Calanque de Port-Pin boat tour

The Calanques from Marseille to Cassis

Calanques tour
Calanques boat tour: Calanque de Port Pin
Can be adapted according to weather and swimming conditions

Port-Pin Calanque by boat

Why choose to arrive by sea?

Port-Pin is the most wooded of the calanques, famous for the Aleppo pines that literally cling to the rocky walls. Located on the border between Marseille and Cassis, it offers a very popular beach of pebbles and fine sand. While the hiking trail from Port-Miou seems short, it is extremely worn down by foot traffic, becoming very slippery and uncomfortable in the summer heat. Approaching by sea allows you to bypass these crowds and admire the emerald waters reflecting the forest’s green hues.

Did you know? While walking requires a strenuous hike over rocks polished by time, our speedboat transports you to this peaceful haven in just 50 minutes from Marseille's Old Port or 15 minutes from Cassis.

Navigation and anchoring in Port-Pin

  • Anchoring conditions: Port-Pin is a shallow calanque with a fragile sedimentary bottom. Anchoring is strictly regulated by the National. We carefully select our stopping zones at the edge of the swimming area to ensure a total immersion while respecting the marine ecosystem.
  • Weather protection: thanks to its narrow shape and the orientation of its walls, Port-Pin is remarkably protected from west winds and the Mistral. It is a prime anchoring spot for swimming in calm waters when the sea gets rough offshore, specially when the boat is departing from Cassis.

The pines and the art of living

  • An oasis of freshness: unlike its more mineral neighbors, Port-Pin takes its name from the density of Aleppo pines that grow down to sea level. This dense vegetation creates a unique color contrast between the white limestone, the green trees, and the blue water.
  • The "Blowhole" (Trou du Souffleur) passage: just before entering the calanque, your captain can show you a geological curiosity on the coast: a crack in the rock where air compressed by the swell escapes with a characteristic whistling sound, evoking the breathing of the sea.
  • Natural Heritage: in the past, the 'pescadous' (local fishermen) moored their boats in this natural harbor to rest under the pine forest, which still gives the calanque its name. With the advent of the leisure society, pedal boats replaced fishing, and a popular tavern (guinguette) was established at the foot of the rocks; its stone walls can still be glimpsed today. This was an era when the shore was accessed by 4CV cars, an atmosphere immortalized in the cult film Borsalino (1970). Between scenes of the Marseille underworld featuring Delon and Belmondo, the camera captures a Port-Pin that has now vanished, where cars used to park directly on the sand.

Discover also: Sormiou, Morgiou, Sugiton, En-Vau, Port-Miou

Calanques tour

The Calanque of Port-Pin

Calanque de Port-Pin FAQ

Port-Pin takes its name from the Aleppo pine forest that clings to its rocky walls, offering a striking color contrast between the emerald green of the vegetation and the turquoise blue of the water. Unlike its more mineral neighbors, it exudes a softer atmosphere. It is also a 'stepped' calanque, made up of several natural terraces that descend to a charming sand and pebble beach. We love taking you there.

Yes, its clarity is exceptional. This is due to its light sandy bottom and shallow depth at the entrance, which perfectly reflect the sunlight. From a boat, this transparency offers a magical sight: you can observe the seabed and the Posidonia seagrass meadows with incredible sharpness, as if the vessel were levitating over a giant aquarium.

We enter the Port-Pin channel to allow you to visit it as closely as possible, but we do not reach the water's edge at the beach. To protect the many swimmers and the fragile ecosystem of this narrow Calanque, navigation is limited. Our skippers position the boat to give you a perfect panoramic view of the entire site before heading to a nearby authorized mooring area. Strong swimmers will be able to reach the beach.

This is one of its great advantages. Thanks to its orientation and winding walls, Port-Pin is particularly well protected from the Mistral (North-West wind). When the sea is rough offshore, the interior of the Calanque often remains as calm and smooth as a lake. It is a choice stopover to enjoy a moment of serenity on the boat and peaceful sailing, even when conditions are more challenging elsewhere.