Marseille: Calanques Catamaran Cruise, Picnic, & Swimming

The Calanques look secret from the water. I love the small-group feel on a 24-person catamaran and the all-in snorkeling setup with wetsuits when the water turns chilly. The one real drawback to factor in is that you will be getting in and out of the water, so this is not a great match if you have back problems.

I also like how the day runs with two skippers and real local know-how, including Captain Mary and Julie, who help you enjoy the stops without rushing. You cruise out of Port de la Pointe Rouge, snack and sip along the way, and end up with that sea-breeze, limestone-cliff feeling you just cannot get from the shore.

Key highlights to know before you go

• 24 guests max, 2 skippers, 4 toilets: less crowd stress, more room to move, and fewer bottlenecks during swim breaks.
• Riou Island plus multiple Calanques stops: you get variety, not just one pretty cove.
• Blue cave and a sea-cave experience: the kind of swim that makes the whole trip feel special.
• All-inclusive picnic, rosé, snacks, drinks: food and thirst are handled, so you can focus on swimming and photos.
• Snorkeling gear and wetsuits: you are equipped for cool-water conditions, not just hot-summer dips.
• GoPro cameras included: you can capture the best moments without juggling your own setup.

Entering Calanques National Park from Marseille, the easy way

This is a catamaran day trip that treats the Calanques National Park like it should be treated, by water first. From Marseille’s Port de la Pointe Rouge, you glide past the dramatic limestone walls and hidden coves that most people only see from a viewpoint.

What makes this version feel premium is the scale. With a max of 24 people, you are not spending your day in a human line. You can shift positions on deck, find a quiet angle for photos, and still get to swim at several spots without it feeling like a schedule sprint.

One practical note: the meet-up is at Bleu Evasion, entrance 3 of Port de la Pointe Rouge. Plan on traffic and arrive early. Check-in is time-sensitive, and being late can mean you miss boarding.

The 24-person catamaran comfort that changes the whole day

When the group is small, everything feels calmer. You get 2 skippers on board (so there is more attention on navigation and safety), plus 4 toilets, which you will appreciate more than you think during a 5-hour outing.

The catamaran itself feels stable. Even when the sea has some energy, you tend to feel the motion less than you would on a smaller boat. That matters because the day is built around short stops and repeat swims. If you get worn out by constant rocking, you lose time enjoying the place. Here, the boat is part of the value.

Also, having two skippers tends to mean you get smoother transitions during anchoring, gearing up for snorkeling, and getting everyone back aboard. It is the kind of detail that sounds small until you are the one trying to wrangle a wetsuit while waves are doing their thing.

Riou Island stop: the first big views plus swim time

You start with an island stop at the Archipel de Riou. Expect a mix of cruising scenery and a dedicated window on the water, around 75 minutes total time at this stop.

This is a good warm-up for the rest of the day. Riou Island gives you that classic Calanques contrast: rocky shoreline, pale-blue water, and sudden pockets of deeper color where the coastline drops off. Then you get your first chance to cool off with swimming and snorkeling gear on the ready.

There is a subtle benefit here. Going early in the trip means you are fresh for the first swim and less likely to feel rushed later when you have food, photos, and multiple coves competing for your attention.

Sormiou and Morgiou: dramatic walls, short stops, and time to reset

Next come the Calanques of Sormiou and Morgiou, both built around viewpoints from the water and guided sightseeing moments.

At Sormiou, you can expect a photo stop plus a guided look at what you are seeing. The Calanques here are steep and very sculpted, so being on the water changes the angles. From land, you get a slice. From the boat, you see how the cliffs funnel sunlight and how the coves hide calmer water.

Morgiou follows with another photo stop and guided time, plus more scenic cruising. This is where the structure of the day helps you. You are not spending too long stuck in one place, but you are also not getting churned through back to back. It gives you room to refocus before the more cave-focused moments later.

If you want the best photos, pay attention during the cruising minutes between stops. That is often when the light hits the limestone just right and the coastline looks its most dramatic.

The secret stop and the Blue Cave: where the day turns unforgettable

This is the part that gets people talking: time at a secret stop and the Blue cave experience (with En-Vau depending on weather).

The Blue cave element is not just a scenic drive-by. It is tied to swimming. Reviews reflect that the cave swim can feel extraordinary, especially for people who love that “water turns into a different world” moment. The color and the sheltering rock formations change everything once you are inside or right at the entrance.

Two tips if you are thinking about the cave swim:

• If you are an intermediate swimmer, ask the crew how to approach it. One review noted helpful guidance to reach the Blue cave area.
• Wear the wetsuit even if you think you will be fine without it. Early October can still feel chilly, and once you start moving, the wetsuit keeps the whole swim stop more enjoyable.

This is also where the small-group size matters. In a crowd, you spend time waiting. Here, you can typically get geared up and get in at the right moment.

Sugiton and En-Vau: more swimming, more variety, weather as the decider

After the cave highlight, you head toward Sugiton. You get another photo stop and guided sightseeing, plus a longer window that includes free time and swimming and snorkeling. That longer stop helps because Sugiton tends to feel like a “linger here” kind of place.

Then there is En-Vau, the classic Calanques beach vibe. It is listed as included when conditions allow. If it happens on your day, you get photo time and guided context, with about an hour allocated.

Why this mix works for your brain and body: you get repeated water time for the swim lovers, but you also get guided moments so the scenery has meaning. The limestone cliffs, sheltered coves, and protected waters all connect into one natural system, not random snapshots.

