Hire a boat in Marseille with Click&Boat
Hiring a boat in Marseille is one of the best ways to experience France's oldest city from a completely different perspective. From the water, the city reveals its true Mediterranean character: dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden coves, the Calanques National Park, the Frioul Islands and the Château d'If all within easy reach. Whether you're planning a family day out, a fishing trip, a special celebration or an escape towards Cassis, a boat hire in Marseille gives you the freedom to explore the coastline at your own pace, far from the crowded city beaches.
Marseille enjoys a Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sunshine a year, making it one of Europe's premier boating destinations, and just under two hours' flying time from the UK. The sailing season runs from April to October, with sea temperatures reaching around 23°C in summer, ideal for swimming, paddleboarding and snorkelling. Departing from the Vieux-Port, Pointe Rouge, L'Estaque or Port Corbières, choose from sailboats, catamarans, motorboats, RIBs, yachts or boats without a licence, with or without a skipper.
How much does it cost to hire a boat in Marseille?
On Click&Boat, boat hire prices in Marseille range from £249 to £1,690 per day, with an average of £695. The exact price depends on the season, type of boat, duration and options chosen.
Here are some average price examples by boat type and season:
| Boat type | High season June - September | Low season October - May |
|---|---|---|
| Catamaran | €975/day €6,825/week | €776/day €5,432/week |
| Gulet | €1,250/day €8,750/week | €1,185/day €8,296/week |
| Yacht | €3,062/day €21,434/week | €2,662/day €18,634/week |
| Sailboat | €358/day €2,506/week | €321/day €2,247/week |
| Motorboat | €360/day €2,520/week | €305/day €2,135/week |
| RIB | €478/day €3,346/week | €442/day €3,094/week |
| Boat without licence | €296/day €2,072/week | €205/day €1,435/week |
What types of boats are available to hire in Marseille?
With 2456 boats available in Marseille, Click&Boat covers every use case and budget:
- Sailboat: relaxed, quiet sailing, perfect for enthusiasts, with an average of 2 to 5 cabins and space for 4 to 12 guests.
- Catamaran: more spacious and stable, ideal for groups and families, accommodating up to 25 passengers.
- Motorboat: for speed lovers and water sports fans, perfect for reaching the Calanques quickly or towing a buoy.
- RIB: manoeuvrable and fast, a great option for exploring the more remote coves in a single day.
- Yacht: for the ultimate comfort, opening the door to multi-day cruises, with crew if needed.
- Boat without a licence: accessible to everyone, more than sufficient for a day trip or a swim in a secluded cove.
Every boat can be hired with or without a skipper, depending on your experience and preferences.
Have a special occasion to celebrate? A boat hire in Marseille is also perfect for a birthday, a hen do or a private cruise, departing from the marina of your choice.
Boat hire in Marseille with or without a skipper
Want to cast off without worrying about navigation? Opt for a boat hire with a skipper and let a professional guide you to the finest spots along the Marseille coast. A local skipper knows every calanque, hidden island, sheltered cove and the best spots for a swim, a sundowner or a night out at sea, including secret anchorages you would never find on your own.
Budget around €200 per day for this service, transforming a simple day trip into a fully personalised cruise. With a skipper on board, navigation is safer and the overall experience more comfortable.
Prefer to take the helm yourself? That's entirely possible with a bareboat hire. A licence is then required for any motorboat over 6 hp (not for sailboats, though rental companies will expect sufficient experience) — a UK-issued ICC or RYA qualification is generally accepted. But honestly, with a skipper on board, no licence is needed at all, and you can sit back and enjoy the experience from start to finish.
Where to hire a boat in Marseille?
Several departure points are available across the city, each with its own atmosphere and range of services:
- Vieux-Port (Old Port) is the most iconic. Situated in the heart of the city and just 25 km from the airport, it offers easy access to a wide range of sailboats, catamarans, motorboats, RIBs and luxury yachts, many available with a skipper. It is the ideal starting point for visiting the Château d'If, the Frioul Islands and the southern coastline.
- Port de la Pointe Rouge, ten kilometres from the city centre, is the preferred departure point for the Calanques National Park, well-suited to small groups of 4 to 8 people looking for competitive rates.
- Port Corbières, to the north-west, is a quieter alternative offering easy access to both the Frioul Islands and the Côte Bleue.
- L'Estaque Marina, around 15 km from the centre, has a more authentic feel and is a great starting point for discovering the hidden coves of the Côte Bleue.
Whichever port you choose, all marinas offer parking, maintenance facilities, restaurants and loading areas.
Where to sail from Marseille?
