Kayaking La Ciotat: Calanques National Park sea caves

Three hours paddling sea caves, coves and the Eagle Beak without arranging the gear

Guided sea kayaking in Calanques National Park near La Ciotat takes you through turquoise waters to explore the Green Island, Eagle Beak and Mugel Creek over three hours, with a local guide, all equipment, showers and photos included. Children are welcome from age 6; the guide speaks English and French. Parking is payable at check-in on the day of the tour.

The Experience

You meet at the new port in La Ciotat and paddle out into Calanques National Park, a stretch of protected coastline where limestone cliffs drop into water so clear you see the seabed. The guide leads you past the Eagle Beak (Bec de l'Aigle), a rock formation that juts into the sea, and into the Mugel Creek (Calanque du Mugel), a narrow inlet where the water sits still between high walls. The kayak sits low enough that you move through the landscape instead of watching it from a distance — the geology, the way the cliffs layer and fracture, becomes something you're inside of rather than looking at.

The Green Island (Ile Verte) sits offshore, and the route takes you around it to see how the light changes the water color depending on depth and angle. A local guide paddles with you and talks about the biodiversity of the park — what lives in the water, what nests in the cliffs, how the ecosystem works — but the day is built around paddling, not stopping to listen. The kayaks are stable and designed for beginners, so the physical effort stays manageable even if you've never paddled before. All the equipment comes with you: the kayak, paddle, life jacket, and anything else you need to stay safe and comfortable on the water.

The tour runs three hours. Afterward, you have access to showers, toilets and a changing room at the meeting point, and the guide takes photos during the paddle that you can keep. If you want a longer day on the water, a seven-hour full-day option is available; the half-day is the standard choice.

What’s included

• Sea kayak, paddle and life jacket.
• guide in English or French.
• photos during the activity.
• showers, toilets and changing room.
• luggage storage.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by EXPENATURE

Is this one for you?Choose the three-hour paddle if sea caves and coves are your focus; opt for the full-day option to explore deeper into the park with more time on the water.

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Top questions

What's the Eagle Beak and why does the guide take you there?

The Eagle Beak (Bec de l'Aigle) is a distinctive rock formation that rises from the sea along the La Ciotat coastline within Calanques National Park. The guide paddles you past it as part of the route because it's one of the landmark features of this stretch of water, and the kayak lets you see it from angles you can't reach from land.

Do I need kayaking experience to book this?

No. The tour is designed for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced paddlers. The sea kayaks are stable and easy to handle, and the guide leads the group at a pace that works for everyone.

What happens if I want to paddle longer than three hours?

A full-day seven-hour kayaking tour is available as a separate booking option. Both tours depart from the same meeting point and cover the same area of Calanques National Park, with the longer day allowing more time on the water and deeper exploration of the coastline.

Are children allowed on this kayak tour?

Yes. Children are welcome from age 6 and up. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller at the meeting point before and after the paddle.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes the sea kayak, paddle, life jacket and all equipment needed for the activity; a local guide in English or French; photos taken during the paddle; and access to showers, toilets and a changing room afterward. You need to bring water shoes, sneakers or watershoes (mandatory), sun protection like a hat and sunscreen, and drinking water. Parking at the venue is payable separately at check-in on the day of your tour.

Where exactly do I meet the guide, and how do I get there?

The meeting point is EXPENATURE, 168 Avenue Wilson, 13600 La Ciotat, located at the new port. Public transportation options are available nearby, and all areas and surfaces at the venue are wheelchair accessible.