Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: The Otaduy Guide for Our Clients
· Otaduy Yachts
Every September, the yachting world gathers in one place. The Cannes Yachting Festival opens the Mediterranean season, and for six days the bay of Cannes becomes the largest in water boat show in Europe, with roughly 700 boats and 680 exhibitors spread across two harbours. If you have ever wanted to step aboard the newest models from the world’s leading shipyards, compare them side by side, and do it all with the Croisette as your backdrop, this is the week to do it.
Otaduy will be in Cannes for the 2026 edition, and this guide covers everything our clients need to plan the trip: when to go, how to get there, where to stay, and how to make the most of the show itself.
The Essentials
Dates: Tuesday 8 to Sunday 13 September 2026
Venues: Vieux Port and Port Canto, Cannes, France
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm from Tuesday through Thursday, 10am to 10pm on Friday, 10am to 7pm on Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sunday
Tickets: Sold exclusively online in advance. There are no ticket sales at the entrance, so purchase before you arrive.
Who Is This Show For?
The Cannes Yachting Festival rewards almost every kind of visitor, but it is especially worthwhile if you are:
Actively shopping for a boat. Nothing replaces walking the docks and boarding twenty candidates in a single afternoon. From dayboats and center consoles to 50 meter superyachts, sail and power, new and brokerage, the full market is on display and sea trials can be arranged.
Curious about ownership. If you have chartered with us and are starting to think about owning, Cannes is the single most efficient way to understand what is out there, what things cost, and what fits your lifestyle.
A design and engineering enthusiast. World premieres debut here before anywhere else. The 2026 edition adds a dedicated monohull section and a Power Cat Village at the Vieux Port, and relaunches the Innovation Route highlighting new marine technology.
Simply in love with the lifestyle. Between the Concours d’Élégance parade of vintage yachts in the bay, the Luxury Gallery of high end brands, and the energy of the Riviera in September, the festival is a spectacular experience even if you never intend to buy.
Fair warning: this is a walking show under the September sun. Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunglasses, and note that large bags and suitcases are not permitted inside.
Getting There
Fly into Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE). This is the main gateway to the Riviera, about 27 kilometers from Cannes. Direct flights connect Nice with most major hubs in Europe, the US East Coast, and the Middle East. From the airport, a private car reaches Cannes in roughly 45 minutes, though allow more during show week traffic.
The helicopter shortcut. Regular helicopter shuttles link Nice airport with Cannes in about seven minutes. During show week this is the move that saves your morning, and Platinum ticket holders have a helicopter transfer included.
Private aviation. Cannes Mandelieu Airport (CEQ) sits just west of the city and handles private jets and turboprops, putting you fifteen minutes from the docks.
Getting around Cannes. Once you are there, almost everything happens on foot along the Croisette. A complimentary water shuttle connects Vieux Port and Port Canto for premium ticket holders, which is by far the most pleasant way to move between the two venues.
Where to Stay
Book early. Cannes sells out during show week, and the best addresses are reserved months ahead.
Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel. The grande dame of the Croisette, fully renovated, with a celebrated beach club. You are steps from everything.
Hôtel Martinez. An Art Deco icon in the Unbound Collection, home to the two Michelin star La Palme d’Or and one of the best hotel beaches in town.
Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic. Directly opposite the Palais des Festivals, closest of the palace hotels to the Vieux Port docks.
Five Seas Hotel. A smaller boutique option a few streets back from the port, with a rooftop pool and a more intimate feel.
Beyond Cannes. If you prefer to stay outside the bustle, Cap d’Antibes and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat offer legendary hideaways like the Hôtel du Cap Eden Roc and Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat, both within a 30 to 50 minute drive. Just factor in show week traffic.
Tickets and Access
All tickets are sold online through the official festival site, and it is worth choosing the right tier for how you want to experience the show:
Day tickets start at €40, with a two day pass at €65. Children up to age 11 enter free.
Comfort tickets at €125 add VIP entrances and the sea shuttle between the two ports, which alone justifies the upgrade if you plan to visit both harbours.
VIP and Platinum tickets unlock dedicated entrances, VIP clubs at both ports, concierge service, courtesy cars, and water shuttles. Platinum, priced at €1,560 for two people across all six days, adds a guided boat tour, lunch at a festival restaurant, yacht visits by appointment, and the helicopter transfer from Nice.
If you are visiting with us, talk to us before buying anything. We coordinate access for our clients as part of the visit.
What to Expect at the Show
Vieux Port is the heart of the festival and the stage for the major world premieres. The largest motor yachts line the Jetée and Quai Max Laubeuf, with hundreds of new powerboats arranged by category throughout the harbour, plus the Pantiero area dedicated to equipment and marine technology.
Port Canto, across the bay, hosts the world’s largest display of new sailing yachts, more than one hundred monohulls and multihulls, alongside a brokerage and charter area, a marina of smaller powerboats, and the Toys zone with the latest in water sports equipment. As Fliteboard and Seabob dealers ourselves, we can confirm the Toys area is worth an hour of anyone’s time.
Plan two days minimum. One day per port is the realistic pace if you want to actually board boats rather than just walk past them. Serious buyers should book appointments with shipyards in advance, since walk aboard access to the most anticipated launches disappears quickly.
The Friday late night. The show stays open until 10pm on Friday 11 September, when the docks take on a different energy entirely. Do not miss it.
Make It a Riviera Week
The festival pairs beautifully with the rest of the coast. Monaco is under an hour away, Saint Tropez under two by car and far less by boat, and September is arguably the finest month on the Riviera: warm sea, softer light, and the summer crowds gone. Many of our clients build a full week around the show, with a couple of days at sea before or after. If that sounds appealing, we can help you arrange a charter along the coast.
Visit Cannes with Otaduy
We will be at the festival throughout the week, touring the new launches, meeting with the shipyards we work with, and hosting our clients. If you are planning to attend, let us know. We can arrange private viewings aboard the models that interest you, walk the docks with you, and share an honest perspective built on more than twenty years and twenty thousand charters in Los Cabos.
The 2026 edition runs 8 to 13 September. We would love to see you there.