A visit to the Cannes Yachting Festival is easy to enjoy and surprisingly easy to waste. Between tickets, travel, appointments, two harbours and a crowded seafront, a few forgotten details can cost you hours. This checklist gathers everything in the order you will need it, from the bookings to make months ahead to the follow-up that turns a pleasant day into a real result. Keep it on your phone and tick items off as you go.
- Choose your dates, weekdays for serious viewings, weekend for the atmosphere
- Book flights to Nice Côte d’Azur and decide how you will reach Cannes
- Reserve accommodation in Cannes or along the train line
- Buy e-tickets on the official website, the only place they are sold
- Check entry rules, passport validity, the EU Entry/Exit System checks and the status of the future ETIAS authorisation
- Arrange travel insurance covering the dates of your trip
- Sign up to the festival newsletter for exhibitor lists and offers
The weeks before, prepare your visit
Bags larger than A3 size, around 40 by 30 centimetres, are not allowed inside the show, so travel light and choose each item carefully. A small crossbody bag or a slim backpack is ideal, as it leaves your hands free for handrails and gangways. Here is what is worth packing for a full day on the pontoons.
Comfort
Flat shoes that slip off easily, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen. The quays offer little shade, and you will remove your shoes many times a day, so avoid laces and buckles.
Connection
Your phone with tickets saved offline, a compact power bank, business cards and a notebook to record the details of each yacht you visit.
Water and extras
A reusable water bottle, a light layer for the evening breeze and a small amount of cash for cafés or tips. Leave suitcases and large backpacks at the hotel or in a left-luggage service.
During the show, stay on track
Keep a steady rhythm
Arrive for the 10am opening, start with your priority boats and leave the browsing for later. Use the free sea shuttles between harbours rather than walking at midday, and build in a proper lunch break away from the busiest terraces. If your energy dips, a coffee in the old town works wonders. On Friday, the show stays open until 10pm, which makes it ideal for a late session. Check the shuttle times before crossing the bay late in the day, so you are not caught at the wrong harbour at closing time.
Take notes as you go
After each yacht, jot down the model, the broker’s name, the price discussed and what you liked or disliked. Photos help, but only if you can match them to the right boat later. Ask for brochures to be emailed rather than carried, and keep business cards in one place. The insider tips for first-timers include more ways to make the day count.
After your visit, follow through
The next 48 hours
Sort your notes while your memory is fresh, ideally on the evening of your visit or on the flight home, then rank the yachts or contacts that matter and send follow-up emails mentioning where you met and the agreed next step. If you discussed a sea trial, a quote or a second viewing, confirm it in writing. Sharing your notes with a partner or adviser at this stage also helps you see the options more clearly, and keeps the decision grounded.
The weeks that follow
Compare offers calmly at home, away from the excitement of the pontoons, ask for full specifications and, for a purchase, consider an independent survey and a sea trial before committing. Ask about delivery times, warranty and after-sales support as well as the price. If you liked the experience, note what worked and book next year’s hotel early, before the best rooms go.
Make next year even easier
A second visit to the festival is usually far more productive than the first, simply because you already know the layout, the timing and the people. Capture that knowledge while it is fresh. Note which hotel location suited you, how long it took to move between harbours, which restaurants were worth it and which days felt too crowded. These details will shape a smoother trip next time, and they make excellent advice for friends or colleagues planning a first visit.
It is also worth keeping in touch with the brokers and shipyards you met. Many offer private viewings, sea trials or invitations to future events, and a friendly message before the next show can secure a priority appointment. With the 50th edition coming in 2027, a little preparation will go a long way. When the time comes to choose a base, our guide on where to stay during the Cannes Yachting Festival will help you start on the right foot.
