By Anaïs BEDE 
By Anaïs BEDE
August 5, 2021
Reading time: 6 minutes
In Brief
In Brief
Don't miss: Porquerolles and Port-Cros
Good addresses: The "Mas du Langoustier" in Porquerolles for its beautiful sea view
Discoveries: The islet of Ilon on the island of Saint-Honorat, far from Port Pin Rolland but doable if you rent for 2 weeks
What makes it special: The translucent waters and white sandy beaches give the Hyères islands a false air of the Maldives!
Map of navigation zones in France Mediterranean (clickable)
Contents
- Practical information for your yacht charter from Port Pin Rolland
- What is there to do around Port Pin Rolland?
- Where can you sail from Port Pin Rolland?
- The best anchorages and beaches when setting out from Pin Rolland
- Sailing itineraries
"Passing by the Giens peninsula, we arrive with our boat at Porquerolles: the bay is magnificent, the weather is fine and the island is full of flowers. Porquerolles is a real little jewel of the South!" This is one of the most beautiful memories of Philippe, a Filovent customer, as he sails away from Port Pin Rolland. Leaving from Port Pin Rolland with your Mediterranean yacht charter will allow you to discover both the well-known and hidden treasures of the Hyères islands and the Calanques of Marseille.
Philippe
1. Practical information for your yacht charter from Port Pin Rolland
Average rates according to the season and the size of the boat
Boats with one hull are mainly rented from Port Pin Rolland.
The table below gives you an idea of the average prices of the boats. These prices may vary depending on the season, availability, model, age of the boat, etc.
| Type of boat | High season July and August | Mid-season May, June and September | Low Season April and October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monohull (3 cabins) | 3,800 USD | 2,800 USD | 2,400 USD |
| Monohull (4 cabins) | 5,000 USD | 3,200 USD | 2,600 USD |
| Catamaran (between 30 and 40 feet) | 4,000 USD | 3,250 USD | 2,500 USD |
| Catamaran (between 40 and 50 feet) | 4,500 USD | 3,500 USD | USD3,000 |
The port of Port Pin Rolland
Port Pin Rolland is located in Lazaret Bay and is protected from the wind. Very few places are reserved for visitors because its primary purpose is as a shipyard. The following services are available on site: electricity on the quay and pontoon, Wi-Fi, repair services, maintenance work, etc.
Our main partners on site
Here is a list of our main partners who rent boats from the port of Port Pin Rolland:
- Dream Yacht Charter was founded in 2000 in the Seychelles and offers more than 1,000 yachts for charter from around 60 destinations. This rental company, based in Port Pin Rolland, has boats with one hull (Dufour, Sun Odyssey) and catamarans (Lagoon, Astrea);
- Set Sail - Amiral Nautic isa professional rental company based in Toulon. From Port Pin Rolland, this rental company offers boats with one hull (Hanse, Dufour, Sun Odyssey) and a few catamarans, including power catamarans.
2. What is there to do around Port Pin Rolland?
Port Pin Rolland is located in the north of the commune of Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer. There are not many visitors, so we advise you not to dawdle and to quickly start your cruise with your boat rented in the Mediterranean coast of France. However, if you have time, a few points of interest nearby are well worth the detour! 30 minutes by car to the west of Port Pin Rolland, you can visit the chapel of Notre-Dame du Mai, nestled 350 meters up at the top of Cap Sicié. Antoine recommends this visit especially for its "superb unobstructed view of Toulon harbor". We recommend that you go to Toulon, not far from Port Pin Rolland. Once there, the National Navy Museum is a must-see. Once you have entered through the majestic door dating from 1738, you can admire the incredible collection of ships and galleys. Finally, to the north of Toulon, Mont Faron offers a panoramic view of the entire city with the Mediterranean Sea in the background.
3. Where can you sail from Port Pin Rolland?
It's once you're on your boat in Port Pin Rolland that your vacation away from it all really begins! In the next few lines, I'll take you on a voyage of discovery of the pearls of the Mediterranean Sea.
