Easyjet, Monarch, Ryaniar and Aerlingus.
Taxis from the airport cost approx. €70-75, with potentially an additional charge during the night.
To catch the train, firstly you need to get the no.99 bus to Nice-Ville station and then the TER service to Cannes. Prices depend on the services and time of day.
There is an express bus (210) which runs from Nice airport to Cannes. A single ticket costs €22 (€16.50 for under 26yrs, €5 for children aged 12 and under) and an open return ticket costs €33. A group ticket for 4 people can be purchased at €66.
However, If you like to arrive in style, Azur Helico is a helicopter company in the area which operates flights from Nice Airport to various locations along the French Riviera, including Cannes. The journey includes an onward shuttle to your yacht or hotel and costs from €430 for three to six people.
