FAQ — Boat Prices and Rentals in the Gorges du Verdon

The Surf Center is located at Margaridon Beach, 83630 Les-Salles-sur-Verdon.

This is the beach in the village of Les-Salles-sur-Verdon. It is located halfway between the Sainte-Croix Dam and the entrance to the spectacular Verdon Gorges.

To get here by car, just type “Surf Center” into Google Maps, and the GPS will take care of the rest. See the address here.

To walk here from the village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon, take the pedestrian path downhill that leads to the lakefront. We’re on your left when you reach the lake.

Unfortunately, our beach does not have wheelchair-accessible facilities. However, our team will do everything possible to make access as easy and pleasant as possible for people with limited mobility. Please feel free to call us in advance to arrange your arrival.

The Surf Center has two free parking lots, each with about 100 spaces.

Public restrooms are available free of charge at the entrance to one of the parking lots.

The Surf Center is located next to the supervised swimming area in Les Salles-sur-Verdon. The fire department provides supervision from July 1 through August 31.

You can reserve the boat of your choice up until the day before your desired date.

To do so, go to the “Online Reservation” tab. All you have to do is choose the date and the boat, then complete the necessary steps.

On-site rentals are also available, subject to availability. We strongly recommend that you make your reservation online due to high tourist traffic.

Please note: We do not accept reservations by phone.

Chèques-Vacances and credit cards are accepted for boat rentals and at the snack bar. Checks are no longer accepted.

We do not require a security deposit. However, you will be asked to provide a valid form of identification and a phone number for any rental.

We use your phone number solely to contact you in case of a problem; it will not be used for commercial purposes under any circumstances.

Our entire fleet is available both in person and online. Please note: Due to the high volume of tourists during peak season, availability can sell out very quickly. For your peace of mind, we recommend booking directly online.

Everyone on board counts as one seat. Please note: If you’re bringing a lot of beach bags or accessories, you’ll need to take that into account when estimating the available space on the boat.

You may bring a dog on board boats, except for catamarans, paddleboards, and sailboards. However, for large dogs such as German Shepherds or Labradors, you must take their size into account and count them toward the total number of passengers.

By electric boat, it takes about 3 hours round-trip to reach the Verdon Gorge.

By canoe, the trip is much more challenging, but it can be done in half a day. However, for those with less experience, we recommend taking a full day to make the most of your trip.

If you’re using a pedal boat or stand-up paddleboard, we strongly advise against going all the way to the Verdon Gorges, as they’re much too far away.

Note that Lake Sainte-Croix is full of many other beautiful sights to discover.

Swimming in the Verdon Gorge is prohibited. Swimming is permitted in the lake.

In the middle of summer, the water temperature can range from 22 to 29 °C. At the mouth of the Grand Canyon, the water rarely reaches 20 °C.

Two zones have been designated.

One of these zones is located in front of the dam; it is marked by buoys that you must not cross (there are “whirlpools” before the line of buoys—avoid getting too close to them).

The other zone is at the end of the Grand Canyon. Buoys restrict access to boats, and you must not attempt to go any further because the water is too shallow!

As you are no doubt aware, Lake Sainte-Croix is an artificial lake created by EDF in 1973. The former village of Les Salles-sur-Verdon was submerged to make way for the lake. However, it was demolished before the lake was filled with water. Don’t expect to hear the bells of the old church ringing during your Sunday morning pedal boat ride!

A boat license is not required to rent an electric boat. However, at least one person over the age of 18 must be on board each boat. Therefore, a minor may operate a boat under the supervision of an adult.

All of our boats are equipped with a canopy to protect you from the sun. However, not all seats can be in the shade. If the wind is a bit strong, we cannot guarantee that the canopies will be in place.

These roofs provide protection from the sun only; they are not designed to withstand rain or wind.

Electric boats are not permitted to dock along the shores of Lake Sainte-Croix.

You may dock with any of our other boats.

Docking is strictly prohibited in the Grand Canyon starting from the Galetas Bridge, regardless of the type of boat you are using.

Anyone can learn to steer a boat—even children! However, it is essential that children be supervised by an adult.

For all rentals, Surf Center will provide a briefing on how to operate the boat.