Porquerolles
Porquerolles is the westernmost of the Hyères islands and is one of the must-see destinations on your trip with your boat rented from Port Pin Rolland. Philippe tells me that Porquerolles is "a real little jewel of the South, a preserved village that is easily accessible for a crew of beginners" and Antoine that "you can easily go around the island and discover it in depth. The pine forest and fields are very pleasant in summer when it's warm". In the south of Porquerolles, you can stop at the Cap d'Arme lighthouse, which dates from 1830 and is an integral part of the island's heritage. Even if it is closed to the public, at the foot of this lighthouse you will have a beautiful view over a large part of Porquerolles: the Langoustier hills, Fort Sainte-Agathe, and the southern cliffs. As well as the beaches and the visits, you can discover Porquerolles by cycling around the island, as Stéphane recommends, or by going hiking. Philippe, Antoine and Cécile share their favorite places with you: "Le Glacier Porquerollais" next to the port, "Mas du Langoustier" to the west of the island offering a beautiful view of the sea and "Létal du boucher" especially for its beef.
Port-Cros
Antoine, Philippe and Raphaël all describe Port-Cros as a family destination where life is good. For Antoine, Port-Cros is "fantastic for going to the beach, having an aperitif and playing petanque with the locals. What's more, at the end of the day the light is very beautiful". The first thing to know about this island is that it has been classified as a National Park since 1963. The conservation of the wealth of plant life (oaks, pine forests, scrubland, etc.) and aquatic life are therefore a central concern. This is why the underwater trails of La Palud were created. You will have the opportunity to learn to recognize the maritime flora and fauna while swimming equipped with your flippers and snorkels, from buoy to buoy, to read the explanatory panels along the route. The Mediterranean seabed will hold no more secrets for you! The good address shared by Cécile is the restaurant "L'Anse de Port-Cros" where you can enjoy delicious fish dishes, especially sea bream.
view
Fort de Brégançon in Bormes-Les-Mimosas
Since 1968, the Fort de Brégançon has been the official vacation spot of the President of the French Republic. if you can't go on vacation with the President, you can still visit this fort and see the influence of the various heads of state. Be careful, make sure you book your tickets in advance, either online or directly at the Bormes-les-Mimosas tourist office. Aside from the Fort de Brégançon, you can also find beautiful anchorages close-hauled to the beaches (Plage du Luxembourg, Plage de la Galère) and points (Pointe du Moulin, Pointe du Diable) with your boat rented from Port Pin Rolland.
The calanques of Marseille
It is true that, when setting out from Port Pin Rolland, the priority is to explore the Hyères islands on board your boat (and there is plenty to do!). However, there is no shortage of short trips and beautiful anchorages in the Calanques either. The great classics are: the Frioul archipelago, the Riou archipelago, the Calanque de Sormiou, the Calanque de Sugiton... As you will have realized, if you have time, the creeks of Marseille will allow you to be even more amazed by the beauty of the Mediterranean landscapes.
4. The best anchorages and beaches around Port Pin Rolland
The beaches of Porquerolles
Discovering Porquerolles with your boat also means discovering its beaches, which will take you on a journey. Indeed, for Stéphane "sometimes you'd think you were in the Maldives!".
Langoustier beach is located in the west of the island! To get there, you will have to walk for about an hour from the village. However, once you are there, you will be able to take advantage of its ideal location, as it is protected from the wind and the swell. Cécile will never forget swimming at this beach: "we were swimming among the fish. There were quite a lot of them, which surprised me because we were quite close-hauled to the beach. The colors were splendid." Together with the black Langoustier beach, it forms part of Langoustier Bay, which is one of the favorite anchorages for pleasure boaters due to its idyllic setting and transparent waters.
La Courtade beach has it all! It is easily accessible as it is only a 15-minute foot walk from the village. The eucalyptus forest that hauls in on one side of the beach offers a pleasant scent and shade during the summer season. Finally, on the beach of La Courtade you will find both sand and pebbles, there is something for everyone!
view
I think the photo below speaks for itself! Cécile was really taken with Plage d'Argent, to the northwest of Porquerolles, for "its colors, its calm, its openness to the sea and intimacy at the same time. In a word, this beach is paradise." Behind the beach, the restaurant "La plage d'Argent" will allow you to take full advantage of this idyllic setting.
Anchorage at Port Man in Port-Cros
The anchorage in Port Man bay is one of Philippe's favorites. This cove juts out deep into the north-eastern tip of Port-Cros and is a vast anchorage surrounded by greenery. At the far end, you will find a pebble beach, the furthest from the village of Port-Cros, which offers a panoramic view of Port Man Bay. Although this anchorage is magnificent, it is not ideal depending on the wind conditions. Port Man Bay does not provide good shelter from the mistral or north-easterly winds. However, if the wind is blowing from the west or north-west, you can safely anchor your boat there.
