Frioul Islands & Château d'If Boat Trip with Swim Marseille

The MuCEM, Fort Saint-Jean and La Major from the sea

The trip begins in the basin behind the MuCEM, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, at the mouth of the Old Port. From the water you get the classic view of Marseille's waterfront: the dark lace-like cube of the museum, the honey-coloured walls of the 17th-century Fort Saint-Jean and, behind them, the striped domes of the cathedral of La Major.

Your skipper shares stories about the harbour, which has been the heart of Marseille for 2,600 years, as the boat heads out past the breakwaters. For anyone searching for a Marseille boat tour that combines city views with a swim, this first stretch already shows why the city is best seen from the sea.

The Château d'If

A short run offshore brings you to the Château d'If, a square fortress with three round towers built in the 1520s and 1530s on a tiny white island to defend the harbour. It soon became a state prison, and a classic 19th-century adventure novel made it famous across the world. The boat pauses for a photo stop of about 10 minutes while the skipper tells the history of the site.

On this trip the château is admired from the boat; there is no landing and entry is not included. If you want to walk inside, you can return another day by ferry from the Old Port. Seen from the water, with its walls rising straight from the rock, it is one of the most photographed views in Marseille.

The Frioul islands

The Frioul archipelago lies about four kilometres off Marseille. Its two main islands, Pomègues and Ratonneau, were joined by a dyke in the 19th century and shelter a small port, while Ratonneau also keeps the old quarantine hospital built for ships arriving from the East. The islands are a protected natural area of white limestone, sparse scrub and seabird colonies, surrounded by remarkably clear water.

Depending on sea conditions you cruise along the cliffs around Pomègues and Ratonneau, the Calanque des Cambrettes or other coves reachable only by boat. For many travellers this Frioul islands boat trip is the easiest way to discover the wild side of Marseille in a short time, without the long walks needed on land.

Swimming and snorkelling in a Frioul cove

The swimming stop is the heart of the trip. The skipper chooses a secluded cove according to the wind, sea conditions and the number of boats, then you slip into turquoise water from the swim ladder. Masks and snorkels are on board, so you can look for fish, sea urchins and seagrass over the rocky bottom, or simply float and relax.

Bring a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen and sunglasses, and a light jacket for the ride back, which can be breezy. The swim is a central part of the activity, but it can be changed or cancelled if safety conditions do not allow it. The best time for swimming is from June to September, when the water is warmest.

The Vallon des Auffes and the return

On the way back the boat passes the Vallon des Auffes, a tiny fishing harbour tucked under the arches of the Corniche bridge, with traditional wooden boats and stone fishermen’s huts stacked around the inlet. It is one of the most charming corners of Marseille and often a highlight for photographers. The skipper slows down here so you can photograph the little harbour from the water, a view few visitors on land ever get.

The trip ends with a last panorama of the city, with Notre-Dame de la Garde on its hill, as you return to the basin behind the MuCEM. The whole experience lasts about two hours, leaving time to explore the Old Port, the Panier district or the MuCEM afterwards.