Anchoring in the Calanques: regulations and permitted areas

Hiring a boat in Marseille to explore the Calanques of Cassis, Marseille and La Ciotat is an unmissable Mediterranean experience. From the sea, the limestone cliffs, small coves and turquoise waters offer exceptional views of the Provençal coastline. However, recreational boating in the Calanques is subject to specific regulations designed to protect this particularly fragile environment.

Before dropping anchor, it is therefore essential to understand the main rules for anchoring in the Calanques, the prohibited areas and the different types of buoy markers. Here is the key information to know before setting off on your sailing holiday.

Why is anchoring regulated in the Calanques?

The Calanques National Park protects an exceptional area of land and sea. Its regulations aim to preserve natural habitats and reduce the pressure caused by tourism.

One of the main priorities is the protection of Posidonia seagrass meadows. This marine plant forms underwater meadows that are essential to the Mediterranean ecosystem and provide a habitat for many species. However, anchors and chains can cause lasting damage to these meadows. The regulations therefore aim to encourage anchoring on sandy seabeds and manage where boats can stay in the busiest areas.

What are the anchoring rules in the Calanques?

Several rules govern anchoring in the Calanques National Park:

• Vessels over 24 metres long: Anchoring close to the coast is prohibited within a boundary defined by the Park. Designated areas further offshore are provided for very large vessels. This restriction rarely affects typical charter sailing yachts and catamarans, but it does apply to large yachts.
• The Calanques of En-Vau and Port-Pin: In this area near Cassis, anchoring, stopping and drifting are prohibited for all vessels, regardless of their size.
• Anchoring in sandy areas: Permitted areas are marked around Marseille, Cassis, the Frioul Islands and north of Riou Island. Where there is insufficient sand, boats may only use designated mooring buoys.
• A speed limit of 5 knots applies within 300 metres of the shore.
• Playing music or broadcasting other sound is prohibited in several calanques, including Port-Pin, En-Vau and Port-Miou.
• Overnight anchoring: This is only permitted in areas where daytime anchoring is also allowed.

How can you identify areas where anchoring is prohibited?

The French maritime prefect has designated several no-anchoring zones (ZIM) around Marseille, including in the calanques of Sormiou and Morgiou, at Marseilleveyre, and around Riou and the Frioul Islands. Motorboats are also prohibited in certain areas near beaches.

These restrictions appear on official charts and are marked at sea by different types of buoys:

• Yellow buoys mark, among other things, the 300-metre coastal zone and areas where navigation or anchoring is prohibited. In several calanques, they mark the shoreward boundary of the Posidonia seagrass meadow: anchoring is prohibited beyond this boundary towards the open sea.
• White buoys indicate environmentally friendly moorings. Those in Port-Miou, for example, are reserved for visiting boaters.

Some boundaries are not marked at sea. In these cases, you must refer to the GPS coordinates published in the relevant maritime orders. Mooring to navigation marker buoys is strictly prohibited.

Where can you find the map of maritime regulations?

Before every trip, consult the Calanques National Park’s interactive map of buoy markers and maritime regulations, available on calanques-parcnational.fr under “Réglementations en mer”.

The “Mes Calanques” app provides additional information. You should also check the orders issued by the Mediterranean maritime prefecture: the regulations in force on the day of your trip are the ones that apply.

Mooring buoys: an alternative to anchoring

In areas where anchoring on sand is not possible, the Park and the City of Marseille have installed environmentally friendly mooring buoys to prevent Posidonia leaves from being torn out. The principle is simple: secure your boat directly to the buoy without dropping anchor.

Anchoring in the Calanques during your yacht charter

Chartering a sailing yacht allows you to discover the Calanques from the sea, provided you comply with the anchoring regulations in force. However, the conditions differ depending on whether you sail with or without a skipper.

Chartering a yacht with a skipper

Commercial passenger transport – providing a vessel and its crew for a fee – requires specific authorisation within the core area of the Calanques National Park. This activity is restricted to vessels included on a list drawn up by the director of the National Park authority. Not all boats available for skippered charter are included on this list.

Anchoring in the Calanques is therefore not permitted as part of a skippered yacht charter. For more information about the conditions that apply to your sailing holiday, please contact your GlobeSailor advisor.

Chartering a yacht without a skipper

For a bareboat charter, this specific authorisation for commercial passenger transport does not apply. However, you must still comply with all navigation and anchoring regulations in force within the Calanques National Park.

Official source and reference: Calanques National Park, “Réglementations en mer”