Canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, coastal lanyards in the Var

Gentle water sports activities

Ideal for enjoying the Var countryside, the sun and your tribe

Walking in the water, paddling or swimming with a mask, flippers and snorkel... all physical activities that are accessible to everyone, with family or friends.

These leisure activities are also a great way to discover the marine environment, explore your surroundings and contemplate the landscapes of the Var from the sea:

On the sea by paddling: canoe, kayak and paddle,
under the sea by following an underwater trail, simply equipped with a mask, flippers and snorkel,
walking along beaches, with your body partially immersed in the water - aquatic walking, also known as longe-côte.

Make the most of these water sports activities in the Var!

Sea kayaking and canoeing

A range of water-based activities to help you enjoy the Var coastline in complete peace of mind..

Sea kayaking is becoming increasingly popular and can be enjoyed alone, in pairs, with friends or family.

It's easy to handle, gives you instant pleasure and can be enjoyed in the great outdoors. There are many ways to enjoy the activity, from short trips lasting from an hour to a day. There are some great walks along the Var coast, as well as on the Var lakes.

Enjoy discovering the landscapes of the Var in a sea kayak, a fun way to explore the coastline, particularly to reach the most beautiful beaches of the Var, those isolated and accessible only by sea.

Canoeing is more popular on the rivers and lakes of the Var, such as the Verdon and Argens rivers. It's a great way to cool off on a summer weekend in the Var!

©Var Tourisme / Nico Gomez

Le paddle

The water sports activity for walking, sliding or surfing on the water

Paddleboarding or stand-up paddling has been very popular in recent years. One of the reasons for this is that it's quick and easy to learn.

Whether gentle or sporty, this leisure activity sets the whole body in motion and provides an overall body gain. Standing on a large surfboard, you move around using a long paddle. For beginners, the kneeling version works really well! The paddle gives you the pleasant sensation of walking on water, while moving through the sublime landscapes of the Var's beautiful beaches.

With this simple craft, you can plan an hour-long stroll, a surf-style activity in the waves, or organise half-day or full-day excursions with family or friends over varying distances.

Did you know? The ancestor of the paddle is the gondola! This activity was practised by Polynesian kings to explore and trade in the lagoons.

©E Bertrand

Coastal lunging

A water-based activity that lets you keep fit just by walking in the water..

To practise this activity, all you need to do is identify beaches with gently sloping seabeds, without any "shore breack" or rollers, that allow you to walk in the water along the coastline over long distances.

This discipline was born in 2005 on the beaches of northern France. It's a new form of walking, called aquatic walking, and it's being widely emulated.

The idea is to walk in the sea in waist-deep water. Precise technical movements provide structure and are ideal for physical maintenance.

Depending on the pace you choose, this activity can go from being a simple leisure activity to a real sport. But it will always be gentle on your body!

Many of the Var's beaches are ideal for this type of activity. A number of walking clubs have specialised in offering water-based walks in the Var all year round.

In 2021, Hyères will host the French Longe-Côte championships, proof, if any were needed, that the Var is a top destination for longe-côte!

Discovering the Almanarre roadstead:

2 routes to discover this magnificent harbour!

Plage Peno Carqueiranne / start of Plage de l'Almanarre

This aquatic tour can be done in a kayak, canoe or paddle. For safety reasons, it is advisable to take several people with you.

It's best to organise this trip when the wind is light. The Almanarre bay is subject to east and west winds. On a windy day, you'll have to deal with one of these two winds on the way out or the way back.

You leave from the Peno beach located to the west of the port of Carqueiranne, the Port des Salettes. There is a car park next door. Boats can be hired from the Carqueiranne municipal water sports centre, located at the end of Plage Peno. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to book in advance.

After carefully navigating past the port of Carqueiranne, you'll discover a number of points of interest along the way:

Beau Rivage and Font Brun, with their splendid mansions and parks planted with Mediterranean trees.
Cabro: a string of small fishermen's cottages, in the warm colours of the South, clinging to the steep coastline, transport you back in time: the sound of the waves, the chop, the Mediterranean forest, the sun - nothing has changed since the fishermen sailed these waters.
San Salvadour: look up and you'll see the San Salvadour hospital. The San Salvadour estate, built in 1872, was originally intended to house a prince of Napoleon's family and was owned by the journalist and mayor of Hyères Edmond Magnier.
Arrive at the start of the Almanarre beach, one of the world's best-known windsurfing and kitesurfing spots.

This is your halfway stop, with restaurants and snack bars to keep you fed. Put your boats down and take a dip. Take a break in the sun or shade for an hour or so and head back to Peno beach, or continue on the^2nd section.

Our suggestions

Carqueiranne

Nautical Base of Carqueiranne

The route starts at Plage de l'Almanarre and ends at Port de la Madrague.

This aquatic tour can be done by kayak, canoe or paddle. For safety reasons, it is advisable to take several people with you.

It's best to organise this trip when the wind is light. The Almanarre bay is subject to east and west winds. On a windy day, you'll be faced with one of these two winds on the way out or the way back.

You can park in the car park next to the Olbia archaeological site.

You can also take this route in the opposite direction, from the Port de la Madrague to the Plage de l'Almanarre.

To leave from the Port de la Madrague, you can either park in the car park along the road or in the car park above the La Bouillabaisse restaurant.

Either way, if you want to travel light, you can hire the equipment you need from the local service providers: funboard centre, La Petite Flottille...

Almanarre beach: you'll be sailing in one of the world's best-known windsurfing and kitesurfing spots. For 15 years, this magnificent harbour has been the venue for the Funboard World Cup. Today, the weather conditions are just as good as ever, making this the place to be for windsurfers and kitesurfers from the Var and the south of France. When sailing, we advise you to keep away from the coastline to avoid other water sports enthusiasts (swimmers, windsurfers, kitesurfers).

This beach has the unique geological feature of being formed by a double tombolo: two arms of land linking an island to the mainland. In the middle is a wetland area, the Hyères salt marshes, crossed by the Route du Sel, a protected natural area where a wide variety of birds nest and breed. From September to April, you can organise a short walk along this famous route, which is closed to motorised vehicles and runs alongside the Almanarre beach.

Plage de la Madrague: Plage de la Madrague is a continuation of Plage de l'Almanarre. Here you're in the heart of the kitesurfers' territory, sailing even in light winds. It's a veritable ballet of multicoloured sails that undulate to the rhythm of these passionate sailors. Take care, as there are reserved sailing areas.
Port de la Madrague: After sailing along a stretch of coastline dotted with tiny houses, each more beautiful than the last, you'll arrive at the little port of La Madrague. The place is typical and authentic. Near the port, you'll find restaurants offering simple, good menus. You can also relax on a small beach next to the port and eat your sandwich!

It's possible to do both these routes in one go- that's the challenge!

There's also a diving centre in the port of La Madrague, offering trips to discover the beautiful dives of the Presqu'île de Giens, to be discovered on another day of nature sports in the Var.