FAQ

Our fleet consists of 5 ships.
The name of your boat and its boarding point are always shown on your ticket.

• If you purchased your ticket on our website: the boat name appears clearly.

• If you purchased your ticket elsewhere, the wording "Town Hall", "Criée" or "Mucem" directly indicates your boarding point.

 Eco Calanques 1 & Bruine Beer

70 quai du Port – 13002 Marseille
 GPS coordinates: 43.295450, 5.370291

➡️ Opposite the Marseille City Hall
➡️ Port PH2, right bank

 Eco Calanques 2

35 quai de Rive Neuve – 13007 Marseille
GPS coordinates: 43.293883, 5.367206

➡️ Opposite the theatre La Criée
➡️ Left Bank

 Eco Calanques 5 (Pinball)

1 Esplanade J4 – 13002 Marseille
 GPS coordinates: 43.296312, 5.360816

➡️ On the corner of the Mucem museum
➡️ Just after the footbridge of the Fort Saint-Jean

 Important advice

Please carefully check the name of your boat on your ticket before departure:
boarding locations vary depending on the ship.

If the weather isn't on our side

At sea, the absolute priority is your safety and comfort.
This is why the captain is the only one who can decide whether the outing can go ahead, and under what conditions. He knows the sea, our boats and the area's typical weather patterns: you can trust him.

1) We can go out, but the plan needs to be adapted

For example: a swell prevents us from entering the heart of the National Park.
In that case, we suggest an alternative route, always beautiful and suited to the conditions.

• You accept this change → the outing takes place, with no possibility of a full or partial refund afterwards.

• You prefer not to change your plans → you can reschedule your outing (subject to availability) or get a refund.

Our aim: for you to still enjoy a pleasant moment, safely.

2) Conditions make it completely impossible to go to sea

When the weather makes sailing impossible or dangerous, the outing is cancelled before departure.
In that case:

• We offer another date, if possible

• Or a full refund

No nasty surprises: you lose nothing if we really cannot go out.

Why this rule?

Quite simply, because the sea deserves respect.
Our sailors are experienced professionals : they know when to sail, when to change course, and when to stay in port. Their decision depends on your safety and that of the ship.

We are a maritime transport company.
Just like airlines, railways or ferry operators, we depart on time in order to stick to our schedule, out of consideration for the other passengers… and the weather.

That is why no delays are possible.
Please allow enough time to reach the boarding point:
departure will take place with or without you, and in the event of a delay, the ticket cannot be refunded.

To help you arrive with peace of mind:

• The exact addresses of boarding are shown on your tickets and on our website

• Our ships are clearly marked in our colours

• Our advisors are available by phone to guide you if needed

However, once departure time arrives, we must leave the dock:
at that point, we can no longer wait for you, or help you find your way around the harbour.

We know that the unexpected can happen: illness, transport delays, last-minute issues…
Unfortunately, as with delays, a no-show reported too late cannot be refunded, as the crew and boat are already mobilised to welcome you.

If you let us know early enough, we do our best to help you:
we put your seat back up for sale and, if it is resold, we refund you in full.

Our goal is simple:
That everyone can fully enjoy their outing, in respect for the time and enjoyment of everyone.

For ticketed outings

No. Departures and arrivals for ticketed outings take place exclusively from the boarding point indicated at the time of booking, at Vieux-Port de Marseille.
No boarding or disembarking at another port is possible for this type of service.

Privatising the boat

As part of a private boat charter departing from Marseille, boarding or disembarking at another point in the Vieux-Port, or at a nearby port, may be considered under certain conditions.

eco-calanques.com does not carry out transfers of more than 5 nautical miles.
Within this radius, boarding or disembarking may in particular be considered:

• at Frioul,

• at one of our other locations in the Vieux-Port de Marseille (Mucem, Criée, in front of the Town Hall),

• or occasionally at other quays of the Vieux-Port (CNTL, private quay, etc.), subject to port authorisations.

This possibility is subject to:

• to favourable weather conditions,

• to theprior approval of the relevant port authorities,

• and to the payment of any applicable port fees, payable by the customer.

Possibilities are assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the desired location, regulatory constraints and the organisation of the outing.

Ticketed outings 

No. The times 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 time constraints before or after the outing, these must be taken into account when booking.

Privatising the boat

Yes, this may be possible as part of a private outing, subject to feasibility.

When making your private charter request, please let us know the preferred times. We review each request based on the season, the requested duration and our schedule.

Peak season
A time request that falls between two usual time slots (for example, between a half-day outing and an evening outing) generally involves charging both the half-day and evening rates, even if the actual duration is shorter.
This type of request prevents us from using the boat across all of our usual time slots.

Low season
The there is more flexibility with timing, which allows us to adapt more easily to your plans.

