Calanque de Sormiou

Narrowed to the east by the Crête de Morgiou and to the west by Cap de Sormiou, the Calanque de Sormiou is part of the Parc National des Calanques.

As in almost all the bays in the park, there are regulations here, too, that lay down certain rules for mooring: giving anchorage is only allowed at a distance of at least 300 meters from the shore.

The bay is well sheltered from westerly and northerly winds, but in the case of mistral, southerly and easterly winds, the particular narrow and elongated shape of the bay amplifies the effects.

The calanque is the largest in the entire National Park and is one of the few to be inhabited. It is bordered by the Calanque de Morgiou and is surrounded by high white cliffs, which create a magnificent contrast with the scattered patches of vegetation, light-colored buildings, and the blue sea.
At the western end of the calanque is a tiny port, with a jetty intended for small fishing boats and a storage area where boats can be pulled out to dry.
Next to the small port are a series of small sandy beaches.

The main beach of the bay is also sandy and is located in the deepest and most central part of the gully.
In summer, a perimeter formed by buoys demarcates an area adjacent to the shore reserved exclusively for bathers.
From June to September the beach is guarded and offers a first aid station.
For those arriving from the mainland during the summer period, it is possible to arrive by car near the bay and park in an organized parking area (for a fee).
Fairly easy access makes it a popular destination in high season.

This bay is also an ideal destination for divers, with its magnificent seabed rich in natural beauty and a scuba diving center a short distance away.

Sormiou is one of the starting points for taking a tour of the surrounding creeks by kayak.
The bay also hosts a restaurant and another can be found a short distance from the beach.

Those in the mood for a walk can venture out on the Cap Sormiou trails, which are not particularly easy for walking but can offer a unique view of the gully and the sea.
The trails that run along the crête de Morgiou are a bit more comfortable and skirt the area of the jetty and adjacent sheds. As you leave the bay area and head to the left, you can find an important prehistoric evidence, the Cosquer Cave.

The Calanque d’en Vau is a very attractive destination for those seeking tranquility and incredible natural beauty without straying too far from a big city like Marseille.