Paddle La Ciotat: Private Kayak Rental to Ile Verte, Bec de l'Aigle & Calanque du Mugel
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6–7 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; you should be comfortable paddling intermittently for several hours and able to swim.
Overview
Launch from La Ciotat’s new port and spend a day exploring Ile Verte, the dramatic Bec de l'Aigle, and the sheltered Calanque du Mugel by kayak. This private rental offers a close-to-water perspective of the Calanques with maps and weather briefings to help you pick the right route.
Paddle La Ciotat: Private Kayak Rental to Ile Verte, Bec de l'Aigle & Calanque du Mugel
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You push off from the new port as the town unwraps itself behind you — tile roofs, the low hum of a kitchen, a fisherman tightening a net. The water out front is unusually clear; a pale green that deepens where the drop-off begins. Paddling east takes you past Ile Verte’s scrubbed rock, then toward the jutting limestone of Bec de l'Aigle. From the cockpit the Calanques feel immediate: vertical cliffs, secret inlets, and the sea daring you to edge closer and listen to the tide and wind negotiate the day.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Start early for calmer seas
Morning paddling typically offers lighter winds and glassier water—ideal for linking multiple calanques safely.
Protect the posidonia
Avoid landing or paddling over seagrass meadows; they’re vital marine habitat and easily damaged by blades and anchors.
Bring reef shoes
Rocky beaches and submerged shelves are common—footwear with grip protects feet when beaching or exploring coves.
Check the Mistral forecast
Strong northerly winds can make return crossings difficult; confirm the day’s wind window before you go.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bottlenose dolphin
- Audouin's gull
History
La Ciotat has shipbuilding roots and is tied to early cinema—fragments of 19th-century port life were captured by the Lumière brothers.
Conservation
The Calanques National Park protects both terrestrial cliffs and marine life; stay out of marked no-anchoring zones and avoid disturbing seagrass beds.
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Adventure Hotspots in La Ciotat
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Dry bag (10–20L)
Keeps phone, camera, and spare layers dry during long day trips.
Reef or water shoes
Protects feet on rocky landings and in shallow, uneven water.
summer specific
Sun protection (hat + high-SPF sunscreen)
The Mediterranean sun reflects strongly off the water—frequent reapplication is necessary.
summer specific
Snorkel mask
Great for exploring underwater features and posidonia beds when you stop to swim.
summer specific