To visit the Hyères islands, you stay on the mainland, near the departure harbour for your island. For Port-Cros and Le Levant: Hyères harbour (Port Saint-Pierre) or Le Lavandou, which has the shortest crossing. For Porquerolles: the Giens peninsula, near La Tour Fondue. Camping and wild camping are banned in the national park. Hyères centre suits those who want to do several islands and enjoy the town.
Key facts
- Port-Cros and Le Levant: Hyères harbour or Le Lavandou (30-minute crossing).
- Porquerolles: the Giens peninsula, next to La Tour Fondue (15-minute crossing).
- Hyères centre: 6 to 13 minutes from both departure harbours.
- Camping and wild camping banned in the national park.
The right area for your island
| Area | For | Useful distances |
|---|---|---|
| Hyères, Port Saint-Pierre | Port-Cros, Le Levant | airport 7 min, La Tour Fondue 10 min |
| Giens peninsula | Porquerolles | La Tour Fondue on the spot |
| Le Lavandou | Port-Cros (30 min), Le Levant | airport 31 min |
| Hyères centre | several islands, the town | station nearby, harbour 6 min, La Tour Fondue 13 min |
Driving times: OSRM on OpenStreetMap.
Port-Cros and Le Levant
Le Lavandou has the shortest crossing and year-round departures: see Le Lavandou. Hyères harbour is handy if you fly in: see getting to Hyères.
Porquerolles
The Giens peninsula puts La Tour Fondue a few minutes away: see the Giens peninsula.
On the islands
Camping and wild camping are banned in the national park. For a first visit, one island a day from the mainland is the simplest: see Port-Cros and Porquerolles.
Book a trip
Things to do from your base
Hyères: Morning Discovery or Relaxing Afternoon cruise3 - 4 hours★ 4.7 (225 reviews)from €70Check availability
Hyères to Giens Peninsula: Sunset at Sea Cruise2 hours★ 4.9 (171 reviews)from €69Check availability
Boat trip around Porquerolles and Giens3 - 6 hours★ 4.6 (34 reviews)from €82Check availability
"From" prices checked on 9 November 2026 and may have changed.
Affiliate links: Port-Cros.com earns a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. "Show live prices" loads the GetYourGuide module, which sets its own cookies (learn more (in French)).
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay to visit Port-Cros?
In Le Lavandou for the shortest crossing (30 minutes) and year-round departures, or near Hyères harbour if you arrive at Toulon-Hyères airport, 7 minutes away.
Where should I stay to visit Porquerolles?
On the Giens peninsula, near La Tour Fondue harbour, where the crossing takes 15 minutes.
Sources
Information checked against the sources below. Ferry times and prices change: confirm before you go.
- Port-Cros National Park, practical information: crossings (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Port-Cros National Park, regulations: camping banned (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- OSRM on OpenStreetMap, driving times, accessed 9 November 2026