For your baby’s comfort, our boats can accommodate a small, unfolded stroller in addition to passengers. Larger strollers, bicycles, or other bulky items can be left at the Surf Center reception desk (at the customer’s own risk).

Our boats are not equipped with ladders, so you cannot swim from them.

A map of Lake Sainte-Croix is displayed in all sightseeing boats. It includes a legend listing the sites to explore, along with the average time it takes to reach each one.

You cannot fish from our electric boats; they are not equipped for that.

If you’d like to go fishing, you can rent a pedal boat and go fishing from it.

A minor may operate a boat under the supervision of an adult. At least one person over the age of 18 must be on board every boat.

The boat ride is accessible to everyone, regardless of age. All boats can accommodate a baby carrier, a car seat, or a small stroller.

For very young children, we have life jackets designed for babies, but quantities are limited. If possible, we recommend that you bring a special baby life jacket for your child to ensure the best fit for their body type.

Even though the activities we offer are safe, never forget that you are on the water. Caution is always advised.

At the Surf Center, no one goes out on the water without a life jacket. Wearing a life jacket is mandatory for all water activities.

Life jackets that fit your children are provided at the reception desk.

In each boat, you’ll find a sign with the Surf Center’s phone number, so you can reach us at any time. However, there are some areas without cell service, particularly in the gorges.

Whether you’re renting a windsurf board, a foil, or a catamaran, no certification is required. We’ll make sure your skill level is adequate for the prevailing sailing conditions by asking you a few technical questions. This will allow us to match you with the right equipment so you can have a great time in complete safety.

For windsurfing, introductory sessions are available, provided there is light wind and within a restricted sailing area.

We reserve the right to refuse participation if we deem the conditions too dangerous.

At this time, we do not offer sailing or windsurfing lessons at the Surf Center. However, please know that we’d be happy to offer advice. If needed, we’ll take the time to refresh your memory on a few basics.

For safety reasons, you will be assigned a designated paddling area so that you remain within sight of the Surf Center staff at all times. This supervised area is large enough to allow you to enjoy a great time paddling on Lake Sainte-Croix.

Of course, beginner paddlers will be asked to stay in front of the Surf Center.

Thermal winds are the dominant winds on Lake Sainte-Croix. They occur almost daily between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and pick up toward the end of the day. Their average speed ranges from 12 to 18 knots.

The easterly wind is a low-pressure wind formed by rising maritime air. It is more humid, fairly strong, and more consistent. A Venturi effect occurs between Costebelle Island and the Surf Center, making it an ideal sailing area.

The mistral also blows on the lake. It is a strong, gusty wind that will delight even the most experienced windsurfers. Please note that catamaran sailing is not recommended in these conditions.

For safety reasons, we accept a maximum of 3 people per catamaran.

We offer sails starting at 2.5 m2, allowing children ages 7 to 9 to try windsurfing under the supervision of an adult. The child must be able to swim at least 25 m independently.

A children’s life jacket is provided with the windsurfing board.

In the spring and fall, the lake can be cool. To help you enjoy your time here even in these conditions, we rent wetsuits for €5 for the duration of your rental. However, we have a limited supply.

During the summer, the temperature of Lake Sainte-Croix ranges from 25 °C to 30 °C.

It is difficult to kitesurf on Lake Sainte-Croix. Since the beaches are lined with trees and the wind is quite gusty, launching and riding can be tricky.

We do not provide storage for your equipment.

Please note that we have a very wide range of windsurfing boards, ranging from 90 l to 185 l, and sails from 2.5 m to 8.5 m. This equipment is high-quality, and we replace it regularly.

The Surf Center is a water sports rental center as well as a snack bar, open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can come enjoy breakfast in the morning, a delicious salad with fresh juice and a homemade dessert for lunch, or a pizza in the evening. All this in an idyllic setting by the lake.

We offer packed lunches that you can order at the same time as your boat, directly online. It will be ready for your departure.

Docking inside the Verdon Gorge is strictly prohibited. Picnicking is therefore also prohibited there.

You’ll find many beaches at the exit of the gorges, though they’re often packed with tourists.

For the ideal picnic, we recommend the beautiful, deserted beaches on the opposite bank from the Surf Center—for us, it’s the perfect spot.

The small island of Costebelle, located just a few meters from the Surf Center and Margaridon Beach, is also a great option.