Discovering Sainte-Marguerite Island: My Itinerary and Practical Tips

On the way, I booked our tickets online for the ferry crossing from Cannes to the little harbour on Sainte-Marguerite Island.

It was incredibly quick and easy: in just two minutes, everything was booked! I received the confirmation by email straight away, and there was another pleasant surprise: the tickets are valid all year round. There is no fixed date or time, so you can choose when you want to leave and return, on any day of the year, including public holidays.

It’s ideal for a stress-free family day out, but also perfect if you decide to visit the island on the spur of the moment, whenever you feel like escaping without having to plan everything in advance.

There are also reduced fares for children, students and seniors. We also benefited from an exclusive discount on each ticket by booking through 

Expérience Côte d’Azur, which is a real bonus, especially when booking for a family or small group.

It helps to keep the cost down, and why not use the savings to treat yourself to an ice cream on the island? Another great reason to book online rather than buying your tickets on the spot!

Once in Cannes, we parked at the Quai Laubeuf car park, right next to the ferry terminal.

Very convenient, especially with children or if you want to avoid walking too far.

Dogs are also allowed on the island and can travel on the ferry free of charge, so we were able to bring Youk along with us!

In June, ferries depart every 30 minutes, so we were able to board almost as soon as we arrived. The crossing is very quick, taking less than 15 minutes — just enough time to admire the view of the Croisette before Sainte-Marguerite Island appears in front of you.

And then… a complete change of scenery.

Just a few minutes from Cannes, you suddenly feel far away from everything, surrounded by peace and nature.

A real escape from everyday life!

As soon as we got off the ferry, we checked the island map to see what there was to do and visit.

The island isn’t very large, only around 2 km, making it easy to explore in a day. No vehicles or even bicycles are allowed. With only a few residents living there, you really get the feeling of being cut off from the outside world.

It feels as though you have travelled much farther away: surrounded by nature and peace, even though you are just 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the Croisette.

We decided to start our day with a visit to Fort Royal, a place steeped in history, and save the beach and swimming for the afternoon.

From the harbour, we headed left along a shaded path leading to the fort. With every step, we could smell the scents of pine and eucalyptus. There is such a peaceful atmosphere on the island — both relaxing and completely different from the mainland.

Visiting Fort Royal is a real adventure, especially for children!

As soon as you enter the former prisoners’ cells, it feels like travelling back in time. My children were fascinated when they discovered the famous cell of the Man in the Iron Mask and tried to imagine what life must have been like for the prisoners.

They loved looking at the graffiti left behind by prisoners, which made the history of the fort feel even more real.

The thick ramparts, witnesses to past battles, spark their curiosity, while the shaded walkways offer beautiful views over the island and the surrounding area — perfect for stopping for a moment and admiring the scenery.

But what really caught my children’s attention was the museum inside the fort, which includes an interactive area dedicated to the island’s marine and terrestrial biodiversity.

The interactive displays helped younger visitors understand Sainte-Marguerite’s unique ecosystem in a fun and accessible way.

It was a great opportunity to combine historical discovery with environmental awareness!

We finished our visit with a walk along the ramparts, enjoying beautiful views over the Bay of Cannes and the Mercantour mountains.

It was a lovely moment that the whole family enjoyed.

The morning flew by, and before we knew it, it was already lunchtime.

We had brought our own picnic, but if you prefer to travel light, there are several places to eat on the island.

Close to Fort Royal, you will find two restaurants: La Guérite, a beach restaurant where you can enjoy Mediterranean dishes, and L’Île Sainte-Marguerite, another friendly place for a relaxed meal.

Near the harbour, there are also refreshment stands and sandwich stalls if you want something quick and convenient.

We decided to head back towards the ferry terminal. On the map, we had spotted some shaded picnic tables. There are also more tables in the north-east of the island.

It was the perfect place for a lunch break beneath the pine and eucalyptus trees.

Before heading to the beach, we made a short detour to the Batéguier Pond bird reserve.

Located on the western side of the island, this protected area is a true paradise for birds.

We stopped at the observation point, a small wooden shelter that is perfect for watching the many species found here.

More than 130 species have been recorded, many of which are protected. Depending on the season, you may spot grey herons, common terns and even a few rarer species.

The children loved pretending to be explorers and wildlife photographers, trying to capture pictures of the fascinating birds around them.

A lovely little adventure for the whole family!

We then headed towards the island’s small wild coves for a well-deserved swim.

The turquoise, crystal-clear water was simply impossible to resist.

On the south side of the island, opposite the forest house, you can discover the underwater sculptures, standing two meters tall, created by Jason deCaires Taylor.

Installed in France’s first underwater ecomuseum, these six stone faces were made from environmentally friendly material and reference the Man in the Iron Mask, while also paying tribute to cinema, the seventh art and one of Cannes’ greatest symbols.

Wearing our masks, we swam out to the statues, which are quite close to the shore — ideal for children around age 9.

On the main beach, you can also rent kayaks and paddleboards if you would like to explore the surrounding coastline.

Unfortunately, it was already time to head back to the mainland.

The children hadn’t forgotten about the ice creams, so we stopped at the refreshment stand before boarding the ferry.

At 6:30 pm, we took the last ferry of the day.

The journey back to Cannes was peaceful, and everyone was tired after such a wonderful day. I’m sure we all slept well that night!

I’m so happy to have finally discovered this beautiful island.

We only explored part of it, but that gives us the perfect excuse to come back and discover the rest.

I think visiting outside the summer season — in spring, autumn, or even on a sunny winter day — would be perfect for exploring all the walking trails and discovering the whole island on foot.

I have also been told about the beautiful winter sunsets you can see from the boat on the way back to Cannes.

I would really love to experience that!

I certainly won’t wait as long before coming back.

See you soon, dear Sainte-Marguerite Island!

And as the ferry operates year-round, it really is an ideal place to visit out of season and away from the crowds.

• Ferries operate year-round, including during school holidays and public holidays.
• Best time to visit: the shoulder season is ideal for avoiding both the crowds and the heat. During the high season, consider leaving early in the morning to enjoy the island while it is still quiet.
• Online booking: save time and enjoy promotional fares on every ticket! Book through Expérience Côte d’Azur.
• Parking: the car park is located at Quai Laubeuf in Cannes, right next to the ferry terminal.
• Bicycles and cars: not allowed on the island.
• Dogs: allowed both on the island and on the ferry.
• What to bring: comfortable shoes (the paths are unpaved), hats, sunscreen, water, swimwear, a mask and snorkel, and water shoes for the rocky coves. Above all, remember to stay well hydrated, especially during summer.
• Food: there are 2 restaurants and 2 refreshment stands on the island.
• Picnic tables: several tables are available on the western and north-eastern sides of the island, ideal for an outdoor lunch.
• Activities: Fort Royal Museum, Batéguier Pond, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking/paddleboarding and walking.
• Protect the environment: do not leave any rubbish behind. Take it with you, or use the provided bins to prevent waste from ending up in the sea.
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I hope the story of our day on Sainte-Marguerite Island will inspire you to discover — or rediscover — this beautiful place.

And if you are planning your own day trip, don’t forget to book your ferry crossing for a day just as enjoyable as ours!

Book my ferry tickets!