Atlantide · Bandol
Atlantide's big sightseeing boat leaves Bandol and runs the whole coast west to Sormiou and back, past Cap Canaille, the Cassis coves and the Cosquer cave. It covers more of the coastline than any other trip here and costs less, but you don't swim, and the live commentary is in French.
Bandol is a harbour town in the Var, east of La Ciotat, and Atlantide runs this cruise from its port. The route is long: along the coast to La Ciotat bay and the Île Verte, past the Bec de l'Aigle and the Mugel and Figuerolles coves, then under Cap Canaille, at 394 metres France's highest sea cliff. After Cassis come Port-Miou, Port-Pin, En-Vau, l'Oule, Devenson, Sugiton, Morgiou and La Triperie, where the entrance to the Cosquer cave lies 37 metres underwater. The turning point is Sormiou, the largest cove.
That's 3 hours 15 minutes at sea, and it is a sightseeing trip from start to finish. There is no swim stop. The live guide speaks French; English and German speakers get a commentary booklet. The boat is wheelchair accessible and dogs are allowed, which rules few people out.
Reviews flag three small things: some seats face backwards, boarding can be a crowd, and it gets chilly in early spring. Get there early for a forward-facing seat on the open deck. If you're based in Marseille or Cassis, Bandol is a trek, and a Marseille boat with a swim or the Cassis port boats make more sense. If you're staying on the Var coast, this is the easy way in.
The meeting point is directly in front of the Atlantide boats in the port of Bandol. Come early for a good seat.
Île Verte, the Bec de l'Aigle and the Mugel and Figuerolles coves.
The red cliffs, then Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau seen from the water.
Morgiou, La Triperie and the Cosquer cave site, then Sormiou, the largest cove.
The same coast in reverse, with the light on the other side of the cliffs.
★★★★★The views were just breathtaking and the three and a half hours just went by really quickly.
★★★★★Gorgeous scenery and a nice boat with good restroom on board.
★★★★★The service is interesting. A team that is incredibly friendly.
Read next:
No. It is a sightseeing cruise with no swim stop. For a swim, look at the iconic boat tour or the picnic catamaran from Marseille.
The live guide speaks French. Atlantide hands out a commentary booklet in English and German.
It passes En-Vau, Port-Pin and Port-Miou on the way west. Boats may not anchor in En-Vau or land on its beach, so you see it from the water. Our best calanques guide explains each cove.
No, though you'll often read that. At 394 metres it is France's highest sea cliff. Europe's highest are in Norway, the Faroe Islands and Ireland.
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The longest sightseeing route along the whole park, from La Ciotat bay to Sormiou, past the Cosquer cave site.
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