Every year in May, Cannes changes its pace. The Croisette fills up, yachts line up at Port Canto, and demand explodes. But amidst this excitement, there's another way to experience the Festival: from the sea, aboard a privatized yacht, far from the crowds. Clapi Boats offers boats based in Port Canto or the old port of Cannes, right in the heart of the action, and provides Yacht events during the Cannes Film Festival at sea or at anchor, for groups of all sizes.
Why the Cannes Film Festival is the perfect time to rent a yacht
The Festival transforms Cannes into the world capital of glamour for two weeks. It's also the time when the bay of Cannes is at its most beautiful, with May, generous sunshine, calm seas, and perfect light. For those who want to experience the Festival outside the usual avenues, a yacht offers something that neither hotels nor terraces can provide: a privatized space, facing the Croisette, with the show unfolding before you.
Imagine: a cocktail aboard a yacht in the Old Port, with a direct view of the bay where the world's largest yachts are docked, music, cocktails, and the freedom to sail to the Lérins Islands if you wish. It's a way to experience the Festival that few people know about, and that your guests won't soon forget.
Practical side: Clapi Boats is located between the Port Canto and the Old Port, the reference ports during the Festival. Our yachts are a two-minute walk from the Palais des Festivals. No logistics, no transfers; you board, and the Festival begins.
Two formats for two atmospheres
Daytime cruise, festival getaway
The festival is intense. Screenings, meetings, parties back to back. Between two events, a Yacht trip is the best way to blow. Head for the Lérins Islands, Swimming in a turquoise cove 20 minutes from La Croisette, lunch at La Guérite, returning in the late afternoon for the evening. A real moment of decompression in an exceptional setting.
- Navigation skills up to 29 passengers (yacht): ideal for a small VIP group
- Anchoring capability : up to 36 passengers: the group can be increased via the tender from the anchorage
- Format half-day, full-day, or sunset cruise at the end of the day
- Ideal for Production teams, delegations, VIP clients, media, participating brands at the Festival
The evening at the quay, the private reception with a view of the harbor
For larger events, our yachts remain docked at Port Canto and transform into exclusive reception venues. The decks become cocktail areas, the quay can be set up as an extension, and the view of the bay, with superyachts from around the world as a backdrop, serves as a setting that no room can match.
- EVA at Port Canto up to 90 people on the quay, perfect for a networking cocktail, a launch, an afterparty
- MATSU at Port Canto : up to 60 people on the quay, more intimate, ideal for a gala dinner or a client party
- Format Evening from 3 to 5 hours, or full day with cocktail in the evening
- Ideal for : film studios, festival partner brands, communication agencies, companies hosting during the fortnight
The two formats can be combined: an exclusive daytime cruise for a select group, followed by a larger evening reception at the dock. This is the ultimate festival package.
Yacht Capabilities: At the Dock, At Anchor, Underway
Many of our clients don't realize that the same yacht can accommodate very different group sizes depending on the configuration. Here's how it works, using one of our high-capacity boats as an example: the Cheoy Lee 35 :
| Configuration | Definition | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Navigating | The yacht is underway. Most restrictive regulatory capacity. | 29 passengers |
| At anchor | The yacht is at anchor, engines stopped. Slightly higher capacity, access via tender. | 36 passengers |
| Docked | The yacht is moored at the port. Maximum capacity, direct access from the dock. | ~90 people |
This flexibility allows for the organization of much larger events than one might imagine, such as a 90-person cocktail reception on the quay followed by an exclusive cruise for 20 VIP guests, for example. Contact us with your brief, and we'll build the setup that perfectly matches your event.
What Clapi Boats organizes for you during the Festival
We operate like a luxury concierge for the entire fortnight. You describe your vision to us, we'll take care of everything:
- Festival caterer Premium finger food, seafood platter, wines, signature cocktails, onboard bartender
- Branding and decor staging in your brand's colors, signage, flowers, ambient lighting
- DJ and entertainment to transform the bridge into a dance floor with a view of the Croisette
- Photo and video Professional content for your social media and communication materials
- Transfers private van transfers from your hotels to the Port Canto jetty
- Water activities Seabob, e-foil, paddle for day cruises
Do you have a specific, unusual, or last-minute request? We look, we find. That's our way of working.
An example of a successful festival day
10:30 AM: Boarding at Port Canto
Your team boards directly at the pontoon. Welcome aboard, quick installation, the yacht is ready and configured according to your brief. Departure is without delay, right in the heart of the Festival's operations.
