Calanque De Sormiou 

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

As in almost all the bays of the park, here also there is a regulation that has some rules for mooring: to give anchor is only allowed at a distance of at least 300 meters from the shore.

The bay is well protected by the winds from the west and from the north, but in the case of maestral, winds from the south and the east, the particular narrow and elongated shape of the bay, amplifies its effects.

The slope is the largest in the 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, creating a magnificent contrast with the scattered patches of vegetation, with light-colored buildings and the blue of the sea.

At the bottom of the slope, in the west, there is a tiny harbor with a small fishing pier to mooring fishing boats and a storage area where you can land the boats.

Next to the marina, there are a number of small sandy beaches.

The main beach of the bay is also sandy and is located in the deepest and central part of the slope.

In summer, a perimeter formed by buoys delimits an area adjacent to the shore, which is reserved only and exclusively to the bathers.

From June to September, the beach is guarded and offers a first aid coverage. 

For those arriving from the mainland in the summer, it is possible to arrive by car near the bay and park in an organized park (paid).

The fairly easy access makes it a very busy destination in peak season.

This bay is also the ideal destination for diving, with its magnificent seaside rich in natural beauty and a diving center within easy reach.

Sormiou is one of the starting points to take a ride around the surrounding calanques in kayak.

The bay also houses a restaurant and you can find another one not far from the beach.

Those who want to take a stroll, can venture on the footpaths of Cap Sormiou, not particularly easy to walk but it can offer a unique glimpse into the calanca and the sea.

The trails running along the crête de Morgiou are a bit more comfortable and bordering the area of the valley and adjacent sheds. Coming from the bay area and heading to the left, you can find an important prehistoric testimony, the Cosquer Grotto.

The Calanque d'en Vau is a very interesting destination for those who seek tranquility and incredible natural beauty, without getting away from a large city like Marseilles.