Boat Trips in Marseille

One of the best things to do in Marseille is to take a boat trip, either around the city's bay or to nearby 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 available for boat trips in Marseille. You will also discover everything you need to know to enjoy this experience in the most convenient way for your logistics and budget, learning about some of the things you can see and do in Marseille.

The Calanques National Park is one of the most important natural areas on the southern coast of France, as well as in the Marseille metropolitan area. In fact, if you look at a map of the city, you can see this geological formation stretching for about 20 km into the Mediterranean Sea.

The Calanques are a series of coves that have become a favourite destination for locals, tourists and other visitors to this part of France thanks to their calm turquoise waters. They extend inland like Norwegian fjords and are the perfect escape from the high summer temperatures.

However, you should know that this boat trip usually lasts several hours so that those taking part in this tour, which is one of the best tours in Marseille, can enjoy this natural setting to the full. In addition, the sailing itinerary usually allows people to enjoy the national park for a couple of hours without interruption.

The most common type of boat is a catamaran and, depending on the characteristics of the service contracted, it is likely to be a shared experience or reserved for a single family group. This is provided that there is a minimum number of 12 to 15 people. You should also know that drinks and brunch are usually included.

Details of interest

• Price: the price per person for a boat trip of this type is usually over £150. If the prices are lower, then it is very likely that you are looking at a large boat with a capacity for more than 25 or 30 people.
• Duration: the duration of a trip to this national park from the Bay of Marseille is usually at least 5 hours.
• Means of transport: it may be a catamaran or a sailing boat. Motor-powered boats are also common.

On the other hand, you may only be interested in exploring Marseille and its coastline on a short trip that focuses on visiting the most iconic sites in the bay. These types of tours usually take place throughout the day, but the most interesting ones are undoubtedly those that take place at sunset, as they offer privileged views of this impressive city.

The main sites that are usually included in this type of tour are the beaches along the southern tip of the city, starting with the Catalan beaches and ending at the red bridge. This allows participants to enjoy a very pleasant view of this part of Marseille's city centre.

On the other hand, the island of the Château d'If, next to the island of Ratonneau, are other essential parts of this type of itinerary. You should know that these types of walks are significantly shorter than those that go to the Calanques, but at the same time they are more suitable for all times of the year. This is especially true 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 Marseille coast and the islands closest to the city's old port are one of the ideal plans for those who have a four-day trip to Marseille. This is especially true because they are an activity that can take up part of the day, while the rest of the day can be spent visiting other great attractions on the mainland.

Details of interest

• Price: this type of boat trip is usually a little cheaper, with the average price being around £70-80 per person. There may be cheaper options, but these would be on much larger boats for a larger number of people.
• Duration: a trip similar to the one I have described around the bay of Marseille usually lasts about two hours at most. It may take a little longer if it includes 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 equipped for short trips.

There is a third option that is quite convenient for those who want to spend much more time in the Mediterranean Sea. This is a two-night, three-day sailing trip that includes snorkelling and kayaking.

This type of experience is reserved for a very limited number of people, usually no more than eight participants. It is important to note that the sailing itinerary changes all the time, but it usually covers the entire coastline around the Marseille metropolitan area, passing through places such as Les Goudes, Morgiou and Port Pin.

This activity includes meals and drinks in an intimate and exclusive setting. However, you should be aware that all expenses are at your own expense at each of the stops on the itinerary around Marseille.

The starting point for the activity is usually the old port of the city, which is also 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 £270, although it may drop to £240.
• Duration: the tour itself usually lasts around 70 hours. The boat usually leaves the port at 10 a.m. 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 a cabin.

There is also the option of exploring the southern coast of Marseille with a much more athletic and extreme approach. There are some boat tours specifically designed to give participants a long kayaking session in the calm waters of Les Calanques. As well as a good snorkelling session in the crystal-clear waters of this national park.

At the same time, these boat tours around Marseille stand out because they offer the chance to see the small port of Cassis from the coast. This is a nearby fishing village with a thriving wine industry, located just at the western end of the Des Calanques National Park.

