Wakesurfing, wakeboarding or Inflatable Tows in Bay of St Tropez

The best part of this outing is that you are not simply pulled behind a boat and left to figure things out. Matt and Sirio coach beginners carefully, using the Super Air Nautique 210 to create a wake suited to first attempts and improving riders. You can wakesurf, wakeboard, or choose a large inflatable towable.

I like two things right away: the private format gives your group control over the pace, and the boat time includes boards, buoyancy aids, fuel, and a shorty wetsuit if needed. You also get a fine view of the Bay of St. Tropez, including its famous yachts, while the boat moves between sessions.

The main consideration is time. Two hours sounds generous, but it passes quickly when several people are sharing the boat. The operator recommends 30 minutes of boat time per participant, and beginners may receive only about 15 minutes in the water each once instruction and changing turns are counted.

Key points to know before booking

• A private Super Air Nautique 210 gives your group the boat to itself and produces a wake suitable for beginners through advanced riders.
• Matt and Sirio are hands-on instructors, with clear advice on foot position, balance, and small corrections that help new riders stand up.
• Wakesurfing is usually the gentler starting point for people who find wakeboarding demanding.
• Inflatable towables suit mixed groups, including people who would rather hold on and laugh than learn a board sport.
• Marines de Cogolin is the included departure point, while pickup at St. Tropez, Port Grimaud, or Sainte-Maxime costs an extra €50.
• A longer booking is worth considering if three or more people want meaningful time on the water.

What this private St. Tropez boat outing is really like

This is an active water session with a sightseeing bonus, not a conventional Bay of St. Tropez cruise. You meet at the pontoon at the Régie du Port des Marines de Cogolin, at 36 esplanade de la capitainerie in Cogolin.

From there, the captain takes you into the bay aboard a Super Air Nautique 210. The boat is designed for wake sports, so the focus is on producing a steady wake rather than simply carrying people from one harbor to another. That matters most for beginners. A suitable wake gives you a fair chance to learn instead of making the first attempt needlessly hard.

The trip ends back at the same meeting point. The advertised duration is about two hours, though your usable riding time depends on the number of people, the activity you choose, and how much coaching you need.

You can select one main activity or combine several options. If you want wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and inflatables in the same outing, you need at least two hours of boat time. Be specific when booking, since the captain needs to know which equipment and plan will suit your group.

Choosing between wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and towables

Wakesurfing is the most approachable choice for many first-timers. You start close to the boat, use the rope to get balanced, and then work toward riding the wave with less help from the rope. It still takes effort and coordination, but the learning curve can feel kinder than wakeboarding.

One participant described progressing from not knowing what to do to surfing behind the boat after four sessions. That is useful context: you may stand up quickly, but turning a first success into a controlled ride takes practice. The instruction focuses on practical adjustments, including foot placement and balance.

Wakeboarding asks more of you at the start. You are pulled across the water on a board with bindings, and getting upright requires a good body position. The upside is a more energetic ride once you get going. The operator works with complete beginners, and several first-time riders were able to get up with help from the instructor.

The boat’s wake is suitable for all levels, but that does not mean every beginner will master the sport in one session. Go in expecting a lesson, some falls, and a few useful breakthroughs. If you are patient, the short coaching points can make a real difference.

Inflatable towables are the easygoing option. The boat carries two-, three-, and four-person inflatables, so you can ride together rather than taking turns alone on a board. This works especially well for families and groups with mixed energy levels. Some people can try wakeboarding while others choose the tube, and everyone still shares the same boat outing.

The towable is not a quiet alternative. It is fast, bouncy fun, and you should expect to hold on firmly. It also gives children and adults a way to enjoy the outing without learning a new sport first.

Why the coaching matters for first attempts

The strongest feature of this experience is the teaching. Matt is repeatedly praised for being patient, encouraging, and good at explaining small changes. Sirio receives the same kind of feedback, especially from groups of three or four beginners who returned for another session.

That is important because board sports can become frustrating when instructions are vague. A short session needs a captain who can identify the problem quickly. If your feet are in the wrong position, your weight is too far back, or you pull against the rope, a small correction may be enough to change the result.

The instruction takes place on the boat before you enter the water. You receive a safety briefing and can get an on-boat lesson if needed. You are then fitted with a buoyancy aid, board, and a shorty wetsuit if required.

The supplied information does not specify the full range of sizes or the water temperature, so you should ask if you have special equipment needs. You also need to bring your own drinks, towel, and suncream. Those are not included.

The captain’s attitude seems suited to social groups. The atmosphere is described as friendly and relaxed, with room for advice, jokes, and encouragement. That matters on a private charter because the mood on the boat shapes the whole session. A tense instructor can make beginners hesitate. A calm one makes it easier to try again after a fall.

Making two hours work for your group

The operator recommends 30 minutes of boat time per participant, with one hour as the minimum total booking. This is a useful rule, not just a sales suggestion.

Imagine four people booking two hours. Once the captain explains the technique, fits equipment, starts and stops the boat, and rotates riders, each person may get around 30 minutes of boat time. If everyone needs tuition, actual time in the water may be closer to 15 minutes each during the first round.

That can still be enough for a memorable first attempt, but it may feel short if your whole group wants to improve. Three or more riders should consider booking at least 90 minutes, and a two-hour session makes more sense for a mixed group using several activities.

For a pair of beginners, two hours gives you a fair chance to learn wakesurfing or wakeboarding without rushing. You can alternate attempts, watch each other, and use the captain’s advice between turns.

For a large family or party, the math changes. The towables allow several people to ride at once, which makes the time feel more generous. Two boats were used by one large group for waterskiing, wakeboarding, inflatables, and sightseeing, but that is a larger arrangement and should not be assumed as part of this booking.