Anchorage at Ilot de l'Ilon on the island of Saint-Honorat
Saint-Honorat is the smallest and southernmost of the Lérins islands. Philippe recommends anchoring boats at the Ilon islet on the south coast. For him, this "anchorage is complete: between the abbey, swimming, being well protected and the wild side of the landscape". Indeed, the anchorage at the Ilon islet allows you to enjoy both a magnificent sunset and a view of the 11th-century Lérins Abbey, which is listed as a historical monument.
Anchorage at Embiez Island
to the west of Six-Fours-les-Plages, the island of Les Embiez is the largest in the Embiez archipelago. It has belonged to Paul Ricard since 1958. It is above all the natural diversity that catches the eye. Between the vineyards, the old salt marshes, the wild coves, the green valleys, the pine forests… a large part of the Mediterranean treasures are present!
Once there, you can enjoy both the beaches and the anchorages. The small beach of La Croisette, in the west of the island, is wedged between two cliffs and only accessible by sea. It's a real godsend for those who have rented a boat! The Germans' beach, just above the Croisette beach, is the largest on the island. Its special feature is that it consists of a succession of small beaches and coves with translucent waters. Lying on your towel, you can see the 1861 lighthouse on Grand Rouveau Island in the distance. Along the coast of anchorages, the various points all around the island (Pointe de Rix, Pointe du Cougoussa, Pointe Saint-Pierre, etc.) will allow you to enjoy your boat and the magnificent setting offered by the island of Embiez.
5. What sailing itineraries should you follow?
Sailing itinerary 1 (one week) - Total distance covered: 62 nautical miles
- Day 1: Port Pin Rolland → Langoustier Bay to the west of Porquerolles (13 nautical miles)
- Day 2: Langoustier Bay → Port of Porquerolles to the north (4 nautical miles)
- Day 3: Port of Porquerolles → Calanque de l'Indienne south of Porquerolles (8 nautical miles)
- Day 4: Calanque de l'Indienne → Port-Cros (9 nautical miles)
- Day 5: Port-Cros → Notre-Dame beach northeast of Porquerolles (10 nautical miles)
- Day 6: Notre-Dame beach → Port Pin Rolland (18 nautical miles)
This one-week sailing itinerary was created by Eric and will allow you to discover the Hyères islands in depth. It is suitable for a crew that is not very experienced.
Sailing itinerary 2, one week - Total distance covered: 134 nautical miles
- Day 1: Port Pin Rolland → Porquerolles and anchorage at the Alycastre point to the northeast (16 nautical miles)
- Day 2: Pointe de l'Alycastre → Ramatuelle bay and anchorage at Pampelonne beach (30 nautical miles)
- Day 3: Pampelonne beach → anchorage at L'Estagnol beach, northwest of Cap Bénat (25 nautical miles)
- Day 4: L'Estagnol beach → Port-Cros (10 nautical miles)
- Day 5: Port-Cros → île des Embiez (40 nautical miles)
- Day 6: Ile des Embiez → Port Pin Rolland (13 nautical miles)
This second one-week sailing itinerary will allow you to sail beyond the Hyères islands while exploring them in depth.
Sailing itinerary 3 (one week) - Total distance covered: 78 nautical miles
- Day 1: Port Pin Rolland → île des Embiez (13 nautical miles)
- Day 2: Ile des Embiez → Calanque De Port D'Alon (7 nautical miles)
- Day 3: Calanque De Port D'Alon → île verte en-dessous de La Ciotat (6 nautical miles)
- Day 4: Ile verte → Riou archipelago (13 nautical miles)
- Day 5: Riou Archipelago → En Vau Cove then Cassis (6 nautical miles)
- Day 6: Cassis → Port Pin Rolland (33 nautical miles)
Finally, this third sailing itinerary will allow you to discover the Calanques to the west of Port Pin Rolland.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Raphaël Maillard, Antoine, Philippe Beguerie, Anita Jaubert, Stéphane Fievet and Cécile Doutriaux for their testimonies and photos, which perfectly illustrate this article.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 659 |
|---|---|
| Types of service | Skipper, Hostess, Sailor, Chef (meals not included), Engineer, Mechanic, Masseuse |
| Average price per week | $36,926 |
| Minimum weekly price | $557 |
| Maximum price per week | $995,138 |