Also, if you are someone who wants one big swimming moment per stop, this portion of the trip is satisfying. You will have more chances to get your snorkel on and feel the water life below the surface.

Port Pin and Port-Miou: finishing with calmer, scenic cruising

The last part of the route includes stops at Port Pin and Port-Miou. Expect photo stops, guided time, scenic cruising, and again some swimming and snorkeling opportunities at Port Pin.

These final coves are a nice way to close the loop. Early in the day, you are building anticipation with Riou and the first Calanques views. Later, you shift into a calmer rhythm. By the time you reach Port Pin and Port-Miou, you often feel like you have “learned” how the coastline works, so every change in color and shape becomes easier to read.

And since the group is small, you can take a last pass at your favorite views without feeling like you are competing for space. That matters for photos too. The light shifts, and those last cruising minutes can produce some of the best frames.

Food, rosé, and picnic format that actually works on the water

This is an all-inclusive day, and the food setup is part of the reason people rate this so highly. You get a homemade picnic lunch with sandwiches, dessert, rosé wine, plus soft drinks and snacks.

From the details shared, sandwiches can include options like mozzarella tomato or ham and cheese, paired with watermelon and cookies. That simple spread hits the sweet spot for a boat day: easy to eat, not messy, and satisfying after swim stops.

Two more small perks that add up:

• Drinks are kept moving throughout the day, so you do not have to constantly ask or pause your day to get something.
• Rosé is part of the vibe, and it shows up with the lunch and snack rhythm.

And yes, the GoPro cameras are included. While the exact sharing method is not explained in the info you provided, the intent is clear: they want you to capture the cave and swim moments without carrying your own gear stress.

Snorkeling gear, wetsuits, and what you might see under the surface

You will be provided snorkeling gear. Wetsuits are included if the water is cold, and this matters more than it sounds. In early October, water can be chilly, and you want something that lets you stay in the water longer without turning the swim into a survival task.

The protected waters you visit can include seagrass meadows and coral-like habitat, with fish you can spot on snorkel, including groupers and scorpionfish. You do not need to be a marine biologist to enjoy it. You just need the right conditions and gear, and this tour brings both.

One more reason this matters for value: a lot of boat days say snorkeling is optional, then you find yourself without proper equipment. Here, the gear is baked into the experience. You also tend to get enough stop time to actually use it, not just put on a snorkel for 60 seconds.

Price and value for a 5-hour Marseille catamaran day

At $104 per person for about 5 hours, this sits in the “premium day” category. But the math mostly makes sense because you are not paying extra for the stuff that usually costs money on the coast.

What is included:

• Catamaran transport with petrol and Calanques tax
• Skippers
• Picnic lunch plus dessert
• Rosé, soft drinks, snacks
• Snorkeling gear and wetsuits when needed
• GoPro cameras

In other words, you are paying for a guided, multi-stop water day with equipment and food already handled. For people who want the Calanques experience but do not want to think through logistics, this is a strong deal. You also get the bonus of a small group, which often costs extra when it is done right.

Who should book this Calanques cruise (and who should not)

I think you should book if:

• You want multiple swim stops, not just one quick dip
• You care about comfort and space on the boat
• You want a day that mixes scenery with guided context
• You like the idea of cave swimming, like the Blue cave

You should probably skip it if:

• You have back problems. Getting in and out of the water is a key part of the day.
• You are pregnant. This is listed as not suitable.
• You are traveling with very young kids. It is not suitable for children under 2.
• You are bringing pets. Pets are not allowed.

It also fits couples and small groups well. One review mentioned an accommodated proposal on board, which tells you the crew is paying attention to moments, not just moving people through the route.

A few last tips so you enjoy every stop

Bring sunglasses and a towel. Your towel will become your “I am ready for the next swim” tool. You might also want to bring a layer for after swimming, because once you get out of the water, coastal breezes can feel cool.

Also, double-check the timing of your arrival. There is a clear instruction to be there 15 minutes before boarding for check-in. If you are late, you may not get a refund, so build in cushion time.

Finally, be ready to wear the wetsuit if conditions call for it. Early October can be chilly, but the reviews show that having wetsuits makes the difference between a short swim and a real swim session.

Should you book Bleu Evasion’s Calanques catamaran cruise?

My take: if you want a Calanques day that feels private, includes real swimming and snorkeling time, and handles food, drinks, and gear for you, this is a great choice. The 24-person cap, 2 skippers, and the cave-focused route are the kind of details that make this more than a basic “boat sightseeing” outing.

Book it if your ideal Marseille day includes water time, and you are okay with the physical bit of getting in and out of the sea. Skip it if you need a completely shore-like experience, or if back issues or pregnancy make water access hard.

If you are the type who loves limestone cliffs from the water, wants the Blue cave moment, and would rather not plan a thing all day, you will probably feel like you got your money’s worth.

FAQ

How many people are on the catamaran?

The catamaran holds a maximum of 24 people, and it runs with 2 skippers.

What is included in the price?

This tour includes the skipper, petrol, Calanques tax, swimming, snorkeling gear, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, wetsuits if the water is cold, and GoPro cameras, plus a picnic with rosé wine and dessert.

Do I get a wetsuit?

Yes, wetsuits are included if the water is cold.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at Bleu Evasion in Marseille, at the entrance number 3 of the Port de la Pointe Rouge.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses and a towel.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or kids?

It is not suitable for pregnant women and children under 2 years old.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 5 hours (450 minutes).