Marseille : Calanques Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Wine

Calanques feel bigger when you sail them. I like the 30-person limit on Bleu Evasion’s catamaran, and I love that snorkeling gear and a wetsuit are included, so you can plan a full water day without extra rentals. One caution: if the wind and swell pick up, you may feel the chop even on a stable boat, and the day can run a bit colder and slower.

You start at Port de la Pointe Rouge in Marseille and spend a long, structured day cruising through the Calanques National Park, with real time to swim rather than quick photo stops. I also like that lunch is handled for you onboard, including rosé and a plancha-style meal, so you do not lose your momentum to finding food on land.

The captains know how to work the coastline, and skippers like César and Alex are part of the crew on some departures, with commentary in English or French. This is a great format if you want the main calanques without stress, and you like the idea of hopping between swimming spots under the same roof.

Key Things I’d Bookmark Before You Go

• Small-group feel, big-deck comfort: up to 30 people onboard, 2 skippers, and a roomy, modern catamaran setup.
• All-in calanques day: lunch, rosé, soft drinks, and a snack are included, plus calanques tax.
• Snorkel ready right on board: snorkeling gear, wetsuits if the water is cold, and time built into the stops.
• Multiple iconic calanques plus a secret stop: Riou, Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton, and an additional stop for variety.
• GoPro capture during the adventure: the boat includes GoPro cameras to record your time at the waterline.
• Marine park ecosystems are the point: the protected waters include seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and fish like groupers and scorpionfish.

From Port de la Pointe Rouge to the Calanques in One Long Sail Day

This is a full-day catamaran cruise out of Port de la Pointe Rouge, with a total duration of 510 minutes (about 8.5 hours). That matters because the Calanques are not a single viewpoint. They are a whole stretch of dramatic limestone coves, and you only get the best effect when you move between several areas.

You meet at Bleu Evasion at the entrance number 3 of the port, and then you settle in on the catamaran while you head out along the coast. From there, the rhythm is simple: sail to each spot, get a short photo moment, then spend real time swimming and snorkeling.

The Small-Group Setup: 30 People, Two Skippers, and Real Time in the Water

The headline is the boat size. With 30 people max and 2 skippers, the day tends to feel less like a conveyor belt. You are not waiting forever to gear up, and the crew can keep a steady flow from deck to water.

I also like the way this trip is built for comfort while still moving fast enough to feel like a sailing day. The catamaran is described as modern, spacious, stable, and fast, which is exactly what you want when you are balancing sun time, photo stops, and a few swims.

If you get seasick easily, plan ahead. One strong practical note from experience with this kind of route: even if the boat is stable, wind can still create motion, especially early if conditions shift. If you use motion-sickness tablets, consider taking them before boarding, since crew may not be able to provide medication once you are already at sea.

Riou Archipelago Stop: Photos, Break Time, and a Long Swim Window

The day starts with L’Archipel de Riou and gives you one of the best blocks of time on the water, about 2 hours. This is your chance to get oriented to how the day will feel. You go from sailing to stop, to swim, to snorkel, without the timing crunch that happens on shorter tours.

Expect a guided component during the stop, plus time for sightseeing and photo moments. The Riou area is also a good place for snorkeling because you are in protected waters where the park’s ecosystems live. In plain terms, you are not just looking at scenery. You are swimming where seagrass meadows and reef-like habitats support fish life.

Practical tip for this stop: treat it like your warm-up swim. If you get cold easily, spend the first minutes in the water, then take breaks on deck between snorkeling pockets so you stay comfortable.

Calanque de Sormiou Hour: A Strong Cliffs-and-Coves Moment

Next is Calanque de Sormiou, with about 1 hour on the stop. This is shorter than Riou, so the goal here is not a long snorkel marathon. It is more about soaking in the setting, taking photos from the right angles, and getting one focused swim moment if conditions are good.

Sormiou is a calanque where the limestone walls do the talking. From a boat you can see how the coves fold in, and that is the key difference between viewing the Calanques from shore versus from the water.

If you are the type who needs structure, you will like Sormiou because the timing is tight and guided, and you still get a real chunk of view time without losing your day.

Calanque de Morgiou Lunch Break: Staying Put in the Water

Calanque de Morgiou is where the schedule earns its keep. You get roughly 2.5 hours, and lunch is built into the stop.

This is your biggest all-together moment: photo stop, sightseeing, guided tour, and enough time to actually switch modes between lounging on deck and cooling off in the sea. The combination is the point, because Morgiou is the kind of place where staying a while helps you stop chasing minutes and start enjoying the water.

Lunch onboard is a plancha-style meal with beef and chicken, plus salads, rosé wine, and fruits. You also get the calm benefit of this being handled for you. When lunch is on the water, you do not burn time transferring, waiting for a table, or searching for a café while the best views fade behind you.

Secret Stop Plus Sugiton: Variety Without the Long Travel Detour

After Morgiou, the itinerary includes a secret stop for about 1 hour, with time for guided sightseeing, photo moments, and swimming and snorkeling. The point of this extra stop is variety. You are not just repeating the same shoreline view five times. You get an additional chance to find a new angle on the cliffs and a new water feel.

