The Port-Cros island is located offshore along the French Mediterranean coast, less than 5 nautical miles south of Cap Bénat. Port-Cros Island is part of the « Golden islands » together with the Porquerolles island to the west and Levant island to the east.

The Port-Cros island is part of the Port-Cros National Park, the first marine national park created in Europe, covering 3,200 acres of marine area. The Port-Cros National Park also includes 1,700 acres of land area with the islets of Bagaud, Rascas, and La Gabinière.

Port-Cros island welcomes visitors with its small sheltered harbor nestled at the end of a wide bay. The harbor is the heart of island life and serves as the starting point for many hiking trails. Near the landing stage, the « Maison du Parc » is the place to go to gather all the useful information you may need !

Staying overnight on the island is possible thanks to a limited number of accommodations, so it is best to book in advance and check before traveling, as you cannot pitch a tent, wild camping and bivouacking are strictly prohibited ! During your stopover on the island, restaurants (open only during the season) welcome visitors for meals !

The harbor is the main starting point for exploring the island on foot. Indeed, many hiking trails — sometimes steep or rugged and overlooking the sea — will take you on a journey to discover the island ! Rich in preserved natural heritage, Mediterranean flora accompanies you throughout your hikes to the island's ruins and secluded beaches on Port-Cros island.

More or less far from the village, and therefore more or less crowded, the beaches offer a welcome stop to enjoy the benefits of the sea. South Beach, with its white sand, is the most accessible, La Palud Beach is a small shaded beach lined with tamarisk trees and featuring an underwater discovery trail. Finally, Port-Man Beach is a gravel beach and the largest on the island, located at the end of a bay that is very popular with boaters.

The island features many remains once intended to defend it against maritime attacks, but only Fort de l'Estissac is open to the public during the summer season. Built under Cardinal Richelieu in 1635, the fort offers a splendid panoramic view of the coastline and surrounding areas from the top of its fortifications: a full 360° view!

Other forts complete the list of fortifications on Port-Cros island, including Fort du Moulin, the closest one, Fort de l'Eminence, and finally Fort de Port-Man, the most distant, which stands out for its partially underground architecture.

Above all, the island is a protected natural area where it is a pleasure to walk and enjoy nature. Hiking trails lead you to discover the island; sometimes steep and running along the coast, they offer views overlooking the sea and provide incredible panoramas !

Port-Cros island is also a popular destination for many diving clubs along the coast, who come for a single dive or a full day, often including a break on the island for lunch !

Port-Cros island is home to a rich natural heritage both on land and underwater. The La Gabinière dive site is a well-known meeting point with the famous groupers and schools of barracudas. This dive site is protected and strictly regulated.

You can reach Port-Cros island from many coastal ports, depending on the season, such as Hyères, Le Lavandou, La Londe-les-Maures, Toulon, Sainte-Maxime, Saint-Raphaël, the Giens Peninsula, or even the nearby island of Porquerolles.