Private boat tours of the Calanques from Marseille: how to choose

Marseille was built to be seen from the water. The forts, the basilica on its hill, the white islands in front of the harbour and, further south, the limestone cliffs of the Calanques all face the sea. A private boat with a skipper is the best way to see them, and one of the most searched-for things by visitors. It is also a market where the quality of the experience varies enormously. This page explains how it works, what a fair offer looks like and how to choose.

Where the boats leave from

• Vieux-Port. The historic harbour, in the middle of the city, five minutes from most hotels. Boats leave between the two forts, pass Notre-Dame de la Garde and reach the Château d’If in 20 minutes. This is where our own private boat tour starts.
• Pointe Rouge. The big marina south of the Prado beaches. Twenty minutes closer to the Calanques, so a half day gets you further; twenty minutes from the centre by bus 19 or taxi.
• Cassis. The prettiest departure for the eastern calanques (Port-Miou, Port-Pin, En-Vau), 30 km from Marseille. The public shared boats leave from here too.

What you can see in how long

Three hours from the Vieux-Port is the classic outing: out of the harbour, around the Château d’If, into the coves of the Frioul islands (Ratonneau and Pomègues) for a swim, and back along the Corniche past the Vallon des Auffes and Malmousque. With the light of the late afternoon and an apéritif at anchor, this is what we recommend for a first time.

Half a day adds the first calanques south of the city: the Île Maïre and Les Goudes, Callelongue, and in calm weather Marseilleveyre and Sormiou. Swimming stops depend on the season and the rules of the park.

A full day reaches Morgiou, Sugiton and, from Cassis, the famous En-Vau and Port-Pin. Expect a longer passage, a lunch stop and the possibility of choppier water in the afternoon.

The National Park rules

The Calanques National Park, created in 2012, protects the sea as well as the cliffs. Speed is limited near the coast, anchoring is forbidden on the seagrass meadows that cover most of the shallow bays, several coves are closed to motorboats in summer, and landing is restricted. Jet skis are banned in the core area. Good skippers know which mooring buoys are available and where a swimming stop is allowed on the day; unserious ones promise “we will land at En-Vau” and disappoint you. Ask the question before booking.

What a fair quote includes

A private outing is priced per boat, not per person. For a three-hour trip with a skipper on a 6 to 8 metre motorboat or a small sailing boat from the Vieux-Port, expect several hundred euros for the group in season; a full day on a larger boat runs into four figures. What should be in the price:

• the skipper and the boat, obviously, with the operator’s professional registration and insurance;
• fuel (some operators add it at the end; ask);
• snorkelling masks and towels, or a clear statement that you should bring your own;
• the picnic, brunch or apéritif if advertised, with what exactly is served;
• a written weather policy: what happens with mistral, what is refunded.

What is not usually included: transport to the marina, alcohol beyond an apéritif, the entry to the Château d’If if you land there.

Questions to ask before you pay

1. Is the skipper a professional (French brevet), and is the boat registered for commercial passenger transport?
2. What is the maximum number of passengers, and is our group private or shared?
3. Which route exactly, and what changes if the wind is from the north-west (mistral) or from the east?
4. Where and when do we meet, and how do we find the pontoon?
5. Is the price per boat, all included, in writing?
6. Do you speak English or German on board? Half the pleasure of a boat trip is the explanation of what you are looking at.

Our own offer

We run a three-hour private boat tour from the Vieux-Port with a skipper who has sailed these waters for years and guides who speak English and German. Morning departures come with a brunch and the clearest water; late-afternoon departures with an apéritif and the light on the cliffs. From two to eight guests, swimming stop when conditions allow, full refund if we cancel for weather. Full-day charters towards the Calanques and Cassis are quoted on request. Details and booking: Private boat tour with picnic or apéritif.

If you would rather stay on dry land, the Calanques are also reached on foot from bus 20 and by the summer sea shuttles; see how to get around Marseille.