Marseille: Calanques Catamaran Cruise, Picnic, & Swimming

The best part of this Marseille outing is the way it reaches quiet coves and sea caves that are difficult to visit on foot. You cruise aboard Grenadine, a spacious catamaran limited to 24 people, then swim and snorkel in the Calanques National Park with cliffs rising sharply around you.

I like the small group size and the fact that the price covers the things that quickly add up on a boat day: picnic lunch, rosé, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, wetsuits when needed, and even GoPro cameras. The main drawback is that the route and duration depend on weather, and you need to arrive on time at Port de la Pointe Rouge because late arrivals are not refunded.

Key things to know before you book

• Riou Island and the Blue Cave: The route reaches offshore scenery and tucked-away places that are hard to see from land.
• Only 24 people aboard: You get more room than on a large sightseeing boat, with four toilets and two skippers.
• Swimming is central to the day: Bring a towel and sunglasses, and use the included mask, snorkel, and wetsuit if the water feels cold.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a homemade sandwich, dessert, rosé wine, soft drinks, and a snack.
• The route includes Sormiou, Morgiou, and Sugiton: En-Vau Beach may be added if conditions allow.
• Clémence is part of the friendly team: The high rating of 4.9 from 41 ratings reflects especially warm feedback about her and the crew.

Why this is one of Marseille’s better boat days

The Calanques are not simply pretty seaside cliffs. They are a chain of narrow limestone inlets between Marseille and Cassis, with pale rock walls dropping toward clear water. From a boat, you see the shape of the coast in a way that is hard to grasp from a road or trail.

That matters because access on land can take time and effort. Some inlets require a walk, and access conditions may vary. On this trip, you let the catamaran do the work while you sit above the water, watch the cliffs pass, and stop when the crew finds a good place for swimming.

The tone is more relaxed than a fast sightseeing ride. The boat has room for 24 people, two skippers, and four toilets. That is a useful combination for a half-day or longer outing, especially when you are sharing the boat with people who want to swim, eat, take photographs, and enjoy the ride without feeling packed in.

The tour receives a 4.9 rating from 41 ratings, and the named praise for Clémence and the full team points to the human side of the outing. Your captain is not just steering from Marseille to Cassis. The crew helps you find less obvious stopping points and explains what you are seeing in English or French.

Leaving Port de la Pointe Rouge aboard Grenadine

You meet Bleu Evasion at entrance number 3 of the Port de la Pointe Rouge in Marseille. This is the place to take seriously: the operator requires your telephone number, and there is no refund if you arrive late.

Once aboard Grenadine, the day opens with the basic pleasures of a boat trip. You can sit back with a soft drink or rosé while the city recedes and the rocky coast comes into view. The breeze can be strong even on a pleasant day, so keep sunglasses secure and bring a towel for the swim stops.

The catamaran is described as ultra-comfortable, with four toilets and a maximum of 24 people. That is not a luxury yacht setup, but it is a meaningful step up from a crowded excursion boat. You have more space to move around, and the two-skippers arrangement gives the crew a practical advantage when handling the route and stopping at small coves.

The total outing lasts between five and seven and a half hours. That wide range tells you something important: this is not a rigid city tour with every minute fixed. Starting times and the final length depend on availability and conditions, so check the schedule carefully when you book.

Riou Island and the first swim

The first main stop is the Riou Archipelago, a group of islands offshore from Marseille. This portion includes a photo stop, guided sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling, with about 75 minutes listed for the visit.

Riou gives you a change of scale. Instead of looking at a single inlet from the mouth, you see open water, rocky islands, and the Calanques coast beyond. The boat’s position lets you take photographs without having to scramble over rock or hike to a viewpoint.

This is also where the swimming equipment becomes useful. Snorkeling gear is included, and wetsuits are offered if the water is cold. The protected waters contain seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and fish such as groupers and scorpionfish. You should not expect an organized scuba session or a guaranteed wildlife show, but you do get a chance to look below the surface in an area with real marine life.

A GoPro camera is included, which is a thoughtful touch for a water-based tour. Bring your own towel, but you do not need to pack snorkeling equipment unless you prefer your own fit.

Sormiou, with cliffs close to the water

The route continues toward Calanque de Sormiou, one of the best-known inlets along this coast. Its appeal is immediate: high limestone walls, a narrow opening to the sea, and water that looks especially inviting from the boat.

The scheduled stop is presented as a short visit of about 30 minutes, although the overall route can change with weather and sea conditions. You will have time for photographs and guided sightseeing, but this is not the place to expect a long shore visit.

That distinction helps set expectations. This cruise is designed to show you several parts of the Calanques in one day, not to give you a full afternoon at each inlet. If you want extended time on land at Sormiou, a hiking or beach-focused trip would be a better match.

From the catamaran, Sormiou works well as a scenic pause. You can admire the cliffs without committing to a strenuous walk, then return to the water and continue toward the next inlet.

Morgiou and the Blue Cave

Calanque de Morgiou receives about 45 minutes in the planned route. The stop includes a break, photographs, a visit, and guided sightseeing. Morgiou has a more enclosed feel than the offshore Riou Archipelago, with rock walls drawing your eye inward toward the inlet.

The Blue Cave is another special target along the coast. The name describes the effect of light and water inside the cave, although entry and access depend on the sea. The attraction is less about ticking off a formal landmark and more about seeing the coast from an angle that a road or ordinary viewpoint cannot provide.

