Semi-rigid sailing in Marseille: the complete guide to the Mediterranean

Marseille, the yachting capital of the Mediterranean

A city of sea and light, Marseille is a dream destination for boating enthusiasts. Between the Frioul islands, the Calanques national park and the turquoise coves of Cassis, it offers a unique playground for RIB owners.

Here's a complete guide to enjoying the city of Marseille in the best possible conditions, from mooring to maintenance to the most beautiful itineraries.

⚓ Where to moor your RIB in Marseille

Marseille and its metropolitan area boast a number of marinas suitable for RIBs, with a wide range of services and year-round rates.

Marseille Old Port

📍 Address: Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille
📞 Contact: +33 4 91 14 64 94

• Capacity: over 3,500 berths

• Rates 2025: from approx. 250 € /m/year depending on size and location

• Services: water, electricity, 24-hour security, sanitary facilities, direct access to city center

• Benefit: emblematic location, perfect for those wishing to sail to the calanques or the Frioul islands.

Port de la Pointe Rouge

📍 Address: Avenue d'Ouessant, 13008 Marseille
📞 Contact: +33 4 91 73 06 75

• Capacity: approx. 1,800 berths

• Rates: between 180 and 220 € /m/year

• Services: water, electricity, fuel station, nearby shipyard

• Benefit: direct access to the calanques of Sormiou, Morgiou and Sugiton - an ideal starting point for RIB enthusiasts.

Port du Frioul

📍 Address: Quai d'Honneur, Îles du Frioul, 13007 Marseille
📞 Contact: +33 4 91 59 90 20

• Capacity: approx. 700 berths

• Rates: from 200 € /m/year

• Services: water, electricity, wifi, shops and restaurants nearby

• Special features: located on the Frioul archipelago, 20 minutes by boat from the Old Port - an exceptional natural setting with a view of the Château d'If.

Port of Carry-le-Rouet

📍 Address: Quai des Ormeaux, 13620 Carry-le-Rouet
📞 Contact: +33 4 42 44 62 88

• Capacity: 560 berths

• Rates: between 170 and 210 € /m/year

• Services: water, electricity, gas station, slipway, protected environment

• Benefits: small, quiet, friendly port, 30 minutes west of Marseille, perfect for coastal excursions.

Port of Cassis

📍 Address: Quai Saint-Pierre, 13260 Cassis
📞 Contact: +33 4 42 01 22 94

• Capacity: approx. 400 berths

• Rates: from 300 € /m/year

• Services: water, electricity, sanitary facilities, restaurants on quay

• Special features: picturesque harbor at the foot of Cap Canaille - often full, but incomparable setting.

💡 Tip: book your berth well in advance, as Marseille's harbors often sell out in spring.

🔧 The best workshops to maintain or repair your RIB in Marseille

PROTEC MER SARL

📍 27 Boulevard Gay Lussac, 13014 Marseille
📞 +33 4 91 02 53 83
📧 contact@protecmer.com
🌐 protecmer.com

Official Bombard and Zodiac dealer, PROTEC MER is a benchmark for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all makes of floats. The team also deals with tears, leaks and accessories.

MARINE ÉQUIPEMENT

📍 Zone Activité Mourepiane, lot 102, 467 chemin du littoral, 13016 Marseille
📞 +33 4 91 03 27 97
📧 marineateliermarseille@gmail.com
🌐 marine-equipement.fr

Specializing in fittings and nautical equipment, MARINE ÉQUIPEMENT offers over 9,000 items for pleasure boats and yachting.

🚤 Where to get your boating license in Marseille?

To explore the coast in complete autonomy, several sailing schools in Marseille offer the coastal and offshore licenses :

École de la Marine de Plaisance

• Address: 15 rue de Suez, 13007 Marseille

• Telephone number: 04 91 31 92 42

• Indicative prices: I haven't found a very recent complete standard price list on their site, but other schools in Marseille have prices around ~ 299 € to 445 € for the coastal course. (See examples below.)

• Google rating: 4.6/5

A BORD Permis Bateau

• Address: 84 rue de Lodi, 13006 Marseille

• Telephone: 04 91 67 33 96

• Rates: for coastal license: 390 € excluding tax stamp (tax stamp: 78 € + exam 30 €)

• Google rating: 5/5

ENF Marseille - French Navigation School

• Address: 315 Corniche du Président John F Kennedy, 13007 Marseille

• Rates for 2025: Coastal license weekend/week at 445 €, or 295 € on special offer, and offshore extension at 445 € (instead of 545 €)

• Google rating: 4.6/5

🌅 The best spots for sailing around Marseille

Between secret coves, wild islands and limestone cliffs, Marseille's coastline is a veritable paradise for RIB enthusiasts. Here are the must-do itineraries to discover from the Old Port, with our tips for safe and enjoyable sailing.

