Sea Kayak Getaway Calanques de Cassis - Day trip
⚠️ A few precautions for the Cassis outing
The kayak trip from Cassis is a wonderful adventure... but it's not for everyone. It requires good physical condition and a taste for adventure.
👉 Right from the start, the kayaks (weighing around 45 kg) have to be carried along 600 meters of road, then hauled back up at the end of the outing. Sea conditions are often more demanding than in La Ciotat, with larger swells and frequent winds.
This makes it an unforgettable experience for adventurers. But if that sounds too complicated, the La Ciotat exit may be more suitable:
- quick and easy launching,
- better protected area
- magnificent landscapes quickly visible
- everything has been designed to make discovery as easy as possible.
Availability:
Details of the outing
Kayak discovery day in Cassis - Calanques, caves, cliffs and swimming with an enthusiastic guide
Want to experience the Calanques de Cassis to the full? Take a full-day sea kayak tour (approx. 6-7 hours) in the heart of the National Park, accompanied by a guide with a passion for nature and the region. An unforgettable immersion in grandiose landscapes accessible only by sea.
🛶 Your day's program:
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Departure from Cassis
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Discover the emblematic calanques: Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau
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Kayak tour of secret sea caves in Cassis by day (weather permitting)
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Sailing at the foot of the breathtaking Devenson cliffs
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Shared picnic in a wild cove, feet in the water
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Free time for swimming, relaxing and exploring
Throughout this small-group adventure, your guide will share stories, geology, marine flora and fauna for a day rich in emotion, discovery and connection with nature.
ℹ️ Practical information :
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🕒 Duration: 6h to 7h of activity (breaks included)
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👤 F rom age 12
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💪 Good physical condition required (two-person kayak for 600 m)
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👟 Closed-toe shoes mandatory (Crocs, sneakers - rental possible at €4)
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🧺 Bring your picnic, water, hat and sunscreen
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📍 Meeting point: 10 minutes before the start: Point gps Expenature Access behind the tennis courts of the Presque-ile de Cassis
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🚍 Access:
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SNCF train station + bus to Cassis
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Parking: les gorguettes relay parking lot with shuttle bus to the center
🧘♀️ What you'll love :
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The diversity of landscapes between creeks, caves and cliffs
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The relaxed rhythm
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Sharing, swimming and discovering in a friendly atmosphere
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A passionate local guide who will make you love Provence even more by kayaking Cassis one-day trip
Why choose a guided activity rather than a rental?
- Optimal safety: With an experienced guide, enjoy your outing with complete peace of mind, even in hard-to-reach areas or when facing currents.
Comfort all year round: Our decked kayaks protect you from the sun in summer and keep you warm in winter.
Unique and fast exploration: You'll reach creeks and coves inaccessible from land more quickly for an unforgettable marine experience.
Stability and space: Decked kayaks offer more comfort for admiring the scenery or taking photos.
Learning and personalized advice: The guide shares tips, techniques, and information about the local flora and fauna, enriching your outing.
What to bring for the outing
Mandatory shoes: water shoes, closed-heel sneakers, or sandals. Flip-flops, Birkenstocks, or bare feet are not accepted. On-site rental available if needed.
Hydration and meals: bring plenty of water and, for full-day outings, a picnic.
Sun protection: swimsuit, anti-UV t-shirt/long sleeve, hat, and sunscreen.
What to take with you
- Liters of water and all sun protection equipment.
- picnics and snacks, as no catering facilities will be available.
- good walking shoes
- a little patience
Where to go and how?
On foot: Hikes from Cassis into the park start at the end of chemin des calanques Cassis. Park staff are often on hand to show you the way. We also recommend routes available on applications such as VisoRando. Signposts to the calanques are found throughout the park, as are hiking markers.
By kayak: Meet behind the tennis courts on the Presque-ile de Cassis
Access : Please note that there is very little parking on site- Bus line 78, 79 from La Ciotat to Marseille
- Best parking: "les gorguettes" park-and-ride and shuttle bus to the "presque-ile" - Several parking lots in town. Nearest, parking along the presque-île. Pay parking at the end of the peninsula, cash only.
- Train to Cassis, then bus to the Presque-île. Routes from all over the PACA region
Opening of the Calanques park to be checked
Please note that the park is subject to regulations regarding its opening in the face of fire risks. Every day at 6 p.m. we know if the park will be open the next day via this link
Did you know? As the national park is closed, no access is possible except by sea, with our guided kayak outing! A great alternative for enjoying the area without any tourists. Of course, we won't be able to disembark at the calanques, but with our boats it's just the same.
