Every summer, arriving in Cavalaire-sur-Mer is a precious moment. Its famous avenue of oleanders welcomes you to one of the most unspoilt seaside resorts on the Côte d'Azur. The ideal destination for contemplating Mediterranean flora and fauna. The town has also been awarded the three-star France Nautique label, and in 2022 launched a far-reaching procedure to ensure that private beaches are more respectful of the environment and the coastline.
The beaches of the Bay of Cavalaire are exceptional, each offering its own treasures. What do they have in common? Just swim a few meters and turn around to admire the pastel-colored houses and majestic Maures hills. A true paradise where you feel cut off from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and the stress of everyday life.
Are you coming to Cavalaire-sur-Mer for the first time, or would you like to return? Here's a complete guide to making the most of the fine sandy beaches and ensuring you don't get lost during your stay.
Don't miss Cavalaire's beaches
Downtown Beach
The ideal place to take part in the many water sports activities on offer in Cavalaire. Swimming is supervised, as on all the beaches in the bay, and the shoreline is overlooked by a pleasantly landscaped walkway. Thanks to its proximity to the modern port of Héracléa, Cavalaire has a lively atmosphere.
If you're a thrill-seeker, the various water sports on offer are sure to satisfy. Try parasailing, towed buoys or even flyboarding.
In the evening, locals and holidaymakers rub shoulders on the cool sand to share a moment of conviviality.
This beach is the most accessible from the town center, and is equipped with lockers and padlocks to keep your belongings safe, so you can enjoy a quiet moment by the sea. Nearby parking lots allow you to drive to the beach without having to carry your towels and children's toys in the heat. If you want to cool off after soaking up the sun, just walk a few minutes to buy some delicious ice cream at Blue Marine. With a wide choice of flavors, it's impossible to get bored.
The Plage du Parc
Let's get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and set up our parasols on the Parc beach. Here, it's all about relaxation, reading and sport! The morning sports sessions include yoga, where you'll be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves, aqua aerobics and crossing the beach from the water. The enthusiastic instructor chants motivating cheers and puts a smile on every holidaymaker's face.
Cavalaire's media library and its "Books on the beach" initiative will give you the opportunity to borrow novels or comics free of charge from a space at the beach entrance, so you can enjoy yourself while you sunbathe.
Offshore, you can dive or sunbathe from various floating platforms. It's also an opportunity to admire the exceptional landscape in all its detail: the port, the beach, the hills, the horizon and Cape Lardier. If you have a boat, you can use one of the boat lanes to get away from the coast and enjoy the panorama.
The most private beaches in Cavalaire-sur-Mer also start at Plage du Parc. Since 2022, in the interests of coastal preservation and harmonization, all private signs have been redesigned. They are now built from natural materials such as wood, offer unobstructed, unobstructed views of the sea, and feature soft bluish, beige and vegetal hues... Beachgoers blend into the sand and southern flora.
All are now accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that in 2022, few private beaches offered evening catering services, due to the lack of seasonal workers. But, of course, it's always possible to enjoy a delicious takeaway pizza on the beach, with friends or family.
The Plage des Dauphins
Let's walk on towards La Croix-Valmer to discover the Dauphins beach, where nature is king. The many umbrella pines will keep you cool after your swim. Water-based activities are available to enhance your stay and enjoy the bay from another angle: paddle, kayak or sail.
If you're picnicking on the sand in the evening, it's a good idea to bring a small lantern or other light source so you don't eat your dessert in the dark. Because the further the beaches are from the town center, the less access you'll have to street lighting. But it's at times like these that you appreciate Cavalaire's calm, authenticity and protected nature.
La Plage du Pardigon
This is the most isolated beach from the city center, and therefore the wildest. It's much larger than the others and enjoys a soothing atmosphere. Here you can admire Cap Lardier, bask in the sun and even take a nap on the warm sand.
You're not far from La Croix-Valmer, with its own beaches and water sports activities. If you've got the energy (and good shoes), you can venture along the coastal path that leads to pretty coves such as Plage de Glaïeuls and Plage de la Bouillabaisse.
It's a great way to get some exercise and take in the sights before dining in one of Cavalaire's many harbour-side restaurants...
The Plage de Bonporteau
This time, we're heading in the opposite direction, towards Le Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer. The Bonporteau beach and its famous natural setting are hidden at the end of a path accessible from the road.
This unspoilt marvel is even cleaned by hand to protect its biodiversity. A word of advice: don your flippers, mask and snorkel and explore the turquoise waters and mysteries of the calanques.