11:00 AM: Navigation to the Lérins Islands
Head for the Lérins Islands. In about twenty minutes, the Croisette recedes and the pace changes. An ideal moment for a chat in a calmer setting, far from the hustle and bustle of the Festival.
12:30 PM: Lunch at La Guérite
Arrival at Sainte-Marguerite for lunch at La Guérite. Direct access by tender, table reserved in advance. A structuring moment of the day, both informal and conducive to discussion.
3:00 PM: Mooring and free time
Return on board and anchoring in a cove of Cap d'Antibes. Swimming, water activities, or relaxation time depending on the itinerary. The pace adapts to the group.
5:00 PM: Navigation back to Cannes
Return to Cannes in the late afternoon. Ideal light on the bay, a perfect setting to capture images or simply enjoy the moment before the events resume.
6:00 PM: Return to Port Canto
Disembarking. The group returns, available, refocused, ready to move on to the evening or the festival appointments.
That's exactly it, a day unlike any other during the Festival. No queues, no noise, no crowds. Just your group, the sea, and the French Riviera in May.
Cannes in May: Why the Sea is Even Better During the Festival
May is often the best month to sail the French Riviera. The sea is calm, the temperatures are perfect (25-28°C), the light is golden, and the coves are not yet overrun by summer tourists. During the Festival, when the Croisette is crowded, the Lérins Islands are a 20-minute sail away and often nearly deserted. It's a magnificent paradox: the time when Cannes is busiest in town is also one of the best times to sail around.
For film and communication professionals who are rushing from meeting to meeting and party to party, a morning or afternoon at sea is often what keeps them going for the entire fortnight. Our most regular clients during the Festival are not here to watch films; they are here to entertain, network, and enjoy the setting. The yacht has become their mobile headquarters.
Who is it for?
Yacht events during the Cannes Film Festival cater to very different profiles:
- Studios and distributors a private cruise for the film crew, an evening at the dock for partners and the press
- Brands and sponsors a private space to host your clients and partners in a setting that reflects your image
- Communications and PR Agencies : organize a memorable activation for your clients attending the Festival
- Companies that receive take advantage of the Festival to bring together your teams or clients in an exceptional setting
- VIP Individuals A group of friends or family in Cannes during the Festival, who want an out-of-the-ordinary day away from the crowds
Whether you're here for business or pleasure, the experience is the same: total exclusivity, breathtaking views, absolute freedom.
Book now, availability is limited
The Cannes Film Festival lasts two weeks, but the best slots, especially in the evening and on the large yachts, go quickly. Smaller boats still have availability, but for important events (EVA, MATSU, groups of 50+ people), you need to book several weeks in advance.
Send us your brief now: desired date, number of guests, format (cruise / dockside party / combination), desired atmosphere. We will respond within 48 hours with a tailor-made proposal.
FAQ – Yacht during the Cannes Film Festival
Do you need to be accredited for the Festival to rent a yacht?
No. Renting a yacht at Port Canto is independent of Festival accreditations. You can organize your event on board without needing a badge or an invitation. The yacht is your private space, open to the bay but completely independent of the Festival.
Can you see celebrities from the yacht?
Port Canto is the main port of the Festival. The superyachts of producers, actors, and distributors are moored there throughout the fortnight. From your boat, you have a direct view of this unique concentration of exceptional yachts, a spectacle in itself.
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival dates are May 12-23, 2026.
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival (79th edition) will be held from May 12 to 23, 2026 at the Palais des Festivals. Demand for yachts is highest during this period, especially for the weekends of May 16-17 and 23, and for award ceremony evenings. The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have in the fleet.
Can we organize a screening or presentation on board?
Yes, under certain conditions. For a presentation or a pitch on board, we can install a screen and a sound system on the deck or in the indoor lounge. For a true film projection, the technical constraints on board are more significant; please contact us to assess feasibility based on your project.
What budget should be planned for a festival event?
A small group cruise (up to 12 people) starts around €3,000 to €5,000. An evening docked for 50 to 90 guests with catering and entertainment generally ranges from €15,000 to €25,000 depending on the level of service. Each event is custom-made., Contact us for a custom quote.
Experience the Cannes Film Festival like never before
La Croisette seen from the sea, aboard a privatized yacht, champagne in hand and the Festival shining in the background, is an experience few have lived and no one forgets. Whether you come for business or pleasure, Clapi Boats offers you the best seat at the Festival: on the water.
👉 To organize an event during the Festival, consult our dedicated page on yacht events on the Côte d'Azur
See also: Our entire fleet available · Yacht Rental Price Guide · All our events on the French Riviera