Then you finish with Calanque de Sugiton, another 1-hour stop with sightseeing time and photo opportunities, plus a free-time feel built into the schedule. This is a strong way to close the loop: you end with a location that lets you keep the day moving, but without the pressure of carrying lunch timing or a longer gear-up block.

For both Sugiton and the secret stop, keep your towel ready and your swim rhythm simple. You will get the most out of it if you treat each stop like a chapter, rather than trying to do everything at once.

Snorkeling Gear, Wetsuits, and GoPro Memories

One of the best-value parts of this cruise is that snorkeling equipment is included. You get snorkeling gear, and you also get wetsuits if the water is cold. That matters because the Calanques can look warm even when you actually feel chilly once you are in the water for a while.

The protected waters in the Calanques National Park include ecosystems like seagrass meadows and coral reefs, and the fish life can include groupers and scorpionfish. You do not need to be a marine biologist to appreciate this. The practical benefit is that snorkeling here is built around habitat, not just scenery.

Then there is the photo piece. The tour uses GoPro cameras onboard to capture your adventure while you are moving through the day. This is a nice tradeoff: you can spend your mental energy on the water and the views, instead of holding your phone up the whole time.

One small “be ready” note: if you plan to change between deck time and water time frequently, set your sunglasses and towel where you can reach them quickly. In a day like this, convenience beats perfection.

Lunch, Rosé, and the Food Reality on a Catamaran Day

Lunch is included, and it is described as a plancha with beef and chicken, plus salads, rosé wine, and fruits. Soft drinks and additional snacks are part of the all-inclusive package, too.

On a cruise like this, food is not just fuel. It is timing control. Having lunch onboard at the Morgiou stop means you stay in the zone when the views are at their best and the schedule is running smoothly.

That said, this is still a group boat meal, not a restaurant tasting menu. If you care a lot about fine dining, you may find it simpler than you expected. For most people, the value comes from what the meal enables: staying on the water for the full day and not losing precious calanque time to logistics.

Price and Logistics: What You’re Paying For

At $199 per person, you are paying for an all-in day at sea. The package includes a skipper, lunch, soft drinks, rosé wine, snorkeling gear, and wetsuits if needed, plus GoPro photo capture and calanques tax. You also get the big practical benefit of a small group on a catamaran.

So the question is not only whether the price is high. It is whether you are getting what you actually want. If you want multiple calanques, you plan to snorkel, and you want lunch and drinks handled for you, this price can feel fair.

If you mostly want viewpoints and you do not plan to get in the water, the cost may feel steep. In that case, it can be worth thinking about a shorter or less inclusive option, because you would be paying for parts you might skip.

One more practical factor: weather. Marseille can be sunny, then suddenly windy. When conditions are rougher, you can still get the tour experience, but deck time and comfort change quickly. Plan to dress like you are going to sea, not like you are going to a beach club.

Who This Cruise Suits (and Who Should Skip)

This cruise is best for adults and active travelers who want a day at sea with scheduled swimming, not just a sightseeing boat.

It is listed as not suitable for:

• Children under 2 years
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems

Also note: pets are not allowed.

If you love sea swimming, snorkeling, and cliff views from the waterline, you will likely have a great time. If you dislike motion, you should take precautions for choppier conditions, and consider bringing your own seasickness remedy since staff may not be able to provide medication.

Where It Starts, What to Bring, and How to Avoid a Hassle

You meet at Bleu Evasion in Marseille at the entrance number 3 of the Port de la Pointe Rouge. You should show up 15 minutes early for check-in, and you will want to plan for traffic because Marseille roads can slow you down.

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• A towel

You might also want a simple layer for when you are back on deck after swimming, especially if the wind picks up during the sail between stops. Also, make sure you provide a telephone number for the day, since that is required before you go.

Should You Book This Marseille Calanques Catamaran Cruise?

I’d book this if you want a true Calanques day at sea with multiple stops, included snorkeling gear and wetsuits, and food and wine handled onboard. The small group size and the all-in setup are the reason it works, because they keep your day focused on the water.

I would think twice if you are very sensitive to motion or cold, or if you are going mainly for viewpoints but do not plan to swim. This tour makes sense when you actively use the inclusions, not when you treat them as extras.

If you book, go in with one smart mindset: dress for the sea, show up early, and plan to spend time actually in the water. That is when the Calanques stop being a photo and start feeling like a real day trip you will remember.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Calanques catamaran cruise?

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

What time should I arrive for check-in?

Be present 15 minutes before boarding for check-in. If you are late, there is no refund.

What snorkeling gear is included?

The tour includes snorkeling gear, and wetsuits if the water is cold.

What languages is the live tour guide in?

The live guide is available in English and French.

Is the tour free to cancel, and can I pay later?

Yes. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is offered for a full refund, and you can use reserve now & pay later.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, and people with back problems. Pets are also not allowed.