“SLOW” CRUISING
“SLOW” CRUISING, A NEW TREND AT THE 49TH CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL
Inspired by slow tourism, “slow cruising” is emerging as a major transformation in the boating sector. Driven by environmental transition, a search for authenticity, and evolving boaters’ expectations, the race for speed is gradually giving way to pace, mindfulness, and the quality of the experience. Figures reflect this shift: according to a study by the French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN), 72% of sailors now want to slow down their pace, 65% aim to reduce fuel consumption, and 58% express frustration with rigid itineraries. From September 8 to 13, 2026, for its 49th edition bringing together 680 exhibitors and 700 boats, the Cannes Yachting Festival will embrace this underlying trend.
Marinas driving responsible navigation
Slow boating does not rely on good intentions alone; it requires adapted infrastructure. By providing a well-connected network of stopovers, marina networks allow boaters to prioritize coastal cruising, adapt their routes to weather conditions, and reduce systematic engine use. These structured stopovers help distribute visitor flows more evenly, limit pressure on sensitive anchorage zones, and turn ports into gateways to local culture. The presence at the Cannes Yachting Festival of committed networks and destinations—such as Catalonia, Sardinia, D-Marin, IGY Marinas, Tunisia, and Barbados—illustrates the desire to make stopovers a strategic component of sea travel.
“Slow boating meets a very concrete expectation: giving time back to sea travel and space to the territories explored. The boats, as well as the marina networks and destinations attending this year, demonstrate how the journey and stopovers are essential components of the nautical experience, serving a more responsible, local, and eco-conscious way of sailing,” explains Constance Brément, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival.
A new generation of boats on the pontoons
At the Vieux Port and Port Canto, this philosophy also takes shape through pioneering vessels designed for coastal cruising and extended stays. Jeanneau’s Sea Loft 480 redefines coastal cruising with its hybrid/electric propulsion and dedicated solar panels for recharging at berth. In another style, Caelum 1029’s Oasis Meu Amor offers an autonomous house boat designed to live on the water rather than just cross it, while the Aventura 37 Explorer highlights the rise of fuel-efficient catamaran trawlers built to value the itinerary over speed.
