Marseille Boat Tours

One of the best things to do in Marseille are boat trips, both in the city's bay and in the surrounding communities. This has to do with the fact that Marseille is a port city and the sea has always been a very important element for this community.

In this article I will talk about the best options for boat trips in Marseille. In addition, you will find out everything you need to know to enjoy this experience in the most logistically and financially favourable way and learn about some of the things to see and do in Marseille.

The Parc National Des Calanques is one of the most important natural sites in the south coast region of France as well as in the metropolitan area of Marseille. In fact, if you look at the map of this city you can see that this geological formation stretches for about 20 km in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Calanques are a kind of coves that have become a favourite destination for Marseillais, tourists and other inhabitants of this part of France because of their calm turquoise waters. They extend inland into the mountains like Norwegian fjords and are the perfect escape from the high summer temperatures.

Now, this boat trip usually lasts for several hours so that the people who participate in this tour, which is one of the best tours in Marseille, can enjoy this natural scenery to the fullest. In addition, its sailing itinerary usually allows people to enjoy the national park for a couple of hours uninterrupted.

It is most often a catamaran and, depending on the characteristics of the contracted service, it is likely to be a shared experience or reserved for a single family group. This is as long as there is a minimum number of 12 to 15 people. You should also be aware that on most occasions drinks and brunch are usually provided.

Interesting details

• Price: the price per person for a boat trip with these characteristics is usually more than 150 euros. If the prices are lower then it is very likely that we are talking about a large boat with a capacity for more than 25 or 30 people.
• Duration: the duration of a trip to this national park departing from the bay of Marseille is usually at least 5 hours.
• Means of transport: it is possible to take a catamaran or a sailing boat. Motor-driven boats are also common.
• Advantages of this option: this national park is one of the major natural attractions in Marseille and in the south of France. This is no mean feat considering that it is one of the most beautiful regions in the whole country.
• Disadvantages of this option: definitely not very affordable rates for those on a tighter budget.

Alternatively, you may just want to explore Marseille and its coastline on a short tour that focuses on visiting the most iconic sites of the bay. This type of tour usually takes place throughout the day, but without a doubt the most interesting ones are those that take place at sunset because they offer privileged views of this imposing city.

The basic sites that usually form part of the itinerary of this type of tour are the beaches that are found along the southern end of the city, starting with the Catalans' beach and going all the way to the Red Bridge. This allows participants to enjoy a very pleasant perspective of this part of the city centre of Marseille.

Moreover, the island of the Château d'If and the island of Ratonneau are other basic parts of this type of itinerary. You should know that this type of tour is significantly shorter than the Calanques tours, but at the same time it is more suitable for all seasons of the year. Especially for those who have little time to enjoy all the wonders that Marseille has to offer.

In fact, for this reason, the walks along the coast of Marseille and the islands closest to the old port of the city, are one of those ideal plans for those who have a four-day trip to Marseille. Especially because they are an activity that can take up part of the day while the rest of the day can be devoted to visits to other major attractions on the mainland.

Interesting details

• Price: these types of boat trips tend to be a little cheaper and the average fare is around 70-80 euros per person. There may be cheaper experiences, but you would be talking about a much larger boat for a larger number of people.
• Duration: a trip along a similar route to the one I have described in the Bay of Marseille usually lasts about two hours at the most. It may take a little longer if you include dinner on board.
• Means of transport: catamarans and sailing boats can be used, but it is much more common to choose a small conventional motor boat for short trips.
• Advantages of this option: it is much more favourable for people with less time and a tighter budget.
• Disadvantages of this option: after half an hour, the idea of being on a boat that you will never get off until you return to the embarkation point can be overwhelming. Especially if it is a boat with too many people.

There is a third alternative for those who wish to spend much more time in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This is a sailing trip over two nights and three days which would include a snorkelling session as well as a kayaking session.

Such an experience is reserved for a very limited number of people, usually no more than eight participants. You should know that the sailing itinerary changes all the time, but the most common is to sail along all the coasts around the Marseille metropolitan area passing through places such as Les Goudes, Morgiou and Port Pin.

This is an activity that includes meals and drinks in an intimate and exclusive atmosphere. But you should know that you are fully responsible for your own expenses at each of the stops you make on the itinerary around Marseille.

The starting point of the activity is usually the old port of the city and it is also usually the point of return. When touring the areas closest to Marseille, the Frioul Islands and the Château d'If are usually part of the itinerary.

Details of interest

• Price: The average price is around 300 euros although it is possible to go as low as 270 euros.
• Duration: the tour as such usually takes around 70 hours. The boat usually leaves the port at 10am and returns at the same time after spending two nights at sea.
• Means of transport: It is almost always a sailing boat, but it can also be a catamaran with cabin.
• Advantages of this option: it is the ideal option for those who are eager to sail for as long as possible around the Mediterranean.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you have little time to get to know Marseille then this is a very limiting and significantly expensive alternative.

There is also the possibility of touring the south coast of Marseille with a much more sporty and extreme approach. There are some boat tours that are specifically geared towards participants having a long kayaking session in the calm waters of the Calanques. As well as a good snorkelling session in the crystal clear waters of this national park.

At the same time there is the fact that these boat tours in Marseille stand out because they offer the possibility to get to know the small port of Cassis from the shore. Cassis is a nearby fishing village with a thriving wine industry and is located at the western end of the Des Calanques National Park.

