Sailing Catamaran Coastal Tour Le Grau-du-Roi

The port and channel of Le Grau-du-Roi

Le Grau-du-Roi takes its name from the "grau", the channel that links the lagoons of the Camargue to the sea, and the town grew up on both banks of it as a fishing village. It is still one of the main fishing ports on the French Mediterranean, and trawlers, small wooden boats and colourful quayside houses line the channel that your catamaran follows out to sea.

Leaving the port is part of the show: you slide past the quays and the swing bridge, then between the breakwaters into open water. It is the best start to any Le Grau-du-Roi boat trip, giving you the town from a sailor’s point of view, and the return in the same channel is just as pretty in the soft afternoon light.

Under sail on the Mediterranean

Once clear of the harbour the crew hoists the mainsail, the engine falls silent and the 21-metre catamaran heels gently into the wind. Because a catamaran rests on two hulls it is stable and smooth, which makes this a comfortable sailing trip even for first-timers and children; you simply sit back and let the boat be carried by the elements.

The professional skipper decides the course according to the wind of the day, always keeping safety first; in adverse weather the trip can be changed or cancelled. Many people searching for a catamaran trip on the Mediterranean in France are surprised by how peaceful it is: just the sound of water on the hulls, the creak of the rigging and the wide horizon.

The coastline of the bay from the sea

From the water the coast reveals its unspoilt side: long sandy beaches, low dunes and the flat horizon of the Camargue, with the town and the marina behind you. To the east the coast runs toward the wild dunes of Espiguette, while inland lies the medieval walled town of Aigues-Mortes, a reminder that this shore has been shaped by salt, sand and sea for centuries.

The captain shares anecdotes about the coast, the fishermen and life at sea, in French. Bring your camera: the view of the coastline from the sea is the reason locals recommend this outing, and the hour passes quickly. The best time to sail is from spring to early autumn, when the afternoon breeze is steady and the light is warm.

Life on board the catamaran

The maxi catamaran is designed for comfort: a spacious deck where you can settle in and enjoy the view, a shaded area to shelter from the sun and an outdoor lounge for a friendly moment together. The welcoming crew looks after passengers throughout the trip, and refreshments and sweet snacks can be bought on board.

Online places are deliberately limited so that the boat is never crowded. Children aged 4 to 10 have their own rate, and the smallest children travel as infants. As this is a one-hour trip with a single afternoon departure, it fits easily into a beach day in Le Grau-du-Roi or a visit to Aigues-Mortes and the Camargue.