Which Calanques to visit?
- The three emblematic calanques
🌊 Calanque de Port-Miou
Description: Closest to the port of Cassis, Port-Miou is a long calanque that today houses a marina. Its turquoise waters and limestone cliffs make it an ideal gateway to the park.
Access: Directly accessible on foot from Cassis center (10-minute walk). Or by kayak, starting point of the outing
🌿 Calanque de Port-Pin
Description: Nestled between two cliffs, this cove is renowned for its pine trees that slope down to the sea and its fine sand. It's one of the most popular coves for families.
Access: 30 to 40-minute walk from Cassis, via Port-Miou (30-minute kayak trip)
🏞️ Calanque d'En-Vau
Description: Probably the most spectacular, with vertiginous cliffs plunging into deep blue water. It's the postcard of the Parc National des Calanques.
Access: Sporty hike (1h30 to 2h from Cassis via Port-Miou and Port-Pin). Also accessible by kayak (35min) during peak tourist season, which allows us to really see the calanque without the constraints of space and access.
- Lesser-known spots in the calanques from Cassis
Devenson cliff
After En-Vau, the cliffs become even more spectacular: vertical, white and plunging into the sea. It's one of the most impressive sites on Marseille's coastline. In summer, access is restricted. But if you're kayaking, you won't need an access pass.
To be seen only by kayak: steep cliffs, small sea caves.
Calanque de l'Oule
A wild cove, difficult to access on foot, but easily accessible by kayak. We almost always go there by kayak on our day tours.
Sugiton cove
Popular with hikers and kayakers for its two small beaches and famous "torpedo" rock. You'll need a full day to get there on foot. Sometimes, on our day kayak tours, we get there in good weather.
Explore the calanques from La Ciotat to Marseille: hiking or kayaking?
Provence is a dream destination for nature and adventure lovers. Between La Ciotat, Cassis and Marseille, the Parc National des Calanques boasts a landscape unlike any other in the world: white limestone cliffs, secret coves, Mediterranean pines and turquoise waters. These treasures can be discovered on foot during a hike, or by sea kayak from Cassis. But what's the best way to visit the calanques?
Calanques on foot: the classic hike in Provence
Hiking is the best-known way to explore the calanques. From Cassis, you can easily reach the calanques of Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau. Further afield, on the Marseille side, trails lead to Sugiton, Morgiou or Sormiou.
Benefits of hiking :
- Spectacular panoramas from the heights.
- Total immersion in the garrigue of Provence: the scent of thyme, rosemary and pine.
- Some beaches can be reached for a swim.
Disadvantages of hiking :
- Access is often long and difficult (up to 2 hours' walk to En-Vau).
- Steep, stony trails not suitable for families.
- Frequent access restrictions in summer (fire hazard).
- Some paths are very busy (especially during the tourist season).
Explore the calanques by kayak: a unique experience from the sea
Sea kayaking is the ideal way to discover the calanques in a different way. Departing from Cassis, La Ciotat or Marseille, you'll have direct access to the heart of the most beautiful creeks, without the effort of hiking.
Advantages of kayaking in the calanques :
- Direct access to the most beautiful calanques: Port-Pin, En-Vau, Sugiton... without walking for hours.
- Sail at your own pace along the cliffs and sea caves.
- Stop for a swim in secret coves.
- Activity accessible to all, including families.
- Respect for nature: the kayak is silent and leaves no trace.
- Unique sensations: glide over turquoise water at the foot of limestone cliffs.
Compared to hiking :
- No long walks in the sun.
- No fire-related access restrictions (kayaking is permitted even in summer).
- A unique view from the sea: breathtaking cliffs, caves and landscapes inaccessible by foot.
Provence, Cassis, Marseille, La Ciotat: a paradise to discover by kayak
Sea kayaking is an authentic experience in the south of France, between the Mediterranean and Provence. Whether it's for a half-day or a full day, a kayak excursion allows you to easily link several calanques, swim in crystal-clear water and admire the cliffs from a privileged angle.
👉 If you're looking for an unforgettable adventure in Provence, kayaking in the calanques of Cassis and Marseille is undoubtedly the better option than hiking.