At the kiosk by the harbor, you can buy tickets for a tour of either three, seven, or ten calanques. I chose the seven-calanque tour, which takes about an hour and a half, and paid up. Your ticket will tell you which dock to stand at. It’s a good idea to be waiting on your feet by the appropriately numbered sign well ahead of the appointed time, as seating on the boats is first-come, first-served, and all seats are definitely NOT created equal. The right side is much better than the left, as that is the side facing the coast on the way out, when the boat is entering the calanques. On the way back, the boat pretty much speeds along a way out from shore, and you don’t get the same great view. If you’re planning to take pictures, it’s to your advantage to find a seat on the outside of the bow, at least if it’s not too windy and the sea is calm (no spray), or alternatively where you will not be looking through a window.

I also suggest wearing sunscreen and/or a hat, as it is often very bright out on the water. Consider bringing a windbreaker if it’s breezy or cloudy, as the temperature may be a little cooler out on the water.

The commentary on the tour was entirely in French, which I don’t speak, so I didn’t get the benefit of whatever information was being presented. On the other hand, short of not getting the geological skinny on the formation of the cliffs and inlets, I’m not sure I cared. The views were tremendous (see photos!). The coastline consists of high white cliffs studded with trees. You can occasionally see hikers on the top of the cliffs, and where the cliffs are much lower, there are often sunbathers, especially closer to town. The actual "calanques" you paid to see are inlets in the cliffs. Some of these are quite striking. One of them is lined by rocky spires, with a "castle" nestled in the middle. Another has a slit just a few feet wide – wide enough to swim through, but far too narrow for a boat. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.