The Calanques National Park
The highlight of any boat trip from Marseille is the Calanques National Park, stretching between Marseille and Cassis. Its white limestone cliffs, turquoise waters and iconic coves, such as Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton, En-Vau and Port-Pin, rank among the most spectacular coastal scenery in the Mediterranean. It was also the first national park in France to include both land and sea within its boundaries. Many of these inlets can only be reached by boat, which makes sailing here a truly privileged experience. The park is also home to protected Posidonia seagrass meadows and exceptional marine biodiversity. Check seasonal access and anchoring restrictions before departure, as certain areas are protected year-round.
The Frioul Islands and Château d'If
Around 20 minutes from the Vieux-Port, the Frioul Islands (Pomègues, Ratonneau, If and Tiboulen) offer sheltered coves, clear water and walking trails in an unspoilt Mediterranean setting. The Château d'If, a 16th-century fortress made famous by Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, sits just 15 to 20 minutes from the Old Port and can be visited by ferry or, for a more memorable experience, admired from the water and explored at your own pace. The calm waters surrounding the archipelago are ideal for snorkelling and paddleboarding, with excellent underwater visibility.
Cassis and the Côte Bleue
On a fair-weather day, head east towards Cassis, a picturesque harbour town nestled between the sea and the cliffs of Cap Canaille. Allow around 1 to 1.5 hours by motorboat depending on conditions, passing some of the park's finest calanques along the way. To the west, the Côte Bleue is one of Provence's best-kept secrets: a string of turquoise coves, pine-covered hills and traditional fishing villages such as Carry-le-Rouet and Sausset-les-Pins, far less crowded than the Calanques. The Parc Marin de la Côte Bleue is also an excellent spot for snorkelling and diving in protected waters.
Further along the coast: La Ciotat and beyond
Further east, beyond Cassis, La Ciotat makes for a pleasant half-day or full-day cruise, its historic shipyards, pebble beaches and the nearby Île Verte offering a different pace from the Calanques. For those planning a longer trip along the coast, boat hire is also available further east in Toulon, and beyond that in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice and Antibes, each offering its own stretch of the French Riviera.
What other activities can you do on the water in Marseille?
Hiring a boat isn't the only way to enjoy the sea in Marseille. If you'd like to learn to sail, a sailing course is an excellent introduction, led by qualified instructors. The seabed around the Calanques and the Frioul Islands is also well suited to scuba diving, with caves, drop-offs and wrecks accessible to both beginners and experienced divers. And sea fishing lets you combine a day out at sea with bringing back the day's catch, sea bream or bass depending on the season.
When is the best time to hire a boat in Marseille?
Marseille is one of the sunniest cities in France, making it a great destination for boating almost year-round. The best time to hire a boat is between May and September, when temperatures are warm, the sea is ideal for swimming and daylight hours are long.
- Spring (April–June): Mild weather, fewer crowds and excellent sailing conditions.
- Summer (July–August): Peak season with hot temperatures, lively marinas and perfect swimming. It's also the driest time of year, with only 1 to 2 rainy days a month. With direct flights from the UK taking under two hours, this is also when demand from British travellers peaks, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
- Autumn (September–October): Warm sea temperatures, quieter anchorages and pleasant weather make this one of the best times to visit.
- Winter (November–March): Cooler but often sunny, with fewer tourists. This is also when rainfall peaks, with up to 7 to 8 rainy days a month in November, and when the Mistral blows most often. Some rental companies may operate reduced schedules.
Weather in Marseille
Marseille has a Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild winters.
- Summer temperatures: 28–35°C (82–95°F)
- Spring & Autumn: 18–26°C (64–79°F)
- Winter: 8–15°C (46–59°F)
- Sea temperature (summer): 22–25°C (72–77°F), noticeably warmer than the UK's own coastline at the same time of year
The region is occasionally affected by the Mistral, a strong north-westerly wind that blows at an average of 31 mph, with gusts that can reach 50 to 62 mph, and can create rough sea conditions. Always check the marine weather forecast before heading out, as rental companies may suspend departures when conditions are unsuitable.
Practical information
Fuel
Fuel is generally not included in the hire price for motorboats, RIBs and yachts. Most rentals operate on one of two systems: return the boat with a full tank, or pay only for the fuel consumed at the end of your trip. Sailboats use very little fuel, as the engine is primarily used for manoeuvring in and out of harbour. Fuel docks are available at all main marinas in Marseille.
Parking
All main marinas offer parking nearby: several underground car parks are within walking distance of the Vieux-Port, large open-air areas are available at Pointe Rouge, and parking is also available at L'Estaque, though spaces can be limited in summer. In July and August, arriving early is advisable.
Getting to Marseille
- By plane: Marseille is well served by direct flights from the UK, with easyJet and British Airways flying from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, and additional routes from Bristol and Manchester. The flight takes around two hours.
- From the airport: Marseille Provence Airport is roughly 25 km, about 30 minutes by car or taxi, from the main marinas.
- By train: if you fancy the scenic route, the Eurostar to Paris followed by a high-speed TGV connection takes around 6 to 7 hours door to door, with excellent views over the Rhône valley on the way south.