Lerins Islands (Sainte-Marguerite & Saint-Honorat)

Getting out there, and which island

Most Cannes visitors never leave the seafront, which is a shame, because the best half-day is a short hop offshore. Ferries leave from the Quai Laubeuf jetty near the old port, and the crossing is only about 15 minutes. The catch worth knowing before you pay: different companies serve different islands. One operator runs the boat to Saint-Honorat (the monastery), while others go to Sainte-Marguerite, so read the destination on the kiosk rather than assuming a single ticket covers both. A return runs from roughly €16 to €20.50 depending on island and operator; the fort charges a small extra entry. Hours and fares shift by season, so confirm current hours and prices on the official site.

Sainte-Marguerite is the bigger, greener island: pine and eucalyptus, sheltered swimming coves, and the Fort Royal, the prison that held the Man in the Iron Mask, now the Musee de la Mer. Saint-Honorat is tiny and quiet — a working Cistercian monastery you can loop in about 90 minutes, taking in the abbey church and the fortified seafront monastery.

Planning the day and whether it pays off

To do both well you want a full day: ferry to Saint-Honorat first for the morning calm, then over to Sainte-Marguerite to swim and tour the fort. If you’ve only half a day, pick one — Sainte-Marguerite for a beach-and-history mix, Saint-Honorat for the contemplative walk. Bring water and food, especially on Saint-Honorat, where facilities are minimal, and keep an eye on the last boat back; missing it is the classic mistake.

Is it worth it? Genuinely yes. It’s the bit of Cannes that feels neither glitzy nor crowded, and the contrast between a swim under the pines and a near-silent monastery island is the trip’s quiet highlight. Just don’t try to rush both into a couple of hours.