Embark at Larmor-Baden to discover our Extreme 40 catamaran

The most exciting part of this outing is the boat itself: a carbon-fiber Extreme 40, a high-performance inshore racing catamaran with only fifteen like it in the world. You are not simply sitting on a sightseeing boat. Antoine and Hugo put you near the action, where you can steer, trim sails, and help with maneuvers. I especially like the access to more than 20 islands and the small group size, which keeps the lesson personal. The main catch is that this is an active sailing trip with no toilets on board, and the boat is not suitable for children under 9 or people over 70.

I also like that beginners are welcome without being treated as passengers who must sit quietly. You can rotate through positions on the two hulls, learn at your own speed, and choose a calmer spot when you want to watch the Gulf slide by. Antoine and Hugo are described as patient, enthusiastic instructors who make the outing friendly as well as sporty.

• Rare racing catamaran: Sail aboard one of only fifteen Extreme 40 boats in the world.
• Hands-on sailing: Try the helm, winches, mainsail, jib, and gennaker under supervision.
• Small group of eight: Four positions are available on each hull, allowing room to move around.
• Gulf of Morbihan access: Choose from a sailing area that includes more than 20 islands.
• Flexible trip lengths: Plan for about three hours on the water for a half-day or six hours for a full day in July and August.
• Simple meeting point: Park free on Rue Gilles Rio, walk about ten minutes to the port, and look for the discreetly marked black van.

Why This Catamaran Is Different

Many boat trips show you a coast from a fixed seat. This one puts you on a machine designed for speed and control. The Extreme 40 is built entirely from carbon fiber, and the boat’s racing purpose shapes the whole outing. You will notice that the crew needs active hands at the sails and helm, not just people taking photos from a deck.

That does not mean you need a sailing background. The trip is open to complete beginners, and a qualified instructor stays close to the helmsman and the person handling the tack. You receive guidance before taking on a task, so you can learn without feeling thrown into the deep end.

I like this setup because it gives you two good ways to enjoy the boat. You can take part in the work, or you can choose a position suited to watching the islands and water pass by. The experience is more flexible than a formal sailing lesson, but it still offers real instruction.

The boat has four positions on each hull. As you move between them, you can learn how the different jobs fit together. You might help hoist the mainsail, jib, or gennaker, steer the catamaran, or adjust sails with one of the six winches. The details matter here: you are learning the practical feel of sailing rather than hearing a short talk about it.

Meeting at Larmor-Baden and Getting Aboard

Your meeting point is beside a discreetly signed black van at the small port in Larmor-Baden. The port is small, so finding the van should be manageable, but arrive with enough time to avoid a rushed start.

The easiest parking option is the free car park on Rue Gilles Rio. From there, allow about ten minutes to walk to the port. A shuttle then takes you from the slipway to the catamaran. That small transfer is useful because the boat is not simply waiting at the main roadside meeting point.

The schedule and other practical details are provided ahead of time. Still, I would keep your phone charged and check the meeting instructions before leaving for Larmor-Baden. A small port can be easier to navigate than a large marina, but it gives you less room for confusion if you arrive at the wrong spot.

Once aboard, you get equipped for sailing. Sailing gear is available to hire, but you should still bring a fleece, windbreaker, spare clothes, and shoes or boots that can get wet. Closed-toe shoes are required, and bare feet are not allowed. Bring a water bottle and a small snack as well, since food and water are not included.

The Weather, Map, and Tide Briefing

Before the boat leaves, the crew explains the weather, map, and tide conditions. This is not filler. In the Gulf of Morbihan, tides shape where the boat can go and how the crew plans each leg.

The briefing gives you a useful picture of the trip before the sails go up. You learn what the crew is watching and why a route may change. It also helps first-time sailors understand that steering and sail trimming depend on wind direction, tide, and the boat’s position.

After the briefing, you help prepare the catamaran. That preparation is part of the lesson. You see the lines, sails, and winches before the boat is moving quickly, which makes the later instructions easier to follow.

I appreciate that the day begins with context rather than a sudden rush into activity. You get time to settle into your equipment and understand the basic plan. The boat is sporty, but the start is structured.

Taking the Helm and Working the Sails

The most hands-on part of the trip comes after the catamaran is ready to sail. You may be invited to steer, adjust the sails, and take part in maneuvers. The six winches give you several ways to help, from managing sail tension to working through the crew’s instructions.

You can experience hoisting the mainsail, jib, and gennaker. Each sail gives you a different job and helps you understand how the catamaran gathers power. The crew remains close to the helmsman and the person handling the tack, which is important for a boat with this much performance.

The position rotation makes this suitable for mixed groups. One person might want to steer, another may prefer to work the lines, and someone else may want a quieter place to watch. You can learn at your own pace rather than compete for the most active role.

The sailing is participatory, but you should not expect to control the trip independently. Antoine and Hugo remain the professional skippers, and their role is especially important on a racing catamaran. You get the feel of piloting and sail trimming while the qualified crew manages safety and navigation.

Exploring More Than 20 Islands

The sailing area offers more than 20 islands to discover. The exact route depends on the day’s weather, tides, and sailing conditions, so you should think of this as an island tour with room to adapt rather than a fixed checklist of stops.

That flexibility is one of the outing’s strengths. A sailing route chosen for the conditions can give you a better experience than a rigid path that ignores the wind. You get to see the Gulf from the water while learning how the natural conditions affect the boat.

Do not expect a series of long shore visits based on the information available. The main activity is sailing around the Gulf, with the islands providing the setting and changing points of interest. The included island tour gives you a broad view of the area, but swimming, meals, and photography are not included.

