Calanques catamaran and paddleboard

A catamaran for about 22 guests leaves Marseille, sails past the Château d'If and anchors in the calanques so you can paddleboard, snorkel or jump off the roof. It is the most active of the boat trips, and the only one with paddleboards on every departure.

Calanques Catamaran Tour & Standup Paddle

About this experience

The format is simple. You board a catamaran in Marseille with a drink in hand, sail out past the Château d'If and the Frioul islands, and then the skipper anchors in a calanque. The boards come off the deck, the snorkel gear comes out, and the crew shows you the surprise: a diving board on the catamaran's roof. The Marseille tourist office listing names the boat Lemon.

How many swims you get depends on the slot. Morning trips stop once or twice, afternoon trips two or three times, and there is also a sunset departure. Trips run 3 to 4 hours. The group is capped at about 22, so there's room on the nets.

Two things to plan for. No food is included, only soft drinks, so eat first or bring a snack. And the boarding point is either the Vieux-Port or the Pointe Rouge harbour, about 35 minutes apart by the RTM sea shuttle; your voucher says which. As on every boat, the swim stops are in coves where anchoring is allowed, not in En-Vau or Port-Pin.

Stand-up paddleboards on every departure
A diving board on the catamaran roof
Snorkel gear, and a wetsuit when the water is cold
About 22 guests at most
Morning, afternoon and sunset slots

How the day runs

15 min beforeBoard in Marseille
At the Vieux-Port or Pointe Rouge, as your voucher says. A cold drink is waiting.
First 30 minPast the Château d'If
Out of the harbour, past the island fortress and the Frioul islands.
Mid-tripAnchor in a calanque
The skipper picks a sheltered cove for the conditions of the day.
1-3 stopsPaddle, snorkel, jump
Boards, masks and the roof diving board. Swimmers in the water, the rest on the nets.
Last 30 minBack to port
A slow sail home with the city ahead.

A swimmer jumping off the stern of a boat into turquoise water

What's included

Included

Catamaran trip with a skipper
Stand-up paddleboards
Snorkel gear
Soft drinks
Use of a GoPro camera
Wetsuit when the water is cold

Not included

Food: eat before or bring a snack
Hotel pickup
A landing on En-Vau beach (banned for all boats)

Who it suits

Book it if

You want to be in the water, not just look at it
You've never tried a paddleboard and want calm water to start
You're travelling with teenagers who like a jump
You like a group of 20-odd rather than a big ferry

Skip it if

You want lunch on board: the picnic catamaran includes it
You can't swim or don't like deep water
You'd rather sail than motor: try the schooner day
You want to paddle into En-Vau itself: that's the paddleboard tour from Port-Miou

Tips before you book

Pick an afternoon slot if swimming is the point: it has two or three stops against one or two in the morning.
Eat a proper breakfast or lunch first. There's no food on board.
Check which harbour your voucher names. Pointe Rouge is a bus or shuttle ride south of the Vieux-Port.
Bring a dry bag for your phone if you plan to paddle with it.
The sunset departure is the same boat with softer light and cooler air: bring a layer.

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Frequently asked questions

Is food included on the calanques catamaran and paddleboard tour?

No. Soft drinks are included, food is not. Eat before you board or bring a snack.

Do I need paddleboard experience?

No. The boards come out at anchor in a sheltered cove, where the water is usually flat. If you fall in, you're already where you wanted to be.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

From the Vieux-Port or the Pointe Rouge harbour in Marseille, depending on the slot. Your voucher gives the exact meeting point.

How many swim stops are there?

One or two on morning trips and two or three on afternoon trips, weather permitting. See our swimming guide for water temperatures by month.

Ready to book

Book Catamaran & paddleboard

Anchor in the calanques and paddleboard, snorkel or jump off the catamaran roof. Gear and soft drinks included.

Check availability on GetYourGuide Compare all tours

Compare with

Iconic Calanques Boat Tour with SwimmingThe most booked calanques trip: a small boat from Marseille, a swim in a calanque, options from 3 to 4.5 hours.★ 4.7 · 3 to 4.5 hours · from $89

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Paddleboard Tour from Port-Miou to En-VauThe only tour that lands you on En-Vau's beach: paddle from Port-Miou with a local guide, an hour ashore, food included.★ 4.8 · 3.5 hours · from $67