Feel like taking to the open seas for an afternoon? Find out all you need to know about boat rental in Narbonne!
Located in the heart of the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée regional nature park, Narbonne is an ideal destination for a vacation by the sea. An ancient Roman city, rich in heritage and culture, it’s close to everything. You’ll enjoy the nearby vineyards, the beautiful mountains and, above all, the Mediterranean.
Would you like to set sail for a day or an afternoon? With or without a boating license, experienced pilot or beginner, we can help you choose your boat rental in Narbonne. Where, when and at what price, follow our guide to find the boat that’s right for you.
Ideas for boat trips from Narbonne
Photo credit: Shutterstock – JaySi
Depending on your boat, you can opt for two completely different locations for your boat discoveries: the Mediterranean Sea or the Canal du Midi.
Would you like to rent a boat in Narbonne to discover the region’s most beautiful spots? Here are some ideas for itineraries and sea trips:
On the Mediterranean coast
From Narbonne, you can follow the coast northwards. You can then reach beautiful Agde, the black pearl of the Mediterranean. For a cruise to the south, we recommend Leucate. You’ll appreciate its long beaches and numerous tourist activities.
Planning to spend several days at sea? Then we recommend a cruise to Les Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer. On this cruise, you’ll sail along the coast, passing through Agde and Sète. You’ll also sail past Montpellier and Le Grau-du-Roi. There’s so much to admire and discover, from the wild beaches to the beautiful landscapes of the Camargue.
The Canal du Midi
Prefer to discover the inland and Narbonnaise regions? Then you can also rent a barge in Narbonne to cruise the Canal du Midi. In Narbonnaise, you can explore 3 different itineraries:
- The Canal du Midi and the famous « hameau du Somail », an authentic, picturesque and charming stopover;
- The Canal de Jonction, with its 11 locks, umbrella pines and Amphoralis, the ancient Gallo-Roman pottery village;
- The Canal de la Robine, divided between Narbonne, a city of art and history, and the landscape of the lagoons.
What type of boat to rent in Narbonne?
Photo credit: Wikimedia – Florian Pépellin
From the port of Narbonne-Plage, you can rent several different types of boats from professionals or private owners. Here, you can rent a motorboat or a sailboat, as well as a catamaran or a RIB. If you’d like to cruise the Canal du Midi, we recommend a barge or pénichette.
In the port of Narbonne, all sailing and motor yachts are now allowed inside. It is, of course, necessary to respect the rules of use.
How much does a boat rental in Narbonne cost?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – David Woods
If you want to rent a boat in Narbonne-Plage for the day, you have two options. You can choose a boat with a skipper, or you can take the helm yourself!
Boat rental with skipper on board
- With skipper, you can rent a motorboat from 320€ for 5 people;
- For a sailing boat, prices average €500 per day;
- To hire a catamaran for a day, you should generally expect to pay €900 for 14 people;
- A barge will cost you at least €500 per day;
- For a motor yacht, expect to pay between €900 for six people and over €10,000 for twelve people per day.
Hire without skipper on board
- Without a skipper, a motorboat or RIB will cost you around 300 euros for 4 to 6 people;
- For a sailing boat or catamaran, prices are around €500 per day for six to twelve people;
- For a houseboat, prices range from €150 to €500 for a minimum of three people up to twelve.
These prices are for dry hire. They therefore do not generally include fuel and ancillary equipment. You’ll find only the mandatory safety equipment on board, such as life jackets, ropes, buoys, fire extinguishers, etc.
How can I rent a boat in Narbonne?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Alex Tihonovs
To rent a boat in Narbonne, you can use the services of organizations present in the port or even private individuals. To make the process easier, we recommend the Samboat website. This platform specializes in boat rentals, and lists all the ads available from private individuals and professionals.
With Samboat, you can select the desired dates and duration: half a day, a full day, a few days or a week, for example.
The platform also lets you hire the services of a skipper. This option is ideal for those wishing to discover the pleasures of sailing, but lacking the appropriate license. It’s also a good choice for anyone wishing to enjoy an excursion at sea in complete peace of mind!
Last but not least, you can hire leisure equipment with certain boats: wakeboards, buoys or water-skiing, for example. Ask your service provider about these options.
Do I need a licence to sail in Narbonne?
If you want to rent a boat in Narbonne, you’ll generally need to have the appropriate license. If you don’t have one, you can always rent a boat without a license, or hire the services of a skipper.
Hiring a skippered boat in Narbonne will cost you more. However, a professional will accompany you. He or she will also be able to show you some of the region’s most beautiful spots. You can also learn the rudiments of navigation under his guidance. You’ll enjoy a superb experience, on a beautiful boat and in complete serenity.
Our tips for sailing in Narbonne
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Robert N Brown
Narbonne has 3 different ports. The seaside resort of Narbonne-plage has a 600-berth harbor. There’s a harbourmaster’s office and modern, functional sanitary facilities. During the summer season, berths can be allocated by the day or week, depending on availability. Please contact the harbor master’s office for details of availability and rates.
The second port is La Nautique. However, it has no berths in season. Next to Narbonne-plage, you can also visit the port of Gruissan. This harbor usually has plenty of berths for yachtsmen in season.
For a cruise on the Canal du Midi, you’ll need to go to the Port Fluvial. It’s located on the Canal de la Robine, a UNESCO World Heritage site. La Robine can accommodate yachtsmen all year round, with its 4 mooring berths.
When is the best time to sail in Narbonne?
You can sail the waters of the Mediterranean in peace and quiet from March to November. To get the most out of your holiday, we recommend avoiding the peak tourist season: July and August.
If possible, choose the period fromApril to June. That way, you’ll avoid the busiest season in terms of crowds and prices. The second half of September is also a good time to sail in Narbonne.