We do everything we can to make sure your outing is enjoyable from start to finish.
Our boats are stable and we always adapt our navigation to ensure your comfort and your safety.

But it's normal for some people to be more sensitive to the motion of the sea.

To make the most of your trip

Here are a few simple and effective tips:

• Arrive well-rested

• Avoid alcohol before boarding

• Eat something light

• Stay outside and look at the horizon

• Move around a little, breathe deeply and go for a swim

And above all: let the crew know as soon as you arrive.
We will always be able to offer you the most comfortable spot and support you if you're not feeling comfortable.

If you're prone to seasickness

If you know you get seasick easily, a suitable medication can be helpful.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor, who can advise you on the right product and the right dosage.

Anti-nausea treatments are generally more effective when taken before boarding, strictly following the healthcare professional's recommendations.

We do not give any medication on board, and cannot advise on a specific treatment:
it's always best to seek the advice of a specialist for your comfort.

Yes, no problem.
If someone ultimately can't take part, you can replace them with someone else, as long as you let us know in advance.

This allows us to update the passenger list and prepare to welcome you under the best conditions.

Children / adults

• A child instead of an adult :
  the change is possible, but no refund will be issued.

• An adult instead of a child :
  the change is possible, and we will simply ask you to pay the price difference.

What matters most to us is having the correct information before boarding.
If in doubt, the simplest option is to contact us : we'll be happy to get back to you quickly.

Giving a sea trip means giving an unforgettable memory 
Our gift vouchers are valid for 2 years from the date of purchase.

Using them couldn't be simpler:

• Choose your trip

• Enter the voucher code when booking

If a trip has to be cancelled due to weather, the validity will be extended if necessary, so there's no risk of ever “losing” a gift.

For SMARTBOX or GROUPON: contact us by email with the gift voucher number and its confirmation code, your first and last names, a phone number and your preferred date. We’ll take care of registering your booking

And if you have the slightest difficulty when booking, contact us: we're here to make sure this gift remains a pleasure, from start to finish.

We place great importance on the comfort and food safety of our passengers.
However, meals served on board are prepared by external caterers, which involves certain limitations.

Ticketed trips (meals included)

The meals offered are not à la carte.
They are:

• Vegetarian

• With at least part of the buffet is gluten-free

However, we are unfortunately unable to adapt the menus to specific diets or particular allergies.

If you have a food allergy, please let us know before the trip :
we can then check with the caterer whether certain dishes contain identified allergens.

⚠️ Please note : as meals are prepared by external providers,
we cannot guarantee the total absence of allergen traces (cross-contamination).

For significant allergies or strict diets, we strongly recommend that you bring your own food, so you can enjoy the trip with complete peace of mind.

Private charters

For a private charter, the boat is reserved exclusively for you.
We then ask you to inform us in advance of any dietary requirements and allergies.

We will do everything we can with the caterer to meet specific requests.
However, despite our best efforts, we cannot guarantee that all dietary requirements can be met 100%, particularly in the case of severe allergies.

Our priority is your wellbeing.
If in doubt, the best thing to do is contact us before booking : we'll take the time to talk with you and guide you toward the most suitable solution.

This is what allows us to mobilise the crew, the boat, fuel, and all the organisation behind your adventure.

If this threshold is not reached:

• We will offer you a rescheduled date as a priority

• If this doesn't suit you, you will be fully refunded

Our goal is simple: for you to experience a wonderful experience, in a friendly group, with no unpleasant surprises.

As a general rule, animals are not allowed on board our ticketed trips (trips open to the public).
This applies to all animals, whether a large dog or a very small companion.

Assistance or medical animals (guide dogs, service dogs...) are of course welcome on board, in accordance with regulations.

This rule is primarily designed for:

• The the comfort of other passengers

• And above all the wellbeing of the animals, for whom a sea trip can be long, stressful and not well suited

Private charters

During a privatisation, the boat is entirely reserved for you.
In this case, we can accept animals only :

• On short trips (half-day or evening)

• Provided we are certain the animal can stay calm and safe on board

However, animals are not allowed during full-day trips (around 7 hours), in order to preserve their comfort and safety.

If you're unsure or have a specific situation, contact us before booking :
we'll always take the time to talk with you to find the best possible solution, with respect for everyone.

Our trips are designed to be accessible to everyone : families, the curious, sea lovers, whether sporty or not.
On board, everyone experiences it at their own pace : admiring the scenery, chatting, swimming, taking photos... no performance is expected.

For swimming:

• You simply need to know how to swim

• A buoyancy vest is available if you feel you need one

If you are pregnant, have a health condition, reduced mobility or a particular apprehension:
let us know before the trip. We will always do our utmost to welcome you safely and and without stress.

The sea is a pleasure to share, with no pressure and and respect for everyone.