Beaches in Cannes
Cannes has miles of sandy beaches, where you can find beautiful bays in the Mediterranean Sea and bask in the warm sun. Although Cannes has lots of beaches, many of them are private, if not the vast majority. Almost all of these private beaches belong to luxury hotels in the area. The beach, Plage de la Croisette, is a notable example of a lovely beach which extends between the Vieux Port and the Port Canto. Although the beach is not strictly private, you can enjoy it alongside guests from the hotels, Noga Hilton, Martinez, Carlton, or The Majestic but you must pay an entrance fee of about £20 which covers your deck chair and sun umbrella hire.
Cannes' municipal beaches are attractive but they get very crowded in summer. You'll find them in the far eastern and western sides of the city.
Islands around Cannes
If you prefer a quieter beach, try some of the nearby islands.
The "Iles de Lérins" is a little archipelago just off the coast of Cannes and part of the town of Cannes. The archipelago accommodates the small islands of Saint-Honorat and Sainte-Marguerite and the two tiny islands of St-Féréol and Tradelière.
Ile Sainte Marguerite is the biggest island. The island has a big pine and eucalyptus forest. The port, where the ferryboat lands, has cafés, pubs, a disco and restaurants, and it's a little walk to the Fort Royal where you can visit the cell where the famous Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned.
Ile Saint Honorat is the small island, located about 30 minutes by ferry from Cannes. Although the island is not very big, it offers some pleasant walks and there's a fantastic Cisterian abbey which is worth exploring.
Getting to the islands near Cannes
Ferry excursions to the islands leave from Cannes don't take long. It
takes about 15 minutes to get to Saint-Honorat and 30 minutes to get
Sainte-Marguerite. Return ferry tickets typically cost between £5 and
£15 pounds. Most of the islands are 'pedestrian friendly' in that they
do not offer entry to visitors with cars or motorbikes.