Frequently Asked Questions
Our fleet consists of 5 boats.
The name of your boat and your boarding location are always shown on your ticket.
If you purchased your ticket on our website: the boat name is clearly displayed.
If you purchased your ticket elsewhere, the mention “Mairie,” “Criée” or “Mucem” indicates your boarding point.
Eco Calanques 1 & Bruine Beer
📍 70 quai du Port – 13002 Marseille
GPS Coordinates: 43.295450, 5.370291
➡️ In front of the Marseille Town Hall
➡️ Port PH2, right bank
Eco Calanques 2
📍 35 quai de Rive Neuve – 13007 Marseille
GPS Coordinates: 43.293883, 5.367206
➡️ In front of the La Criée theatre
➡️ Left bank
Eco Calanques 5 (Pinball)
📍 1 Esplanade J4 – 13002 Marseille
GPS Coordinates: 43.296312, 5.360816
➡️ At the corner of the Mucem museum
➡️ Just after the Fort Saint-Jean footbridge
Important Advice
Please check the boat name on your ticket before departure, as the boarding locations differ depending on the vessel.
At sea, your safety and comfort are our top priorities.
The captain is the only one who can decide whether the outing can take place and under what conditions.
1) If we can go out but the itinerary must change
For example, if high swell prevents entry into the National Park, we may offer an alternative route.
If you accept the change, the trip proceeds and no refund is possible afterward.
If you prefer not to change the program, you can reschedule (subject to availability) or receive a refund.
2) If the sea conditions make navigation impossible
In this case, the outing is cancelled before departure.
We will offer you another date, if possible.
Or a full refund.
We operate like other transport companies: departures are on time to respect schedules, other passengers, and the weather.
If you arrive late, we must depart with or without you, and tickets cannot be refunded due to a delay.
To help you arrive on time:
The exact boarding addresses are on your tickets and on our website.
Our vessels are clearly identified by our colors.
Our advisers are available by phone, in our buisiness hours if needed.
Ticketed trips
No. Departures and returns for ticketed trips take place exclusively from the boarding point indicated at the time of booking, located at the Old Port of Marseille (Vieux-Port).
No boarding or disembarking at another port is possible for this type of service.
Private boat charter
As part of a private boat charter departing from Marseille, boarding or disembarking at another point in the Old Port, or at a nearby port, may be considered under certain conditions.
eco-calanques.com does not carry out transfers exceeding 5 nautical miles.
Within this perimeter, boarding or disembarking may notably be considered:
at Frioul,
at one of our other locations in the Old Port of Marseille (MUCEM, La Criée, in front of City Hall),
or occasionally at other quays in the Old Port (CNTL, private quays, etc.), subject to port authority approval.
This option is subject to:
favorable weather conditions,
prior approval from the relevant port authorities,
and payment of any applicable port fees, which are the responsibility of the client.
All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the desired location, regulatory constraints, and the organization of the trip.
Ticketed trips
No. Schedules are fixed and cannot be adjusted.
Departures and returns take place at the times indicated at the time of booking, with an operational margin of approximately ±10 minutes.
If you have any constraints before or after the trip, they must be taken into account when making the reservation.
Private boat charter
Yes, this can be considered as part of a private charter, subject to feasibility.
When submitting your private charter request, please indicate your preferred schedule. Each request is reviewed based on the season, the requested duration, and our availability.
High season
A request for a schedule falling between two standard time slots (for example, between a half-day trip and an evening trip) generally results in the half-day + evening rate being charged, even if the actual duration is shorter.
Such a request prevents us from operating the vessel across our usual time slots.
Low season
Scheduling flexibility is greater, allowing us to adapt more easily to your project.
We do everything to make your trip pleasant from start to finish.
Our boats are stable, and navigation is adapted to maximize your comfort.
Tips to feel better:
Arrive rested
Avoid alcohol before boarding
Eat lightly
Stay outside and look at the horizon
Move a little, breathe deeply, or go swim if you feel unwell
If you are prone to seasickness, consult a pharmacist or doctor for advice or medication — we cannot provide medicines on board.
We place great importance on the comfort and food safety of our passengers.
However, meals served on board are prepared by external catering providers, which involves certain limitations.
Scheduled Group Cruises (meals included)
Meals are not made to order.
They are:
Vegetarian
With at least part of the buffet gluten-free
Unfortunately, we are not able to adapt menus to specific dietary requirements or individual food allergies.
If you have a food allergy, please inform us before the cruise.
We will then check with the caterer whether certain dishes contain identified allergens.
⚠️ Important notice:
As meals are prepared by external providers, we cannot guarantee the complete absence of allergen traces (cross-contamination).
For severe allergies or strict dietary requirements, we strongly recommend that you bring your own food, in order to enjoy the cruise with complete peace of mind.
Private Charters
For private charters, the boat is reserved exclusively for your group.
We ask that you inform us in advance of all dietary requirements and food allergies.
We will do our best, together with the caterer, to accommodate specific requests.
However, despite our commitment, we cannot guarantee that all dietary requirements can be fully met, particularly in cases of severe allergies.
Your well-being is our priority.
If in doubt, the best approach is to contact us before booking: we will take the time to discuss your needs and guide you toward the most suitable solution.
If a participant can no longer attend, can someone else take their place?
Yes, absolutely.
If a participant is unable to attend, you may replace them with another person, provided that you inform us in advance.
This allows us to update the passenger list and prepare for boarding under the best conditions.
Children / Adults
A child replacing an adult:
The change is possible, but no refund can be issued.An adult replacing a child:
The change is possible, and you will simply be asked to pay the price difference.
What matters most to us is having accurate information before boarding.
If you are unsure, the easiest solution is to contact us — we will be happy to help and respond quickly.
Gift vouchers are valid for 2 years from the purchase date.
To use them:
Choose your trip
Enter the gift voucher code when booking
If a cruise is cancelled due to weather, the validity will be extended — ensuring you don’t lose the gift.
For SMARTBOX or GROUPON vouchers, contact us by email with the voucher number, confirmation code, your names, and desired date — we will register your reservation
A minimum number is required to operate a cruise.
If this threshold is not met:
We prioritize a rescheduled date
Or offer a full refund
In general, pets are not accepted on our group cruises, to ensure comfort for all passengers.
Service/assistance animals are welcome according to regulations.
For private bookings, we may accept dogs on short cruises (half-day or evening) if they remain calm and safe — but not on full-day cruises
To enjoy your outing, bring:
Sunscreen, hat
Swimsuit and towel
Water bottle & snack
Warm clothing if the trip ends late
Masks and snorkels may be provided depending on the activities booked and are indicated at reservation.
Our outings are designed to be accessible to everyone: families, curious travelers, nature lovers, or less active passengers.
For swims: you must be able to swim, and life jackets are available if needed.
If you are pregnant, have mobility issues, or special needs, let us know before the outing so we can assist you safely.