Catamaran charter in Marseille with or without a skipper
By Maelle Macri 
By Maelle Macri
Updated on August 14, 2023
Reading time: 10 minutes
Updated on August 14, 2023Reading time: 1
In brief
Don't miss: The port of Cassis, the small Provençal squares of La Ciotat, the blue cave close-hauled to the Morgiou cove
Good addresses: "Le Bonaparte" in Cassis, a good Mediterranean restaurant
Discoveries: The Figuerolles cove close to Cassis, the Île Verte opposite La Ciotat
Map of sailing areas in Mediterranean France (clickable)
- Practical information for your catamaran charter in Marseille
- Where to sail on a catamaran charter from Marseille?
- The most beautiful anchorages to see during a catamaran charter inMarseille
- Sailing itineraries for your yacht charter
- What are the weather conditions?
1. Practical information for your catamaran charter in Marseille
Why choose a catamaran charter from Marseille?
France's main port city and second largest urban area, Marseille is a city on the French Riviera that offers its share of breathtaking landscapes, especially maritime ones. From the calanques to the Riou archipelago, a catamaran charter in Marseille allows you to discover the Phocaean city and its marine panoramas from a different angle. Being accompanied by a skipper is a unique and particularly practical way to go from one point of interest to another in no time at all and to get the most out of the Marseille experience, the soul of the sea being a true characteristic of the city and its region.
What prices should I expect for a catamaran charter in Marseille?
The table below gives you an idea of the average prices for catamaran charters. These prices can of course change depending on availability, the model and the age of the catamaran.
| Type of boat | High Season July and August | Mid Season May, June and September | Low Season April and October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catamaran (between 35 and 40 feet) | 5,000 USD | 3,500USD | 3,000 USD |
| Catamaran (between 40 and 45 feet) | 6,000 USD | 4,500 USD | 3,500 USD |
| Catamaran (between 45 and 50 feet) | 8,000 USD | 6,500 USD | 5,000 USD |
The ports of Marseille
There are many ports in Marseille, but the two main ones that interest us here are the Vieux-Port, the most popular, and the port of Corbières. The lively marina in the Vieux-Port is also its historical and cultural center, and one of the symbols of Marseille, with construction dating back to Antiquity. The port offers the following facilities: electricity, water, toilets, showers, ATM and a city-center carrefour open Monday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
How do I get there?
For those who don't pitch up on site by car, Marseille Saint-Charles station is a very good option if you want to get to Marseille. Marignane airport also offers regular flights from French airports. Michel C. tells me:"For Parisians like me, I recommend the train, it's very practical, 3 hours on the TGV and you're on the boat. Once at Saint-Charles, I always walk down to the Vieux-Port and take the opportunity to visit Marseille; after all, the journey is also part of the cruise. The port of Corbières can be reached by taxi in a few tens of minutes from Saint-Charles.
What license is required for a catamaran charter in Marseille?
For a catamaran charter from Marseille, you need a coastal license. This will allow you to sail up to 6 nautical miles (about 11 kilometers of shelter) with any type of boat. Of course, if you have opted for a catamaran charter with a skipper, there is no need for a nautical CV. Hiring a skipper can be a very good option to get the most out of your cruise in comfort and safety, with a specialist who knows the region well and will be able to guide you and adapt to your requests.
2. Where can you sail on a catamaran charter from Marseille?
The Calanques National Park
Despite the recent restrictions, the Calanques national park is still great to visit,"says Mr. Caudoux, communications manager and development officer at the local rental company Saileazy, a partner of Filovent. From Marseille to Cassis, the Calanques of the Bouches-du-Rhône offer a magnificent spectacle. This impressive geological formation takes the form of a valley that stretches twenty kilometers long and four kilometers wide. In the calanques, you can swim at the side of your boat in transparent waters at the foot of limestone cliffs formed 80 million years ago. The rocky walls of the calanques are also an excellent playground for sports enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. If you want to learn how to climb, the massif close to Sormiou beach is for you. For the more experienced, the Soubeyranes cliffs between Cassis and La Ciotat, impressive in their size and splendor, are one of the most famous climbing sites in the south of France. If you prefer the seabed to cliffs, the Calanques are also famous for their splendid diving spots. These include the famous wreck of Chaouen, 33 meters deep close to the island of Panier, and the wreck of Liban, 32 meters deep close to the island of Maïre.
The Frioul Islands
The Frioul archipelago is made up of four islands: Pomègues to the south, Ratonneau to the north, the islet of If to the east of the two main islands and the islet of Tiboulen to the west of Ratonneau.