The crew’s local knowledge matters here. A captain familiar with the coves can decide how close conditions allow the boat to go and can point out places that are easy to miss from a distance. The supplied information specifically describes the trip as reaching confidential places, but you should read that as smaller or less obvious stopping points, not as a guarantee of complete solitude.

At this point, rosé, soft drinks, and the snack help keep the day easy. You do not need to arrange a separate lunch stop or leave the boat to find food.

Sugiton, swimming, and time in the water

Calanque de Sugiton is scheduled for about 75 minutes and includes free time, swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and guided sightseeing. This is one of the most useful parts of the day for anyone who wants more than a passing view from the deck.

You can choose how to use the stop. Put on the supplied mask and snorkel and look into the protected water, swim near the boat, or stay dry and focus on photographs. If the water is cold, a wetsuit is available.

The marine setting is part of the point. Seagrass meadows support underwater life, while fish such as groupers and scorpionfish may be seen. Keep in mind that visibility and wildlife sightings are natural conditions, not guaranteed attractions. The water may be clear and inviting, but the captain cannot control the sea.

En-Vau Beach may be added if the weather allows. That qualification is important. En-Vau is one of the coast’s most famous settings, but a boat route must respond to wind, waves, and safe access. If it is not included on your day, the other Calanques still give you a strong overview of this protected coast.

What lunch and the all-inclusive price really mean

The price is $101 per person. For a five to seven and a half-hour boat outing, that is reasonable if you plan to use the included extras. You are not paying only for a seat and a view. The package includes the skipper, fuel, the Calanques tax, picnic food, rosé, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, wetsuits when needed, and GoPro cameras.

Lunch is described as a homemade sandwich and dessert, with rosé wine included. The food is practical rather than a formal meal, which suits a day when you may be swimming between courses. A snack and drinks help fill the gaps.

The value is strongest for you if you would otherwise rent snorkeling equipment, buy drinks, and arrange a separate boat or beach visit. The value is less clear if you do not plan to swim or if you prefer spending most of the day ashore.

Alcohol is included, but moderation makes sense. The outing involves sun, wind, swimming, and a long period on the water. Keep drinking water in mind, even though soft drinks are supplied.

Group size, comfort, and the practical trade-offs

A maximum of 24 people is one of the clearest advantages of this trip. It keeps the boat from feeling like a large harbor cruise and gives the crew a better chance to speak with people directly.

Two skippers are also useful on a route with several coves and swimming stops. The crew can manage the boat while also helping with equipment and explaining the coast. English and French are available, so you can follow the commentary in either language.

The boat has four toilets, which is a small detail until you spend most of a day offshore. The catamaran format also gives you a broad platform for views, although the supplied information does not specify whether every area is shaded. Bring sun protection beyond sunglasses if you need it.

This is not a suitable outing for children under two, pregnant women, or people with back problems. Pets are not allowed. Those restrictions are worth checking before you reserve, especially because the day includes boat movement, swimming, and transfers around the deck.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve with payment later. That offers useful flexibility, but it does not protect you from arriving late. Plan to reach entrance number 3 with enough time to find Bleu Evasion.

Who will enjoy this Calanques cruise

I would choose this trip if you want to see several famous inlets without arranging hikes, beach transfers, and equipment on your own. It suits couples, friends, and active adults who like the idea of a scenic boat ride with real swim time built in.

It is also a good fit if you want a social but not oversized group. A limit of 24 people keeps the outing personal without making it private or expensive.

You should think twice if your priority is a long stay on one beach, a quiet private charter, or a fixed itinerary with guaranteed access to every named location. Weather can alter the route, and En-Vau is specifically dependent on conditions.

The tour is also not aimed at very young children or anyone who needs a very stable, low-movement setting. Swimming gear and wetsuits help, but they do not change the basic nature of the activity: you are spending much of the day on a moving boat and in the sea.

Should you book Bleu Evasion?

Book it if you want the Calanques from the water, especially if Riou Island, the Blue Cave, snorkeling, and a small catamaran group appeal to you. The included lunch, drinks, equipment, and GoPro make the $101 price easier to justify, while the 24-person limit keeps the day from feeling mass-produced.

Skip it if you want a land-based visit or long beach time. For most people seeking a comfortable overview of the Marseille to Cassis coast, though, this is a well-rounded choice. Arrive early, bring sunglasses and a towel, watch the weather, and leave room in your day for the route to last closer to seven and a half hours.

FAQ

Where does the Calanques catamaran cruise start?

Meet Bleu Evasion at entrance number 3 of the Port de la Pointe Rouge in Marseille. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The outing lasts between five and seven and a half hours. Check availability for the specific starting time and duration offered on your date.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a skipper, fuel, the Calanques tax, swimming, snorkeling equipment, soft drinks, wetsuits if the water is cold, GoPro cameras, picnic food, rosé wine, and a snack.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes the Riou Archipelago, Calanque de Sormiou, Calanque de Morgiou, and Calanque de Sugiton. The Blue Cave is also part of the sightseeing, and En-Vau Beach may be visited if the weather allows.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses and a towel. Snorkeling gear and wetsuits when needed are provided.

Is the cruise suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or people with back problems. Pets are not allowed, and late arrivals are not refunded.