An exceptional underwater wealth
A few kilometers from Marseille, the Côte Bleue is a magnificent escape to the sea, in an exceptional landscape of rocky inlets, coves and beaches at the foot of the railway line known as "la Côte Bleue" between L'Estaque and Miramas. Holidays at the sea are an opportunity to discover exceptional seabeds. And the Côte Bleue has the advantage of a magnificent marine park, accessible to all, alone or accompanied. Indeed, since 1983, a marine park stretches in front of the 28 kilometers of the Côte Bleue from Anse des Laurons in the west, to the cape of Corbières in the east. The Côte Bleue Marine Park manages two fully protected marine reserves: in Carry-le-Rouet and Cap-Couronne. Awareness and information activities are organised throughout the year: guided tours, hosting sea classes, fun workshops around marine life, ‘Eco gestures’ campaign for boaters, exhibitions and conferences.
The Côte Bleue Marine Park
The joint union "Marine Park of the Côte Bleue" was created on July 10, 2000 to continue and give a new dynamic to the action initiated since 1983 by the association "Marine Regional Park of the Côte Bleue". The PMCB aims to preserve the coastal seabed, enhance this environment and support economic activities at sea, fishing in the first place. It also aims to raise public awareness of the marine environment and to pursue innovative experiments and research programs. Access to the marine reserve is open to all and you can discover the fauna and flora of the small coastal waters of the Mediterranean, simply equipped with fins, a mask and a snorkel.
Take advantage to be led to admire the seabed in the best conditions
Every summer during July and August, the Côte Bleue Marine Park organizes and supervises guided tours in the Carry-le-Rouet Marine Reserve. This activity aims to explore, with mask and snorkel, the richness of the seabed and to raise awareness among visitors to the Côte Bleue about the role and importance of the protected area. Three possible appointments each week:
• Tuesday mornings are reserved for children’s activity centers, leisure centers or other.
• Thursday and Saturday mornings are dedicated to the general public.
The Marine Park has put in place a pecific health protocol due to the Covid-19 pandemic, to maintain the activity in suitable reception conditions, while respecting the recommendations of the Ministry of Sports:
• Two departures are scheduled per morning at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The tour lasts about 1 hour.
• The health protocol must be read before the activity.
• The voucher/certification of the health self-question must be signed and brought on the morning of the activity.
Be sure to bring your personal equipment (mask and snorkel), although the suits can be loaned on site. Also consider taking water shoes.
This activity is free and accessible to all from 8 years old. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult in the water, and parental permission is required for children aged 12 to 18.
Reservations are essential with the Carry-le-Rouet Tourist Office by phone on 0033 4 42 13 20 36 and we advise you to do so in advance.
You will find all this information as well as the access plan on the information brochure or on the website www.parcmarincotebleue.fr.