As with the rest of the Marseille boat tours, they are likely to take place on both catamarans and sailboats. Although in busy tourist seasons, larger capacity boats may be available so that several family groups can take part in the experience at the same time.

Details of interest

• Price: the price of a boat trip with these characteristics is quite similar to the other alternatives I have mentioned. They usually cost around 180 or 200 euros per person if they include drinks and snacks.
• Duration: the duration of these boat trips is usually around 4 or 5 hours in total, although it all depends on the wind speed as well as the number of participants.
• Means of transport: it is most likely to be a sailing boat, but it is also possible that it is a small tourist cruiser with a capacity for 30 to 40 people.
• Advantages of this option: this alternative is ideal for those who wish to exercise a little by navigating the calm waters of Las Calanques with a safe kayak trip.
• Disadvantages of this option: The entertainment of this activity is very much geared towards the snorkelling session and the kayak ride. So if you don't plan to participate in these two things then this is not a recommended part of the plan.

You have at your disposal different alternatives to book a boat trip in Marseille, no matter what the characteristics of this tour are. One of them can be to book this service in a tourist agency in the city. These may be in high demand during the high season.

However, the best alternative of all will always be to book online. Especially because online you have the possibility to cancel your purchase for free in most of the occasions as well as to observe the reviews of other customers about the experience you are about to book.

In fact, nowadays most of the tourist services in cities like Marseille are booked through the Internet. Therefore, if you decide to opt for one of the best bike tours in Marseille, it is also likely that the best alternative you have at your disposal is on an online platform.

If you want to talk about the duration of the boat trips in Marseille, you should know that they will always be approximate references. Each boat trip is unique because it depends on the swell of the moment as well as the wind speed. These two factors determine the speed at which the boat sails.

In any case, it can be said that boat trips in Marseille that focus only on the bay usually last a maximum of three hours, while trips that reach other nearby places such as the national park Des Calanques or the coastal town of Cassis usually last a minimum of 5 hours.

The first thing you need to know about the scenery you'll see on this type of boat trip is that you'll have a panoramic view of the Marseille skyline for much of the trip. Depending on your tastes and interests this can be a real privilege, as Marseille is one of the great French metropolises and without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities on the Mediterranean coast of this country.

On the other hand, on the boat trips that go a little further away from the bay of Marseille you will find a slightly different landscape. It will be much more natural and mostly composed of rocky coasts with some prominent cliffs. This is quite logical and understandable, as much of the Côte d'Azur has significant relief due to its proximity to the French Alps.

Anyway, if you are interested in the idea of further exploring the natural beauty that characterises this region in the south of France then you should be interested in finding out how to get from Marseille to Avignon. Especially since this trip offers you the opportunity to enjoy different landscapes while exploring the most important and beautiful cities of this part of the country.

There are a number of tips to bear in mind when taking a boat trip in Marseille, but one of the most important will always be to make sure you don't forget your sunscreen. On this type of trip the sun's incidence is much more significant, as the UV rays bounce off the surface of the water and reach your skin with greater intensity.

The next tip I can give you to make the most of your boat trip in Marseille is to eat enough before the experience. This is especially true if we are talking about a tour that does not include drinks or snacks. The truth is that being in the middle of the sea hungry can be quite an uncomfortable experience for both children and adults.

Finally, the other recommendation that is usually made is that you should always book this service in advance for the date and time that suits you best. This is because we are talking about one of the best things to do in Marseille in summer and the hundreds of thousands of tourists who come to the city during this time of the year will be just as keen to take part in this activity.

Giving a specific figure for the cost of a boat trip in Marseille can be a very complicated task because the prices of this tourist service vary depending on the time of year. They also vary according to the number of participants and activities included in the itinerary.

The most common is that if the tour includes drinks and meals, the price exceeds 80 or 90 euros per person. In turn, if a guide specialising in the history of the city is included, the prices will also exceed these figures.

The prices are also higher on longer trips, which is logical, as being on a boat for five or six hours is not an economical experience anywhere in the world. Especially if they are comfortable boats that are reserved for a very limited group of people. In this case, fares can be around 150 euros per person.

So my recommendation is to always go for the cheapest alternative. Especially knowing that food and drinks can be enjoyed to a greater extent and with better quality through the best gastronomic tours in Marseille, which offer you the opportunity to explore with your palate the cultural identity of this place.

Among the reasons why it is advisable to take a boat trip in Marseille is the fact that this is a city where the sea and its port have always been the two most important elements for its economic prosperity as well as for its historical relevance.

So sailing the waters of the bay allows you to live the Marseille experience at its best. At the same time, it is also a very suitable activity for the whole family. In fact, it is one of the best things to do in Marseille with children, as it is an entertaining plan for people of all ages and with all kinds of interests.

Among the advantages of taking part in a guided tour versus renting a boat to sail around the bay of Marseille on your own is the financial savings. Renting a boat with a capacity of four or six people in the port of Marseille for a couple of hours can easily exceed 1000 euros. You'll also need to have all the relevant sailing permits.

However, if you're too keen to experience the opportunity to tour Marseille and its attractions on your own by land, you can make use of public transport or Marseille' s best Hop On Hop Off buses which follow a fixed, pre-established route, but are very convenient for getting from end to end of the city's most touristy area.