The 5 Best Boat Trips with Swimming in France

1.From Marseille: Iconic Calanques Boat Tour with Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,017 reviews · 3 hours - 270 minutes · from $93Our pick

Join a small group of up to 12 for a fast, scenic boat ride through Marseille’s Calanques National Park. Swim near Riou Island, Morgiou, Port Pin, or the Blue Cave, depending on timing and conditions. Guides such as Stefan, Clementine, Julia, and Marie share local stories, provide gear and drinks, and adjust the route for the sea.

“It was a wonderful and enjoyable experience! Guide was great at giving good information and navigating the sometimes choppy waters while giving great advice on how to get the most out of the experience (recommending wetsuits for cold waters, giving tips on how and where to swim, etc). Lovely time overall”

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2.Marseille: Côte Bleue Calanques Boat Tour with Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 663 reviews · 3h 30m · from $105

Leave Marseille’s Old Port on a small boat for 3.5 hours along the quieter Côte Bleue. Swim at Eaux Salées, Méjean, Madrague, and Éverine, enter sea caves when conditions allow, and stop at La Redonne. French guides including Thomas, Laurent, Cédric, and Maxence lead the trip. Snorkel gear, drinks, biscuits, and a bathing ladder are provided.

“It was such a great day out! Would do it over again if I had the chance. The skipper was friendly and spoke really good English he took us to some really lovely spots to swim, he had snorkels and goggles for us to use too. The sea was beautiful and we saw lots of fish, and jellyfish. We booked it last minute and was so glad we did! Would recommend to all. The offered life jackets to the children and even stopped in a little port for refreshments and comfort break.”

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3.Fréjus : Esterel Calanques Cruise (Comfort Boat) + Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 522 reviews · 2h 30m · from $64

From Port Fréjus, you’ll cruise the red volcanic coast toward Cap Dramont, the Golden Island, and the Corniche d’Or aboard a comfortable motorboat. Your French and English-speaking crew will point out caves, coves, and coastal history, then stop for swimming. Expect drinks, music, and some bumpy, splashy fun on the way back.

“We got to see and swim in the lovely waters along the coast. The guide was very informative and explained the history of a few places aswell as other bits of information. Would definitely recommend.”

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4.Marseille: Frioul Islands Boat Tour with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 506 reviews · 2 hours · from $81

Join a small boat tour from the Mucem for two hours along Marseille’s coast and around the Frioul Islands. Your French and English speaking skipper, such as Gilles, Tomas, or César, points out the Château d’If, Vallon des Auffes, coves, and Hôpital Caroline. Swim in a sheltered inlet, use the onboard masks and snorkels, then stop at Port de Frioul.

“We loved the entire trip - the journey, swimming, views, island stop. The skipper was very friendly and took care of the passengers (for example - advising when not to sit on the port side of the RIB, making sure we get to a safe place to swim), he explained about the important landmarks and made sure we made the most, made it fun too, did not rush us when getting back from the island stop, gave quality time for the swim. Because there was us (English commentary needing people) and people needing French, the skipper had to cater for both and therefore we didn’t manage to get full details…”

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5.French Riviera Swimming and Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 424 reviews · 2 hours · from $58Best value

Leave from the Poseidon office in Nice for a wooden-boat cruise along the Côte d’Azur. After about 30 minutes, stop in Villefranche Bay near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for roughly 90 minutes of swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. Equipment and wetsuits are supplied, and English- and French-speaking crew provide a safety briefing.

“So cool to see Nice and Villefranche Sur Mer from the water, the views were amazing! Water was very clear, blue, and warm. A unique way to experience the Côte D’Azur.”

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