For Michel C, a Filovent customer, the Frioul Islands are a favorite:"Sailing among the islands is really nice, the rocks offer a very interesting change of wind for sailing. You can sail around the Frioul Islands and the Château d'If, from here you can see all of Marseille."
The islet of If
On the smallest island of the archipelago, you can visit the famous Château d'If. This former prison has been converted into a tourist attraction and has been listed as a historic monument since 1926. Alexandre Dumas senior made it the place of detention of Edmond Dantès, before he escaped and became the Count of Monte Cristo. This castle and its site are full of anecdotes.
The Riou archipelago
This is the only uninhabited archipelago on the French mainland coastline. It is a protected site, famous for its flora and fauna. The island has more than 320 plant species, 18 of which are protected. You can also enjoy birdwatching here. The site is home to more than 200 species of birds such as the herring gull, the Cory's shearwater (a rarer species that only breeds on the island of Riou and in Ibiza) and various species of falcon. But that's not all,the Riou archipelago is also renowned for its underwater scenery, making it an exceptional diving site. The"Tombants des Moyades" spot, located at the northern point of Riou Island, has the reputation of offering some of the most beautiful dives in Marseille. The"Impériaux de Terre" site is an ideal spot for beginners and there are many discoveries to be made: moray eels, groupers... Although you cannot berth on the island, you can easily anchor your boat there.
Cassis
In the 19th century, Frédéric Mistral, a Provençal writer and lexicographer, wrote:"He who has seen Paris and not Cassis has seen nothing". As you can see, this town is well worth a visit! The town of Cassis is overlooked by an old castle dating back several centuries and is renowned for its pebble beaches and coves with steep limestone cliffs. During a yacht charter close-hauled to Cassis, you can discover a small fishing port adorned with pastel-colored buildings where, every morning, you can attend the fish auction. This will be an opportunity to sit in street cafes and restaurants, where you can taste Cassis wine. François C. told me that he found this little port really superb, because it was full of life,"however, you will need to book in the morning for the evening if you want to be sure of having a place". For a 40-foot monohull, a night in the port of Cassis will cost USD81, double that for a catamaran. For dining, François recommends the restaurant Le Bonaparte. Nestled in an alleyway, this restaurant offers healthy Mediterranean food for USD20 per mast top. For hiking and climbing enthusiasts, Cap Canaille rises to an altitude of 360 meters. This very red rocky massif, made of porphyry, offers an unmissable hike of about 4 hours starting from Cassis.
La Ciotat
In 2019, the bay of La Ciotat joined the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World. Why not take advantage of this perfect opportunity to rent a boat from La Ciotat. A night in the port will cost you USD40 for a 40-foot boat with one hull, double that for a catamaran. From Port Vieux, La Ciotat's port, it's a 5-minute walk to the town center, where you can explore the pedestrian streets and Provençal squares. Mr. Daumas, who is in charge of accommodation and cruise activities at the La Ciotat tourist office, recommends visiting Place Esquiros, a square typical of La Ciotat that is home to a church with a light-colored stone facade, or even Place Sadi Carnot, where you will find a century-old shaft and a charming fountain made of Rognes stone. The Ciotaden Museum, located on the port, invites you to discover the cultural, religious, traditional and economic heritage of the city of La Ciotat, including the old shipyards, the invention of the cinematograph and the birth of the local game of pétanque. For nautical enthusiasts, you can complete your visit with a trip to the shipbuilding museum, also located on the port. The Eden Théâtre, the oldest working movie theater in the world, is located just behind the city center, 5 minutes from the port. A 20-minute walk away are two of the most beautiful calanques (creeks) of La Ciotat: Mugel and Figuerol. The Calanque du Mugel is a natural site that is home to a botanical park where you can discover many typical, sometimes rare plants of the region during your stroll.
L'Île Verte - opposite La Ciotat
L'Île Verte is a small uninhabited island located 500 meters in the open sea off the coast of La Ciotat. The only wooded island in the Bouches-du-Rhône, it takes its name from its vegetation, which is mainly composed of Aleppo pines. A 2 km footpath goes around the island, passing by the Seynerolles cove, the Plageolle and Fort Saint-Pierre at the top of the island at an altitude of 49 meters. A unique point of view on the coastline!
