An unforgettable 40th birthday on the sublime French Riviera
"How can I surprise my wife for her 40th birthday with something truly memorable?" Such was the exciting request that we received at BeBlue Sailing, a yacht broker and Italian tour operator specializing in sailing holidays.
A real challenge, knowing that the group of friends counted around 40 people coming from all over central and northern Italy. So, why not suggest a long weekend on the French Riviera, in the magnificent archipelago of the Golden Islands, in Porquerolles? Once the location was chosen and immediately acclaimed by everyone, we contacted our trusted partner, Bali Catamarans Charter. Their brand new and fully equipped catamarans, built by the Catana shipyard and based in Port Pin Rolland in the bay of Toulon, proved to be the ideal choice.
And there you go! In the blink of an eye, Giulia's surprise party came to life, leaving all the guests amazed. Thanks to the best skippers and the hostesses/chefs of BeBlue, the group enjoyed a dream mini-vacation and made the queen of the party live an unforgettable experience.
When I received this request for the long weekend of June 2nd, I knew that we had to propose something special. The challenge? To organize a surprise for 40 guests arriving by plane from all over northern Italy.
The selected catamarans, launched in 2025, were fully equipped (generator, watermaker, and premium amenities). Each boat offered a unique experience:
Bali 4.4: Spacious, with generous common areas, perfect for conviviality and the group atmosphere.
Bali 4.2: An excellent balance between space and maneuverability, ideal for comfort and ease.
Bali Catsmart: Modern and clever, designed for lovers of design and smart navigation.
Bali Catspace: Bright, airy, and thought out for celebrations and relaxing evenings on board.
The boarding took place at Port Pin Rolland, a peaceful and uncrowded marina near La Londe-les-Maures. The check-in with Pascal, the base manager, went smoothly.
As soon as we left the dock of Port Pin Rolland, the professional skippers of the BeBlue team were pleasantly surprised. Francesco, skipper on the 4.4, confided to us: "We often expect these very spacious units to be heavy to manage. But the positioning of the helm station and the sail plan moved further back make the boat very maneuverable, even in light wind. It is reassuring for a skipper responsible for many novice guests."
From the very first day at sea, we set a course for Porquerolles, carried by beautiful weather, a slightly choppy sea, and regular thermal breezes. The crossing was the ideal occasion to take the measure of the comfort in navigation. The rigid forward deck quickly imposed itself as a real asset: the lounge area was fully taken over, between moments of relaxation lying in the sun and seated discussions facing the horizon. Despite a light breeze of around a few knots, the boats remained perfectly stable, dry, and maintained a pleasant speed under sail.
Once moored, the guests rented bikes to explore the island's coastal paths, the vineyards, and the white sand beaches, surrounded by the scents of the sea and the Mediterranean scrubland. The afternoon was dedicated to snorkeling. The charter provided masks and fins, allowing everyone to admire the rich underwater life: colorful fish, undulating posidonia, and crystalline water. The pristine beach of Notre-Dame proved to be a privileged place for marine exploration.
Thanks to the modern and spacious kitchens on board, the chefs and hostesses of BeBlue prepared a seafood dinner deserving a Michelin star. From exquisite fish carpaccios to the delicious birthday cake, it was a truly memorable experience. The next day, the route led us to Port-Cros, a protected nature reserve almost untouched by human activity. Here, far from the noise and the crowd, the group enjoyed a peaceful day: refreshing swims, relaxed picnics, and quiet contemplation in the heart of nature.
A beautiful thermal breeze picked up in the afternoon, ideal conditions to launch the "Bali Cup", our friendly regatta. It is at this precise moment that the personalities of each model were revealed:
The BALI Catsmart: With its double helm stations and its compact size, it showed itself to be the liveliest and most reactive. "We have very direct steering sensations, we feel the boat living under our fingers. It is very playful," reported its crew, delighted to be able to sail upwind and tease the bigger boats.
The Bali Catspace, highly appreciated by the group from the beginning of the weekend thanks to harmonized volumes, a bright and well-ventilated saloon, also reveals itself to be a good sailor.
The BALI 4.4: With its clear flybridge and its lowered boom, the BALI 4.4 shows itself to be particularly efficient in maneuvering. On the day of the regatta around Porquerolles, we sailed in a well-established west to northwest wind of 12 to 15 knots, flat sea, and excellent visibility. Mainsail hoisted right from the start, the boat quickly found its rhythm, with a clear acceleration and an excellent balance under sail, perfectly adapted to navigation in regatta mode.
It is finally the BALI 4.2 that wins this leg. In an established northwest wind, it knew how to make the best use of the light airs thanks to a well-balanced sail area. A performance perfectly mastered by its skipper.
That evening, the crews gathered for an aperitif at the anchorage. Once this friendly regatta finished, the pressure fell away to make room for conviviality. In the evening, the "Open Space" concept took on its full meaning. The famous BALI tilting-and-turning door allowed us to instantly transform the saloon and the cockpit into a living space open to the sea. The catamarans rafted up together, subdued lights shining above and below the water, music in the background, and a special toast for Giulia, who couldn't stop smiling. It was clear: everyone would remember this birthday.
Time flew by, but the memories will remain forever. More than a birthday party, it was a true experience of connection, of freedom, of nature, and of beauty. All of this was possible thanks to a well-thought-out plan, a bit of spontaneity, and a strong desire to celebrate life.
Thanks to BeBlue Sailing for the impeccable organization and the professional crew, and to Bali Catamarans Charter for their superb new catamarans!