As with the other boat trips around Marseille, these are likely to take place on catamarans or sailing boats. However, during busy tourist seasons, larger boats may be available so that several family groups can enjoy the experience at the same time.

Useful information

• Price: the price of a boat trip of this kind is quite similar to the other alternatives I have mentioned. They usually cost around £180 or £200 per person, including drinks and snacks.
• Duration: these boat trips usually last around 4 or 5 hours in total, although this depends on the wind speed and the number of participants.
• Means of transport: most likely a sailboat, but it may also be a small tourist cruise ship with a capacity for around 30 or 40 people.

There are several options available for booking a boat trip in Marseille, regardless of the characteristics of the tour. One option is to hire this service from a tourist agency in the city. These may be in high demand during the high season.

However, the best option is always to book online. This is mainly because, in most cases, you can cancel your purchase free of charge online and read reviews from other customers about the experience you are about to book.

In fact, nowadays, most tourist services in cities such as Marseille are booked online. Therefore, if you decide to go on one of the best bike tours in Marseille, you will probably find the best option available on an online platform.

Duration of boat trips in Marseille

When talking about the duration of boat trips in Marseille, it is important to bear in mind that these are always approximate times. Each boat trip is unique, as it depends on the waves at the time and the speed of the wind. These two factors determine the speed at which the boat travels.

In any case, boat trips around Marseille that focus solely on the bay usually last a maximum of three hours, while trips to other nearby places such as the Calanques National Park or the coastal town of Cassis usually last at least 5 hours.

The first thing you should know about the scenery you'll see on this type of boat trip is that for much of the journey you'll have a panoramic view of the Marseille skyline. Depending on your tastes and interests, this can be a real privilege, as Marseille is one of France's major cities and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities on the country's Mediterranean coast.

On the other hand, on trips that take you a little further away from the bay of Marseille, you will encounter a slightly different landscape. This will be much more natural and will mostly consist of rocky coastlines with some prominent cliffs. This is quite logical and understandable, as a large part of the French Riviera has a significant relief due to its proximity to the French Alps.

In any case, if you are interested in continuing to explore the natural beauty that characterises this region of southern France, then you should find 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 in this part of the country.

There are several tips to keep in mind when taking a boat trip in Marseille, but one of the most important is to never forget your sunscreen. This is because on this type of trip, the sun's rays are much stronger, as they bounce off the surface of the water and reach your skin with greater intensity.

The next tip I can give you to help you get the most out of your boat trip in Marseille is to eat well before the experience. This is especially important if the tour does not include drinks or snacks. The truth is that being hungry in the middle of the sea can be quite uncomfortable for both children and adults.

Finally, another recommendation is to 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 visit the city during this time of year will be just as keen to take part in this activity.

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

The most common price is over £80 or £90 per person if the trip includes drinks and meals . In turn, if the service includes a guide specialising in the history of the city, the prices will also exceed these figures.

The rates are also higher for longer trips, which is logical, as spending five or six hours on a boat is not a cheap experience anywhere in the world. This is especially true if the boats are comfortable and reserved for a very limited number of people. In this case, prices can be around £130 per person.

So my recommendation is to always go for the cheapest option. Especially knowing that you can enjoy better quality food and drink on the best food tours in Marseille, which offer you the opportunity to explore the cultural identity of this place with your taste buds.

One of the reasons why a boat trip in Marseille is recommended is that this is a city where the sea and its port have always been the two most important elements for both its economic prosperity and its historical significance.

So sailing the waters of the bay allows you to experience Marseille in all its splendour. What's more, it's also a great 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 activity for people of all ages and with all kinds of interests.

Among the advantages of taking a guided tour over renting a boat to sail around Marseille Bay on your own is the cost savings. Renting a boat with a capacity for four to six people in the port of Marseille for a couple of hours can easily exceed £1,000. In addition, you also need to have all the relevant sailing permits.

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