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

Saint-Tropez looks different from the water. A private Pershing 40 yacht takes you past celebrity beaches, quiet coves, rocky capes, and the town’s old citadel without tying you to a crowded beach schedule. You can swim, paddleboard, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply let the captain choose the best place to pause.

I like the relaxed eight-hour format and the fact that this is a true private outing for up to eight people. I also like the useful extras: paddleboard, snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, snacks, and a restroom on board. The main caution is cost. At $2,889.87 per group, plus a fuel surcharge, this makes the most sense when shared by a family or group of friends.

• A full day on a Pershing 40: Enjoy eight hours on the water with only your own group aboard.
• Five Riviera stops: Swim at Les Canoubiers, Pampelonne, Cap Taillat, L’Escalet, and Cap Camarat.
• Water gear included: Use the paddleboard and snorkeling equipment without arranging separate rentals.
• A practical departure point: Boats are berthed at Marines de Cogolin, with another nearby port possible by arrangement.
• Guides with strong personal service: Captains Glen, Niamh, Mark, and Steve have all been praised for attentive hosting.
• A flexible family day: The captain can take you to several coves and may help arrange lunch reservations, as happened with a group at Tahiti Beach.

A private yacht day with Saint-Tropez as the backdrop

This is not a short sightseeing cruise with a fixed seat and a quick photo stop. It is a full-day charter built around time on the water. You leave at 10:00 am and return to the same general meeting point after about eight hours.

The boat is a Pershing 40, a yacht large enough for a group of up to eight but still suited to moving between smaller coves and coastal viewpoints. You have room to spread out, sunbathe, and change activities during the day. The private setup matters here. You are not working around strangers, and the captain can adjust the pace to your group.

The day is also designed for mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can use the paddleboard, and someone else can stay aboard with a cold drink. That flexibility is far more useful than it may sound, especially for families or groups with different ideas about a perfect beach day.

Marines de Cogolin makes a practical starting point

The boat is berthed at Marines de Cogolin, rather than directly in central Saint-Tropez. Exact directions are sent by WhatsApp or email within five days of the charter, so check those messages before setting out.

You can ask about collection from another nearby port when booking. One important detail came up in the tour information: a group that departed from Saint-Maxime found it easier than leaving from Saint-Tropez, where the marina can involve more waiting. That does not mean every departure from Saint-Tropez will be slow, but it is a useful planning point if you have a choice.

The listed start time is 10:00 am. Arrive with enough time to find the berth and settle in, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the marina. The exact location is not supplied immediately at booking, so do not treat the broad meeting point as the final set of directions.

Les Canoubiers and the celebrity side of the coast

The first main stop is Les Canoubiers, often called the Billionaires Bay of Saint-Tropez. This is the stretch associated with high-profile homes and celebrities, including Brigitte Bardot.

You have about two hours here. That is enough time to use the paddleboard, try the snorkeling equipment, swim, or simply lie back on the yacht. The location is also listed as a place for dolphin spotting, though dolphins are never guaranteed. Keep that part of the experience in the category of a pleasant possibility rather than a promise.

Les Canoubiers gives you an early chance to settle into the rhythm of the day. If you want active water time, start here. If your group prefers a slow morning, the captain can make this a gentle first stop before the more dramatic coastal sections later on.

The Citadel viewed from the sea

At some point during the cruise, you take in the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez from the water. The view is a reminder that Saint-Tropez is more than beach clubs and polished yachts. The captain can explain the history of this landmark and what it contains today.

The information provided does not assign a fixed duration to this stop, so think of it as a scenic and informative part of the cruise rather than a shore visit. You do not appear to leave the yacht to tour the monument. That is worth knowing if you hoped to walk inside the citadel.

From offshore, the perspective is different from the one you get in the town streets. You can look back toward Saint-Tropez without dealing with the town’s traffic or marina crowds, then continue along the coast.

Pampelonne, where the Riviera gets theatrical

The next major stop is Plage de Pampelonne, with about two hours set aside. Pampelonne became famous after appearing in Brigitte Bardot’s 1958 film And God Created Woman. Since then, it has developed a reputation as one of the French Riviera’s classic party beaches.

That reputation can sound more exclusive than the actual experience. Pampelonne also works for a simple swim and a family beach day. The appeal is the contrast: you can see the famous setting, enjoy the water, and decide how much of the social scene you want from the privacy of your own boat.

This is also the part of the day where lunch planning may matter. A group on one outing had lunch reservations made at Tahiti Beach. That service is not listed as a standard inclusion, so ask in advance if you want the captain to help arrange a beach lunch. Do not assume a reservation is included with the charter.

Cap Taillat and the Blue Lagoon

Cap Taillat is the most secluded-feeling stop on the route. The headland is difficult to reach by car, which makes arriving by yacht especially useful. You get about two hours here, with the Blue Lagoon described as the main draw.

This is a strong spot for a swim, paddleboard session, or quiet time on board. The value is not just the water itself. The yacht gets you close to a section of coast that is less convenient to reach overland, and you can enjoy it without building your day around a long walk from a car park.

The phrase secluded paradise should not make you expect total isolation. The coast around Saint-Tropez is popular, particularly in good weather. Still, Cap Taillat offers a change from the better-known beach settings and gives the day a more natural, open-air feel.