🏞️ The Calanques of Sormiou, Morgiou and Sugiton

⏱️ Sailing time from the Old Port: around 40 to 60 minutes, depending on weather and cruising speed
📍 Course to take: southeast, towards Cap Croisette, then along the coast towards Cassis

These three emblematic calanques of the Parc National des Calanques offer a breathtaking natural spectacle. The high white cliffs plunge into turquoise waters where it's a pleasure to stop for a swim.

Things to see and do :

• Sormiou: the largest calanque, sheltered from the Mistral, ideal for anchoring for a few hours. There's a small fishermen's restaurant, Le Château, accessible only by sea or footpath.

• Morgiou: picturesque and wilder, with a few typically Marseillais cabanons and an end-of-the-world atmosphere.

• Sugiton: accessible only by boat or on foot, famous for its rocky islet nicknamed Le Torpilleur. The crystal-clear water is perfect for snorkeling.

💡 Navigation tip: beware of protected areas and National Park regulations - anchoring is strictly regulated, depending on the season and the nature of the seabed. Always consult the map of authorized areas before dropping anchor.

🌊 Cassis Bay and Cap Canaille

⏱️ Sailing time: approx. 1 hr. 15 min. from the Old Port
📍 Heading: southeast, past the Sugiton and En-Vau creeks.

Cassis Bay marks the end of the Calanques massif and the entrance to a picture-postcard setting dominated by Cap Canaille, Europe's highest maritime cliff.

What to see / What to do :

• Anchor at the entrance to the Port Miou calanque (no unauthorized entry).

• Enjoy a swim in the bay before docking at the port of Cassis for lunch on the terrace.

• For divers, the Pain de Sucre site offers superb rocky depths accessible from a semi-rigid boat.

💡 Sailing tip: the area can be busy in summer; set sail early in the morning to avoid overcrowding at the port and eddies due to the easterly swell.

🏝️ Îles du Frioul and Château d'If

⏱️ Sailing time: 20 to 30 minutes from the Old Port
📍 Heading: due south, out of the port, aim for the Château d'If visible from the coast.

Just a stone's throw from the city center, the Frioul archipelago is an easy and spectacular getaway. It comprises four islands: Pomègues, Ratonneau, Tiboulen and If.

Things to see and do :

• Château d'If: Count de Monte-Cristo's famous prison, accessible by sea.

• Île de Ratonneau: sheltered anchorage in the Calanque de Saint-Estève, ideal for swimming.

• Île de Pomègues: a wild island with footpaths offering panoramic views over Marseille.

• Diving and snorkeling in the clear waters between the two islands.

💡 Sailing tip: beware of shallow waters around the islands and tourist traffic in summer. Saint-Estève's sandy seabed makes for a safe anchorage in light winds.

🌋 Cap Croisette and Maïre Island

⏱️ Sailing time: 30 to 40 minutes from the Vieux-Port
📍 Heading: south, towards Baie des Singes

Located at the southern tip of Marseille, Cap Croisette and Île Maïre mark the entrance to the Parc National des Calanques. This is a spectacular area where the rocks take on ochre and volcanic hues, contrasting with the intense blue of the sea.

What to see / What to do :

• Anchor in the Baie des Singes, a legendary spot for Marseillais.

• Observe the seabed around Île Maïre: an ideal snorkeling area.

• Lunch or aperitif at La Baie des Singes restaurant, accessible by sea.

💡 Sailing tip: the pass between Cap Croisette and Île Maïre is narrow and subject to currents; stay alert, especially in westerly winds.

💡 Avoid summer weekends for more peaceful sailing, and respect the regulated areas of the Parc National des Calanques.

🛥️ Live a unique experience: the semi-rigid outing in the Old Port

You don't own a semi-rigid boat? Would you like to try before you buy? No problem!

The Marseille Tourist Office is offering a private outing on a RIB, perfect for families or groups of friends:

⏱️ Duration: 3h30
💰 From 820 € for 11 people max
📍 Departure: Marseille Old Port
🚤 Itinerary: Cap Croisette, Calanques de Morgiou, Sormiou, Sugiton, Cassis
💦 Swimming, snorkeling, skipper and fuel included.

An ideal way to discover the coast from another angle, without worrying about navigation.

👉 Reservations: marseille-tourisme.com

⚙️ Orca Retail, partner to RIB enthusiasts

Whether you own a Bombard, Zodiac, or another RIB, Orca Retail supports Marseille-based yachtsmen with highly resistant floats and repair fabrics, designed for the Mediterranean Sea.

Our professional solutions ensure watertightness, safety and durability for your boat, whether it's moored in the Old Port or ready to take on the calanques.

Discover our complete range on orcaretail.com and plan your next trip to Marseille with complete confidence!