Prices and offers updated November 2026

Private Boat Hire in Saint-Gilles: skippered, 2026 prices

Get your own boat and skipper for 3 hours off the west coast: a private RIB with Cap Evasion 974, from €400 for up to 12 people, leaving Saint-Gilles port. From age 3.

12passengers max3hat seaAge 3minimum€400per group

Several operators in Saint-Gilles port hire out boats (with or without a skipper), but only one trip can be booked online through my partners: the private skippered boat from Cap Evasion 974, at €400 for 3 hours at sea for up to 12 people.

It's designed for groups (birthdays, hen and stag dos, big family holidays). With 12 people, it's about €33 each for 3 hours at sea on your own boat, rather than sharing a catamaran with strangers. The Cap Evasion 974 skipper (the same team behind the snorkelling trips and tube rides on this site) plans the trip around your group.

My pick

The only boat hire you can book online

A private RIB with a skipper leaving the port of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Reunion IslandGroup charter

Private skippered boat hire (up to 12 people)

A private RIB (rigid inflatable boat) for up to 12 people, with 3 hours at sea and a professional skipper from Cap Evasion 974. Priced per group, not per person.

Duration
3h at sea
Level
Open to all (private group boat)
Min. age
3
Cancellation
Moderate (weather reschedule or refund)
Operator
Cap Evasion 974
Meeting point
Port of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Pontoon D, 97460

Up to 12 people · Skipper included · Private RIB

From
€400/group
Book via Manawa
See the full description

This is the only private skippered boat trip from Saint-Gilles that you can book online. The €400 price is per group, not per person, so the cost per head depends entirely on how many of you there are: with 12 people, it's around €33 each for 3 hours at sea, one of the best-value boat trips on the west coast.

It's run by Cap Evasion 974, also known for its €40 snorkelling trips and €30 towable tube rides from the same Pontoon D in Saint-Gilles port. The boat is a good-sized RIB carrying up to 12 passengers, driven by a professional skipper who plans the trip around your group: cruising along the west coast, looking for marine life depending on the season (dolphins all year, whales from July to October) and stopping for a swim offshore if the sea is calm.

Who it suits: groups of 6 to 12 (birthdays, hen and stag dos, big family holidays, work outings) and couples who want the boat to themselves rather than sharing a catamaran with strangers. Who it doesn't suit: people with disabilities and babies (restrictions are stated on the listing) and groups of 1 to 3, for whom the group price works out too expensive per head.

Manawa price: €400 per group for 3 hours, including the RIB, a professional skipper and fuel. Moderate cancellation policy (free rebooking or a refund if the crew cancels because of bad weather). No pets on board. Bring swimwear, a towel, 100% mineral sunscreen (it's a marine reserve), water, snacks and a cap or hat. Please note: the trip is run in French only.

Operators

Boat hire operators in Saint-Gilles

Cap Evasion 974

My main partner
Port of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Pontoon D

The well-known local operator at Pontoon D, which also runs the snorkelling and dolphin trip (€40) and the towable tube ride (€30) listed on this site. For boat hire, it offers one skippered charter at €400 for a group of up to 12.

Maximum Location (direct booking)

Saint-Gilles, Le Port

An operator that travellers often look up. It isn't available through my Manawa partnership, so book directly on its website. Several options depending on the length of hire and the boat.

Other boat rentals in Saint-Gilles

Port of Saint-Gilles, Le Port

Several operators offer boat hire (with or without a skipper, full or half day) at Saint-Gilles port and Le Port. Prices depend on the boat and the length of hire. Book directly on their websites or through the tourist offices.

Providers

Providers for this activity

These operators have a detailed profile on the site: reviews, catalogue, prices and practical info to book with confidence.

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Frequently asked questions

Your questions about boat hire in Saint-Gilles

How much does boat hire cost in Saint-Gilles in 2026?
Expect €400 per group for 3 hours at sea with a Cap Evasion 974 skipper, on a private RIB for up to 12 people. The price is per group, not per person: with 12 people, that's about €33 each. It's the only private boat trip you can book online through my partners.
Do you need a boating licence?
Not for this trip, as a professional skipper drives the boat. To hire a boat without a skipper, you need a valid coastal boating licence (the French permis côtier or an accepted equivalent: check with the operator). Several operators in Saint-Gilles offer self-drive hire if you book direct; they aren't part of my partnerships.
What's the maximum group size?
12 passengers maximum. For bigger groups, charter a catamaran (see my Saint-Gilles catamaran cruise page) or hire two boats. You'll want at least 6 people to make the group price worthwhile. For 1 to 3 people, go for shared trips priced per person instead (snorkelling €40, catamaran cruise from €35, whale watching €37).
What happens in bad weather?
Manawa's moderate cancellation policy applies: free rebooking or a refund if the crew cancels because of bad weather. Cap Evasion 974 makes the call the evening before or on the morning, depending on the forecast. The coral reef keeps the west coast swell in check up to about 1km out, so most days are fine.
What should you bring?
Swimwear, a towel, 100% mineral sunscreen (chemical filters are banned in the marine reserve), a cap or hat, polarised sunglasses, water and snacks, and a windproof for the fast ride back. Leave jewellery and valuables behind. No pets on board.
How far ahead should you book?
For a group, book 1 to 2 weeks ahead in high season (July-August, school holidays) and 3 to 5 days ahead in low season. The morning slot is the most popular (calmer sea) and goes first. Confirm the exact number of people when you book.

Last updated: 1 November 2026. Prices checked at the time of writing. Confirm the exact price when booking.