If you want to swim, bring that expectation down. Swimming is specifically listed as not included, and no details promise a swim stop. The same applies to meals. A small snack and water bottle are sensible because you are responsible for your own refreshments.

Half-Day or Full-Day Sailing

For a half-day outing, allow about three hours on the water. The listed duration is also given as 3 hours 30 minutes, so leave extra time around the sailing itself for the shuttle, equipment, briefing, and preparation.

In July and August, a full-day outing allows about six hours on the water, with the overall activity time listed as about 6 hours 30 minutes. That longer option gives you more time to rotate through sailing positions and enjoy the island-filled Gulf without feeling pressed.

The half-day option is likely the better fit if you are new to sailing, have a tight schedule, or want to test your comfort on a fast catamaran. Six hours is a substantial amount of time on an active boat. The full day makes more sense if you are keen to practice several roles and spend a longer stretch at sea.

The booking information shows a price of $163 per person. That is not a cheap sightseeing cruise, but the comparison is not quite fair. The cost includes a professional skipper, fuel, life jacket, shuttle transfer, instruction, island touring, and active participation. You are paying for access to a rare racing boat and a small-group sailing lesson, not only for transport across the Gulf.

With no more than eight participants, the price also buys a better chance to handle the boat. You should still decide based on your interest in hands-on sailing. If you mainly want a quiet ride and photographs, a regular sightseeing cruise may offer better value. If you want to learn and take part, the price is easier to justify.

What The Small Group Changes

The limit of eight people matters on a boat built for action. There are four positions on each hull, so the group can spread out instead of crowding one small cockpit.

A small group also gives you more opportunities to ask questions and try the controls. You may not spend the whole outing at the helm, but the rotation system gives each person a fair way to participate. It also lets you step back when you want a calmer view.

The two skippers add another useful layer. Antoine and Hugo are both described as passionate sailors who explain things carefully and create a warm atmosphere. Their teaching style is important because the boat’s equipment can seem complicated at first.

Still, a small group does not mean a private charter. You will share the catamaran with other participants, and the time at each station depends on the group. If you want exclusive use, the supplied details do not promise that option.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this outing to adults and older children who want to do more than look at the Gulf from shore. Beginners are welcome, and the trip suits people who like learning by trying a real task with an instructor nearby.

It is also a good match for sailing enthusiasts who want access to an unusual boat. The Extreme 40 is the central attraction, and the opportunity to handle its sails and helm gives experienced sailors something more engaging than a standard harbor cruise.

You need to be comfortable with wet conditions, changing positions, and a boat that is designed for performance. Bring suitable clothing and do not arrive expecting a dry, formal cruise. You also need to accept that there are no toilets on board.

The age limits are clear. Children under 9 are not permitted, and the activity is not suitable for people over 70. Pets, strollers, bikes, handcarts, crutches, explosive substances, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. These rules reflect the limited space and active nature of the boat.

Clothing, Safety, and Small Practical Details

Wear comfortable clothes in layers. A fleece and windbreaker are sensible, even when the day begins warm, since the wind on the water can change how you feel quickly. Pack a complete change of clothes because shoes and clothing may get wet.

Closed-toe shoes are required. Shoes or boots that can get wet are best, and bare feet are not allowed. Biodegradable sunscreen is recommended, along with a water bottle and small snack.

A life jacket is included. A professional skipper handles the trip, and the instructor remains within reach during key sailing positions. You should still pay attention during instructions and follow the crew’s directions, especially when moving around the hulls and using the winches.

Bring a credit card and any required deposit. Photography is not included, so bring your own phone or camera if you want pictures, but protect it from spray. Do not count on buying food or water on board.

Booking Flexibility and Language

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the outing for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Brittany plans depend on the weather or a changing schedule.

Instruction is available in French and English. That makes the outing workable for English-speaking visitors, though some content may appear in its original language. The group remains small, which should help if you need a point explained again.

Starting times depend on availability. Since weather and tides affect sailing, check the available date and time carefully before booking, then follow the instructions provided for the meeting point.

Should You Book This Larmor-Baden Sailing Trip?

Book it if you want a real sailing session aboard a rare, fast catamaran and like the idea of learning by doing. The best reasons are the carbon-fiber Extreme 40, the chance to steer and trim sails, the choice of more than 20 islands, and the patient instruction from Antoine and Hugo.

Think twice if you want a dry boat, onboard toilets, a meal, a swim stop, or a simple ride with no physical involvement. The $163 price makes the most sense when you value instruction and access to the boat itself.

For a first taste, choose the half-day outing. For serious sailing time, choose the full day in July or August. Arrive ready for wind, spray, and active participation, and this can be one of the more memorable ways to see the Gulf of Morbihan.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip meet?

Meet beside the discreetly signed black van at the small port in Larmor-Baden.

Where can I park?

Free parking is available at the car park on Rue Gilles Rio in Larmor-Baden. It is about a ten-minute walk from the port.

Is a shuttle included?

Yes. A shuttle takes you from the slipway to the catamaran.

How long does the activity last?

A half-day allows about three hours on the water, with the overall listed duration around 3 hours 30 minutes. A full-day outing in July or August allows about six hours on the water, with the overall listed duration around 6 hours 30 minutes.

Do I need sailing experience?

No. The trip is open to beginners and experienced sailors.

Can I steer the catamaran?

Yes. You may be invited to steer, adjust the sails, and use the boat’s six winches under the supervision of the professional crew.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in French and English.

Are toilets available on board?

No. There are no toilets on the catamaran.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothes, a fleece, a windbreaker, closed-toe shoes that can get wet, a complete change of clothes, a water bottle, a small snack, biodegradable sunscreen, and a credit card.