L’Escalet offers turquoise water and easy rest

Plage de l’Escalet is scheduled for about one hour. It is known for its striking coastline and turquoise water, and it works well as a shorter stop after the longer pauses at Les Canoubiers, Pampelonne, and Cap Taillat.

You can use this hour to swim, take photographs, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. The stop is not described as a full shore excursion, so plan for a water-based visit rather than a long walk along the beach.

An hour can pass quickly when a group is deciding who wants to swim and who wants to paddleboard. If your group needs more time at each location, ask the captain how flexible the schedule can be. The listed route is a guide, but the total charter still has to fit within eight hours.

Cap Camarat brings cliffs and wide views

The final named stop is Cap Camarat, with about one hour. Here the mood shifts again, from beach scenes to rugged cliffs and broad coastal views.

Cap Camarat suits anyone who wants a little more drama in the scenery. It is a good place for photographs and for seeing the Saint-Tropez peninsula from a different angle. The stop is also described as a place for adventure, though the charter information does not specify a particular shore activity there.

Because this comes near the end of the day, it may be a welcome change from swimming. You can stay dry, enjoy the view, and let the captain handle the return run to Marines de Cogolin.

What is included on the Pershing 40

The included equipment is one of the strongest practical points. You receive:

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

These inclusions reduce the small costs and planning chores that can chip away at a beach day. You do not need to rent a paddleboard at every stop or bring enough drinks for eight people. The snacks are useful between stops, though you should not treat them as a full lunch.

The listing does not include fuel. A fuel surcharge applies, so ask for the current amount before you finalize your budget. This is especially important because the headline group price is already high. Knowing the complete cost helps you compare the charter with other private boat options.

Captains who shape the day

The captain is central to this experience. You are not only hiring transport between beaches. You are relying on the captain to judge where to stop, manage the timing, and make the boat comfortable for different ages and interests.

Glen has been singled out for a smooth ride and for creating a day that felt difficult to leave. Niamh and Mark were praised for attending to every need, taking a family to several coves, and helping with lunch arrangements at Tahiti Beach. Another outing with Niamh and Steve included swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking, with a friendly and engaging atmosphere.

Those names are useful when booking, but they should not be treated as a guarantee that a specific captain will be available. You can request Niamh, Mark, Steve, or Glen and ask what is possible for your date.

The strongest pattern is personal attention. The captain can help turn a standard route into a day that suits your group. Still, the quality of the experience depends partly on weather, sea conditions, and the captain assigned that day.

Is $2,889.87 good value for your group?

The price is $2,889.87 per group of up to eight, before the fuel surcharge. Split eight ways, the base price is about $361 per person. Split among four people, it is about $722 each, again before fuel.

That is a serious amount of money, but private yacht prices need to be judged against what they replace. You are paying for the boat, captain, eight hours, private use, water equipment, drinks, snacks, and access to several coastal locations in one day. For a full group, the price can be easier to justify than for a couple.

I would consider this a luxury splurge, not a bargain excursion. It is best value for a family or group of friends who will spend much of the day on the boat and make good use of the swimming and paddleboard equipment. If you only want a short scenic cruise, this eight-hour charter is probably more than you need.

The booking pattern also suggests planning ahead. It is booked an average of 54 days in advance, so summer dates and popular vacation periods may require early action. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Who should book this Saint-Tropez charter?

I would point this experience toward:

• Families who want a private day with several swimming options
• Friends who can share the cost across six to eight people
• Couples celebrating a special occasion who value privacy over a low price
• Anyone who wants to see Pampelonne and the Saint-Tropez coast from the sea
• Groups with mixed interests, since the boat supports swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and quiet sightseeing

I would be more cautious if you dislike spending a full day on a boat, need a strict low-cost activity, or want extensive time walking ashore. The route is mainly about the yacht and the water, not guided visits to towns or monuments.

The activity is offered in English, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed mobility or boarding specifications. If anyone in your group has access needs, ask before booking.

Weather, cancellation, and final planning

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another 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.

Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time, so keep that in mind when plans shift.

Bring whatever personal items you need for a long day outside, but do not overlook the basics supplied on board: water, soft drinks, snacks, and the water equipment. Confirm the exact berth, fuel surcharge, preferred captain, and any lunch plan before the date arrives.

Should you book the Pershing 40?

Book it if you want a private, unhurried day on the Saint-Tropez coast, especially if you have six to eight people to share the price. The combination of Les Canoubiers, Pampelonne, Cap Taillat, L’Escalet, Cap Camarat, and the Citadel view gives you a broad look at the area without changing hotels or hauling beach gear from one place to another.

The best reason to book is the freedom to shape the day. You can swim at a famous beach, paddleboard in a quieter cove, stop for a view, and ask the captain to adjust the pace. The main reasons to hesitate are the high price and the extra fuel charge.

If you choose it, book well ahead, ask about departing from Marines de Cogolin or another nearby port, and request the captain who best fits your group. For a special occasion or a full family holiday day, this is a strong splurge. For a quick look at Saint-Tropez from the water, choose a shorter and cheaper cruise instead.

FAQ

How long is the yacht charter?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours and starts at 10:00 am.

Where does the boat depart?

The boat is berthed at Marines de Cogolin. Collection from another nearby port may be arranged if requested when booking.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

What equipment is included?

Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are included.

Are food and drinks provided?

Yes. Bottled water, soft drinks, and snacks are provided. Lunch is not listed as an included item.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A fuel surcharge is not included and should be confirmed before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.