Visiting the Camargue, in the South of France? Here’s all the information you need to rent a boat in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the capital of the Camargue region at the crossroads of the Rhône and the Mediterranean, has always been a land of hospitality and tradition. Discover this wilderness in a different way: offshore, with a boat rental in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Between the sea and the canals, there’s no shortage of boating opportunities to suit every taste.
How to do it, at what price, and which itineraries to choose, Generation Voyage helps you choose your boat rental in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
What type of boat can I rent in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer?
Photo credit: Flickr – Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Boat rentals in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer are few and far between, but they’re there nonetheless. You can rent :
- Boats without a license,
- Medium-sized boats: helmsman or hull type,
- But also barges for river navigation.
How much does it cost to rent a boat in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer?
The price range for a boat rental in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is relatively uniform. For a boat without a license, you’ll pay between €60 and €150 per day in summer, and between €100 and €250 for a motorboat with a capacity of 6 to 8 people.
Pleasure barges, on the other hand, are rented exclusively by the week, from €2,000.
Good to know: in most cases, the price of fuel is not included in the rental price. So you’ll need to fill up on the outward or return journey, depending on the terms and conditions specified by your rental company.
Rent a boat to explore Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
How do I rent a boat in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer?
Photo credit: Flickr – Boost Kiteboarding
Renting a boat in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer couldn’t be easier. Use the websites dedicated to this activity, such as Samboat. In just a few clicks, book your boat rental in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer with an available private individual or professional. You’ll find numerous search options: date, location, skipper on board, additional equipment, etc. at unbeatable rates. Create your customized rental.
Among these options, sea leisure equipment allows you to enjoy the pleasures of the sea to the full. For just a few dozen euros, complete your boat rental in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer with fishing equipment, a wakeboard, towed buoys or a paddle, for example. The latter is very popular in the seaside resort, thanks to the ideal weather conditions.
Do I need a permit to sail at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer?
Because of its location, it is preferable to have a boating license to sail at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
If you don’t have one, you can either rent a boat without a license, and your service provider will give you a temporary boating card, or rent your boat with a skipper. The skipper will pilot the boat for you, so you can enjoy your outing with complete peace of mind.
Our boating tips for Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Photo credit: Flickr – Axel Brocke
Port Gardian is a human-sized harbor, so navigation is relatively pleasant. On the other hand, this also means that the 84 moorings for visiting yachtsmen can quickly become overcrowded during the summer months, making maneuvering difficult at times.
If you’re planning to call at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer during the summer months, don’t forget to check if a berth is available. The harbor master’s office can be reached on VHF channel 9.
The port is accessible with medium north and west winds, up to force 6. Beyond that, and in south-easterly winds, access is difficult or even inadvisable. So be sure to check the weather conditions before, during and after your trip.
Finally, for yachtsmen sailing eastwards, it’s important to know that the next port after Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is Port Saint-Louis du Rhône, some 30 miles away. Boats not equipped for such autonomy will find no shelter in between.
Rent a boat to explore Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
When is the best time to sail at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer?
Spring is the most pleasant season to sail and rent a boat in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. The weather is favorable, and boaters are still few and far between.
Ideas for boat trips from Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Photo credit: Flickr – jean-louis Zimmermann
Water is everywhere at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, giving you the opportunity to discover the Camargue through three itinerary ideas, from a few hours to a few days.
Cruise on the Petit Rhône
Immerse yourself in the heart of the Camargue with this itinerary lasting around 1h30. From Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, sail up the Petit Rhône to the Bac du Sauvage and enjoy the exceptional setting of the Camargue Regional Park.
Along the way, you’ll come across the wild flora and fauna typical of the region. From one bank to the other, manades, horses, grey herons and pink flamingos accompany you on this leisurely stroll. Return by the same route, turning back at the Bac du Sauvage.
Good to know: the current can be strong on this part of the Petit Rhône.
The Camargue coast
Discover the emblematic towns of the Camargue in a different way. From Port Gardian, set sail towards Grau-du-Roi and follow the 10 km of fine sand of the Espiguette beach and its lighthouse, before discovering the marinas of Port Camargue and the trawlers accompanied by gulls returning to port.
Take advantage of the silence of the sea to admire the unique architecture of La Grande-Motte before heading home. Then return to Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, guided by its emblematic church.
Between sea and canals
The geographical location of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer allows you to sail not only on the Mediterranean, but also along canals such as the Canal du Rhône à Sète. Take the latter in the direction of Saint-Gilles, thenAigues-Mortes, and stop off to visit its salt works and fortified town.
Take the canal back towards Le Grau-du-Roi to reach the sea. From here, you can continue your journey to the various ports on the Languedoc coast, or return to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer via the open sea, and take advantage of the calm to admire the landscapes and architecture of the Camargue coast.
Rent a boat to explore Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
With all this information, you’ll know everything there is to know about yacht charter in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Now you can book…and set sail!