Marseille catamaran tour: Old Port, Château d'If & Frioul Islands

Swim in a turquoise cove between Château d'If and the wild Frioul cliffs.

A full-day catamaran tour from Marseille's Old Port aboard the Elba 45, visiting Château d'If and the Frioul Islands with stops for swimming, snorkeling and lunch. You sail past the city's landmarks (Mucem, the Cathedral of the Major, Pharo Palace), then anchor in a secluded cove where you swim, paddle, or use a sea scooter before a catered buffet lunch with wine. The departure time adjusts daily to sync with cruise ship schedules.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Old Port of Marseille15m
2. Vallon des Auffespassing by
3. Chateau d'Ifpassing by
4. Frioul Islandspassing by

Catamaran tour of Marseille and Friuli

• Embark on Elba 45 catamaran
• Admire Old Port and city monuments
• View Vallon des Auffes fishing port
• Pass Ile Degaby island
• See Château d’If fortress from sea
• Pass Friuli archipelago islets
• Stop at Calanque du Morgiret cove
• Swim, snorkel, and enjoy aperitif
• Have buffet lunch with drinks
• Return to Port of Corbière

The experience

The boat leaves the Old Port and heads straight into Marseille's maritime landmarks: the Mucem, the Cathedral of the Major, Pharo Palace and Fort Saint-Jean slip past as you climb to the rooftop deck with a welcome coffee. The captain then steers toward Vallon des Auffes, a small fishing port tucked at the foot of the Corniche where traditional boats and coloured houses still hold the city's older rhythm. From there, the route opens to open water: past Île Degaby with its 16th-century Fort de Tourville, then to Château d'If, the fortress-prison that Alexandre Dumas made famous in The Count of Monte Cristo. The castle sits on a rocky island facing the city, and from the water it reads as a single silhouette against the Mediterranean.

The Frioul Islands come next, a scatter of islets carved by the sea into cliffs and turquoise shallows. The catamaran anchors in Calanque du Morgiret, a cove that feels removed from the city you left hours before. This is where the day shifts from watching to doing: you can swim off the deck, snorkel in the clear water to watch fish move through the shallows, or rent a sea scooter to cover more ground. A spritz aperitif waits on deck while you dry off.

Lunch is a cold buffet prepared by a caterer (fresh fruit, charcuterie, bread) with unlimited rosé wine, soft drinks, coffee and tea included. You eat facing the water, the boat still anchored in the cove. After lunch, there is time to swim again or simply sit with the landscape before the return to Port de Corbière. The schedule adjusts each day so that passengers on cruise ships return on time for their departure.

What’s included

• Welcome coffee at the start.
• snorkeling equipment.
• spritz aperitif.
• cold buffet lunch with fresh fruit.
• unlimited rosé wine, soft drinks, coffee and tea.
• sea scooter rental.
• paddle rental.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 09:45Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 5 years): free · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Azur Caribbean

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to swim and snorkel in a quiet cove rather than just watch from the boat, and if your cruise ship schedule needs a departure time that syncs with your return to port.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years); Child (2 to 5 years): free; Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Château d'If and why does it matter?

Château d'If is a 16th-century fortress built on a rocky island in Marseille's harbor that served as a prison and became famous as the setting for Alexandre Dumas's novel The Count of Monte Cristo. You pass it by boat and see it from the water as part of the day's route.

Can I swim and snorkel during this tour?

Yes. The catamaran anchors in Calanque du Morgiret, a cove where you can swim off the deck, snorkel with provided equipment to see fish in the clear water, or use a sea scooter to explore further.

What does lunch include?

Lunch is a cold buffet prepared by a caterer with fresh fruit and charcuterie, accompanied by unlimited rosé wine, soft drinks, coffee and tea.

How does this tour work if I'm on a cruise ship?

The departure time adjusts each day so you return to port on time for your ship's departure. Transportation from the cruise terminal to the boat's departure point can be arranged.

What are the Frioul Islands like?

The Frioul Islands are a group of small islets off the coast of Marseille known for turquoise waters, sea-carved cliffs and quiet ports. The tour anchors in a cove there where you can swim and snorkel before lunch.