3. The most beautiful anchorages to see during a catamaran charter in Marseille
Calanque de Ratonneau - Frioul
One of the most beautiful anchorages in the region, accessible 15 minutes from the Vieux-Port in the Frioul islands. It is a pretty sandy cove in 4 to 6 meters of transparent water. The Ratonneau cove is ideal for swimming, strolling on the island and admiring the view of the Bonne Mère from the Fort. Shelter from westerly and north-westerly winds, a little roll due to the regular passage of passenger ferries in transit to Frioul. In summer, try to arrive early in the day if you want to avoid being anchored too far out. It is not affected by the decrees relating to anchorage. Mr. Caudoux of SailEazy, who advises safety, says:"Anchored boats at the Frioul Islands are ideal. You can protect yourself from all types of weather by sailing around the islands, and you stay close to the port of Marseille if you need to return."
Calanque de Saint-Pierre - Île Verte
The cove of Saint-Pierre offers a superb anchorage. You will be protected from winds from the west and south. This cove has a pontoon from which you can admire the bay of La Ciotat, a pebble beach and a restaurant that offers food to eat in or take away (it is the only one on the island, so it is a bit expensive). It is also the starting point for a walk from where you can join the island's footpath. On the other hand, beware of the mosquitoes at night, they are rabid and numerous.
Calanque de Sormiou - Calanques National Park
This is the widest and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful calanques. It is also an unmissable diving spot. It has a beach of pebbles and white sand lined with Marseille cabanas, azure water and limestone cliffs dotted with the green of the garrigue and pine trees. You can follow a path that passes over two small pebble beaches and tackle the ascent of the Morgiou ridge. Leaving the cove at the far left is the Cosquer prehistoric cave. The Premar 2021 decrees have changed the area from a free anchorage on seagrass to a compulsory anchorage on buoys.
Morgiou cove
This cove with crystal-clear water is well protected from the Mistral. It is quite busy, so it is best avoided at weekends and in high season. This cove is also affected by the Premar 2021 decrees, so anchorage on buoys is compulsory. If you stop at the Morgiou cove, take the opportunity to visit the blue cave, historically known as the "blower's hole". From the outside, you can just see a dark hole in the rock with an underwater light, but once inside, you can admire a rather unique spectacle. The cave is not lit directly by the sun, but by its reflections in the water, which give it its cobalt blue color. The cave has two entrances: one underwater and the other just one meter above sea level.
Figuerolles cove - East coast of Cassis
The calanque (cove) of Figuerolles, which takes its melodious name from the Provençal word for fig tree, is located very close-hauled to the calanque of Mugel. Its waters and rocks have marvelous colors. Its rock, made up of pebbles, forms a dog's mast top on one side of the cove and an eagle's mast top on the other. Its geology and vegetation have particularly inspired painters such as Braque and Othon Friesz. This cove is not accessible to yachts over 24 meters. The seabed of this cove is known for its splendor. In particular, the Figuerolles drop-off, which descends to a depth of more than 20 meters. Its multiple faults are home to a very diverse fauna, including octopuses, lobsters and sea urchins.
For more anchorage options and to book your berth, Navily: ➔ More anchorages in Marseille ⚓
4. What sailing itineraries should you follow during your catamaran charter in Marseille?
Sailing itinerary 1 for one week proposed by our partner Dream Yacht Charter - Total distance covered: 62 nautical miles
- Day 1: Marseille → Cassis (18 nautical miles)
- Day 2: Cassis → Bandol (12 nautical miles)
- Day 3: Bandol → Île des Embiez (3 nautical miles)
- Day 4: Île des Embiez → La Ciotat (9 nautical miles)
- Day 5: La Ciotat → Île de Riou (11 nautical miles)
- Day 6: Île de Riou → Marseille (9 nautical miles)
5. What are the weather conditions?
François C. on board his Dufour 412, rented from Filovent, with the Île de Riou in the background (Photo by François C.).
During your yacht charter in the Mediterranean, especially in summer, you will mostly have easy sailing conditions with winds that rarely exceed wind force 4 (30 km/h / 15 knots). In the afternoon, you may regularly encounter a thermal breeze, which you know all too well if you sail regularly: a wind created by the difference in temperature between the sea and the land when it is hot. The latter blows from the sea towards the land in the afternoon and subsides at the end of the evening.
To find out the weather forecast for Marseille, Mr. Caudoux recommends ➔ Windy
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank François C., Michel C., François R. and Stéphane F., all Filovent customers, for their testimonials, which perfectly illustrate my article. I would also like to thank Mr. Daumas, head of accommodation and cruise activities at the La Ciotat tourist office, as well as Mr. Caudoux, head of communication and development.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 222 |
|---|---|
| Types of service | Skipper, Hostess, Chef (meals not included), Sailor |
| Average price per week | $17,094 |
| Minimum weekly price | $1,877 |
| Maximum price per week | $91,141 |