If your goal is skill improvement rather than a quick taste, book around the riders who need the most time. A strong wakeboarder may be happy with a few runs, while a complete beginner benefits from repeated starts and corrections.

The Bay of St. Tropez between runs

The setting adds real value. You leave Cogolin and head into the Bay of St. Tropez, where the boat session takes place among warm Mediterranean waters and views toward St. Tropez.

This is not sold as a separate sightseeing cruise, but sightseeing naturally becomes part of the outing. You may see large yachts and the St. Tropez waterfront while waiting for your turn. That makes the time between runs more pleasant, especially for anyone in your group who does not want to ride every minute.

The bay can also be choppy. One group booked in less-than-perfect conditions, and the captain assessed the water before deciding it was safe to continue. Weather and sea conditions are not minor details here. They affect both comfort and the quality of the wake.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it cannot guarantee a perfect riding surface on every scheduled day. If you are focused on learning, ask about the forecast and conditions before setting your expectations.

Equipment, comfort, and what to bring

The charter includes wakeboards, wakesurf boards, buoyancy aids, fuel, and departure from Marines de Cogolin. A shorty wetsuit is available if required. You do not need to arrange board rental separately, which makes the experience simpler for visitors staying around the bay.

You should bring a towel, drinks, and suncream. None are included. Sun protection matters on the water, where reflected light can catch you off guard, especially during a warm afternoon.

The information provided does not state that food is supplied, so plan around the two-hour duration rather than expecting a catered trip. It is also sensible to arrive ready for a wet activity, since even a successful ride ends in the water sooner or later.

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. You need enough strength to hold a handle or inflatable grip, climb back aboard, and repeat the effort several times. Wakeboarding and wakesurfing are not passive boat rides, even though the captain handles the boat.

The price and what you receive for it

The listed price is $1,779 for the private charter package. That is a substantial cost for two hours, so the value depends heavily on group size and how much your group uses the boat.

For a couple booking alone, it is an expensive session. You are paying for a private boat, captain, fuel, instruction, and equipment rather than a seat on a shared excursion. If personal coaching and privacy matter to you, that may justify the price. If you only want a quick ride on an inflatable, a shared activity elsewhere could be cheaper, though this package is not presented as a shared option.

For a family or larger group, the calculation is more favorable because the charter cost is spread across the people aboard. The private setup also means you do not have strangers waiting for their turn or deciding the pace.

Fuel is included, which removes one common extra charge. Departure from Marines de Cogolin is included as well. Pickup from St. Tropez, Port Grimaud, or Sainte-Maxime adds €50, so choose the home port if you want to keep the cost down and can reach Cogolin easily.

The price makes the most sense for a group that will use the boat for more than one purpose: lessons, wakesurfing, wakeboarding, towables, and views of the bay. It is less compelling if only one person plans to ride for a short period.

Who will enjoy this most

This suits active families, groups of friends, couples who want private instruction, and beginners who would rather learn with a captain than teach themselves. It also works well for a birthday outing or a stag group, provided everyone understands that two hours may not allow long individual rides.

The experience is particularly useful for mixed groups. A confident rider can wakeboard, a first-timer can try wakesurfing, and someone else can ride an inflatable. You do not all need the same ability or interest.

The activity is less suitable if you want a relaxed cruise with no physical effort. You will get wet, use your arms and legs, and likely fall while learning. It may also disappoint a group of several serious riders if you book too little time.

The published rating is 5 from 19 ratings, with 100% recommending the experience. The strongest pattern in the feedback is not simply excitement. It is the repeated praise for the captains’ patience, clear coaching, friendly manner, and willingness to adapt the session to the people aboard.

Meeting point, pickup, and cancellation details

The included meeting point is the Régie du Port des Marines de Cogolin, 36 esplanade de la capitainerie, 83310 Cogolin, France. The outing returns there at the end.

Pickup from another port is possible for a fee. The stated €50 surcharge applies to departures from St Tropez, Port Grimaud, or Sainte-Maxime. Confirm the pickup point when you book so you do not arrive at the wrong harbor.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is private for your group only. You may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the St. Tropez water sports charter?

Book it if you want active time on the bay, personal instruction, and the freedom to switch between boards and inflatables. I especially like it for groups with mixed abilities, since the private boat keeps everyone together without forcing every person to wakeboard.

Choose wakesurfing if you want the most approachable board option. Choose wakeboarding if you want a more demanding challenge. Choose the towable if your main aim is shared fun rather than learning a technique.

The key decision is not the scenery. It is the ratio of people to boat time. For two to four participants, a longer session can provide much better value and more chances to improve. For a larger group, plan carefully or expect brief turns.

At $1,779, this is a premium private outing. The price is easier to justify when several people share it and use the boat fully. If that fits your group, the combination of capable equipment, patient coaching from Matt or Sirio, and St. Tropez Bay views makes this one of the more memorable active excursions in the area.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?

The included departure point is the Régie du Port des Marines de Cogolin, 36 esplanade de la capitainerie, 83310 Cogolin, France.

Where does the activity end?

The outing ends back at the meeting point in Marines de Cogolin.

Can I be picked up at another port?

Yes. Pickup from St Tropez, Port Grimaud, or Sainte-Maxime is available for a €50 surcharge.

What water sports can I choose?

You can choose wakesurfing, wakeboarding, or inflatable towables. Two-, three-, and four-person towables are available.

Is equipment included?

Yes. Wakeboards, wakesurf boards, buoyancy aids, fuel, and a shorty wetsuit if required are included. Drinks, towels, and suncream are not included.

How much time should I book per person?

The operator recommends 30 minutes of boat time per participant, with a minimum booking of one hour. If tuition is needed, each person may receive about 15 minutes in the water during a 30-minute allocation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.