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The port of Argelès-sur-Mer, 4.5 kilometers from our campsite in Argelès-sur-Mer, offers a colorful outing! This port features more than 790 berths set on the Côte Vermeille, with palm-lined quays and colorful Catalan boats. A stroll among the boats, a fish meal facing the water, a sea trip or a stop at the harbor master’s office: the district has something to delight everyone for half a day.
Key points to remember
- The port can be explored in half a day, 4.5 km from our campsite.
- More than 800 berths make it one of the largest marinas on the Côte Vermeille.
- Diving, paddleboarding and glass-bottom boats set the pace for sea outings.
- Terraces serve up bullinada and Catalan cuisine facing the boats.
- The harbor master’s office welcomes boaters all year round, reachable on channel 9.
The port of Argelès-sur-Mer, a marina on the Côte Vermeille
The port of Argelès-sur-Mer is the newest of the major Catalan ports: it was created at the end of the 1980s, at the mouth of the Massane, at the foot of the Albères mountain range.
Protected by two jetties, it now boasts more than 800 berths and is among the largest Catalan marinas. Yet its maritime history goes back much further: since the 14th century, the Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Secours chapel has watched over sailors, and its bell tower served as a landmark for fishing boats returning to port.
As a result, the district has the feel of a fishing port: wooden hulls, drying nets and terraces facing the water. Residences, shops and restaurants sit side by side, right by the beach and a short distance from the town center. Enough to fill an entire day, between a stroll on the quays and a boat trip!
Walks and activities at the port of Argelès-sur-Mer
The port of Argelès-sur-Mer is just as suited to a stroll as it is to thrills: you can walk among the colorful boats, dive offshore and party as soon as the sunny days arrive. There’s plenty to fill a good part of the day, on the water as well as on the quays.
Water activities
On the water, the port of Argelès-sur-Mer brings together most of the nautical outings in the area. Three diving clubs are based there and lead the curious to the rocky seabed of the Côte Vermeille. Several options allow you to head out to sea:
- Dive with a club from the port to reach the rocky coast or the Cerbère-Banyuls marine reserve, France’s first natural marine reserve.
- Board a glass-bottom boat to observe the fish without getting wet.
- Paddle on a stand-up paddleboard on the Massane, the river that meets the sea at the foot of the port.
- Put on fins and a mask for a snorkeling session in crystal-clear water.
Entertainment on the quays
On the quays, the Catalan atmosphere can be experienced all year round and steps up a gear in summer. Night markets mix artisans, music and evening strolls, while the morning fish market keeps a living tradition alive. Every June, the Fête de la Saint-Pierre honors the patron saint of fishermen, with jousts and traditional boat races. A beautiful moment of local life, close to the residents.
Our favorite: come at sunset, when the masts light up and the boats turn orange. It’s the best time to have a drink on a terrace, just before the night markets get into full swing.
What to eat around Port-Argelès?
At the port of Argelès, you eat Catalan and seafood, seated facing the boats. Restaurants are clustered along the quays, notably Quai Christophe Colomb and Quai Vasco de Gama, where terraces are set up right by the water. On the menus, bullinada, this Roussillon fish soup, sits alongside Catalan salad, Collioure anchovies and fish grilled on the plancha. Fancy a sweet break? Ice cream parlors and cafes await you in the shade of the palm trees.
And to extend the evening beyond the pontoons, the center of Argelès-sur-Mer also brings together many tables, just a few minutes away!
Harbor master’s office and practical info for the port
The harbor master’s office at the port of Argelès-sur-Mer receives boaters all year round, with hours that change according to the season. Here is the useful info to prepare for your visit or stopover:
- Summer hours: the harbor master’s office opens from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with night surveillance and reduced hours out of season.
- Contact: call 04 68 81 63 27 or use VHF on channel 9.
- Capacity: the port has more than 800 berths and keeps about twenty spots for visiting boats.
- Services: toilets, showers and weather advice await boaters before departure.
Want to enjoy the port of Argelès-sur-Mer during your vacation, between strolls on the quays and afternoons at the beach? Book your stay at our Le Méditerranée campsite: a 5-star, pedestrianized and wooded estate, 1.5 km from the sea.
FAQ — Port Argelès-sur-Mer
Can the port be accessed all year round?
Yes, the port of Argelès-sur-Mer and its quays remain accessible all year round. The walk around the pontoons is free in all seasons. Only the harbor master’s office adapts its opening hours between summer and winter, with reduced hours during the quietest months.
What specialties should I eat at the port of Argelès?
At the port of Argelès, the specialties to taste remain rooted in Catalan tradition. Bullinada, a coastal fish soup, and Catalan salad are among the must-tries. The terraces also offer grilled fish, and ice cream parlors delight young and old at the end of the day.
How to contact the harbor master’s office?
To contact the harbor master’s office at the port of Argelès-sur-Mer, dial 04 68 81 63 27. Boaters can also call via VHF on channel 9. Contacting them before arrival makes it easier to welcome you and assign a spot for visiting boats.
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