BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
Le Lavandou and Cavalaire by boat: the cove coast from Cap Nègre to Cap Lardier
Renting a boat in Le Lavandou or Cavalaire: capes Nègre, Taillat and Lardier, the Escalet and Gigaro beaches — the wild coast between Hyères and Saint-Tropez.
Between the Golden Islands and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez hides the wildest coast in the Var: three capes protected by the coastal conservancy, roadless beaches and water that rivals Corsica. Starting bases: Le Lavandou and Cavalaire.
The three capes
From Cavalaire, head east: Cap Lardier and Gigaro beach, Cap Taillat and its sand isthmus (the star anchorage — arrive early), then the Escalet cove before Cap Camarat — Pampelonne is just beyond. From Le Lavandou: Le Layet beach, Cap Nègre and the Aiguebelle coves.
Why it is special
No development on the capes: this shore looks as it did fifty years ago. The trade-off: regulated anchoring (buoys and anchor zones by sector, protected seagrass) and no provisioning — cool box mandatory.
Levant and Port-Cros opposite
From Le Lavandou, Port-Cros is 30 minutes away: 'wild coast in the morning, underwater trail in the afternoon' is a classic. Levant island (Héliopolis) also welcomes boats — mindful of its naturist customs on the village side.
Budget
RIB €230-450, motorboat €300-550, license-free for nearby waters (€100-200). June and September are glorious here: empty coves, warm water, shoulder prices — the best value window on the entire Var coast.