The Fenouillet path from Bonporteau beach is a must. Surrounded by trees, it offers unforgettable views of the entire coastline, Cap Lardier and the Maures massif. A walk with a change of scenery will take you to the Pointe du Dattier, where the Maison Foncin is enthroned, a dazzling, imposing white residence that can now be visited thanks to Cavalaire's tourist office. It belongs to the Conservatoire du Littoral.
If you set out on this hike in summer, choose the path that runs parallel to the one along the coast, as it is much more sheltered by vegetation and therefore reduces the risk of catching sunstroke. Don't forget your water bottle!
Your questions about Cavalaire's beaches
What's the best beach in Cavalaire?
It's hard to choose between all the beaches in the bay, each of which has its own advantages and splendors. But if we had to decide which beach is the most unique, it would have to be Bonporteau, Cavalaire's nugget.
Framed by two imposing rocky cliffs, this natural, almost wild beach gives you the impression of being alone in the world. Why not explore the depths on the Bonporteau underwater trail?
A nearby four-star campsite is open from March to October. This is your chance to dive into the clear waters of this magnificent beach, even out of season.
Where to swim with children in Cavalaire-sur-Mer?
Centre-ville beach is a great place for families. Children can forge fond memories by having fun at the Wouafou Club, a large facility on the sand that can be seen from afar, thanks to its enormous inflatable giraffe. There's a slide, trampolines and even duck fishing. The club also organizes swimming lessons in pools and rents out pedal boats. A child-minding service is also available in July and August.
If you walk to the Yacht Club, your little ones can choose from a range of water sports, accessible from the age of four.
All the shops are close by, as is the pretty carousel. In the evenings, children's entertainment and shows take place on the esplanade next to the beach. All the ingredients for a fun-filled day of activities, swimming and family laughter.
For your information, Cavalaire has introduced a local "Cavalaire en famille" label. Service providers have tailored their offers to meet the needs of young and old alike. The tourist office, for example, has designed specific routes along the beach to accommodate strollers, and a number of games and puzzles have been devised around the town.
What is the water temperature in Cavalaire?
You'll have no trouble getting into the water in summer, as swimming in Cavalaire is extremely pleasant. In July and August, it's even possible to reach 28°C! By morning, temperatures often exceed 21°C.
But beware of jellyfish, which can sometimes slip into the bay. An orange flag will warn you of the danger, which is usually only temporary.
If you're not afraid of the cold and feel like it, you can go swimming out of season, as the water temperature averages 20.2°C in June and October. On the other hand, very few people will dare to take the plunge in May and November, when temperatures can drop to 15°C...
Are there any naturist beaches in Cavalaire?
It will be difficult to find a naturist beach in Cavalaire itself, which remains above all a family destination. If you're a naturist, you'll need to move away from the heart of town.
A twenty-minute drive away, via Le Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, you can practice naturism in complete tranquillity on the Layet beach. The bathing area is unsupervised but very accessible, thanks to a parking lot just a hundred meters away.
You'll also find other possibilities as you pass Cap Lardier.
Half an hour's drive away, in Saint-Tropez, is the famous Pampelonne beach, some areas of which are available to naturists. The Creeque de la Douane, in Ramatuelle, also offers a serene swimming area.
What's the best private beach in Cavalaire?
Great care has been taken with the architecture and menu of each private beach. The two-storey-high Dauphin plage offers a privileged vantage point from which to admire the bay.
The Tamaris Beach, with its turquoise umbrellas, is located on the downtown beach, and is decorated in the style of a fisherman's shack, providing an attractive space for socializing.
Bellini Plage offers Italian cuisine, a real treat for the palate. Special mention goes to their pizzas, which you can even eat with your feet in the water!
In the evening, the torches at Terre de Sable are lit up and reflected in the sea.
But the most majestic private beach is undoubtedly Boho Beach. An authentic window on the sea, the beach owner has placed a magnificent olive tree in the center of his restaurant. The tree creates a remarkable, poetic atmosphere. A real painting. This private beach restaurant claims to have a "bohemian spirit" that shines through in every decorative element.
The tempting menu features barbecues with the catch of the day and other Mediterranean specialties. Concerts are scheduled from 4 p.m. to liven up your evenings. The owners call these festive moments the "after beach".
An ideal setting for an aperitif after a day full of discoveries and activities in Cavalaire-sur-Mer.
If you already know Cavalaire by heart and its beaches hold no secrets for you, there's a simple solution! Take a boat from the port of Héracléa to explore the three golden islands of Port-Cros, Porquerolles and Le Levant. There, other exceptional coves await you. You'll be amazed.