Turtle Island. That is the local nickname for Tiboulen de Maïre. It is due to its unique shape.
Welcome to Traverse Tiboulen in Marseille. We are not directly at the island, but this traverse will guide you to the best spots to view it. Tiboulen de Maïre is a small uninhabited French island. It is located south of Marseille. The island is a neighbor to Île Maïre in the Riou archipelago.
Île Tiboulen is small. It is only about 100 meters long. The island rises to about 49 meters high. At an altitude of 58 meters, there is a flashing white light. This light provides maritime signalling.
Île Tiboulen de Maïre is also known as La Tortue. This translates to “The Turtle”. The name perfectly describes its shape.
Maïre Island is larger. It stands 142 meters high. It is situated at the very south of the Bay of Marseille. Tiboulen de Maïre Island is located right next to it.
The area around Maïre and Tiboulen experiences a slight climate variation. This is due to the wind and currents. The sea might be choppy in Marseille’s bay. Yet it could be very calm in the Calanques or vice versa.
Due to its strategic position, you will find many buildings here. Blockhouses are in front of the small lighthouses. They even reach the top of the island.
It is forbidden to walk on Tiboulen Island. However, the sea around it offers beautiful scuba diving spots. Divers can explore wrecks and coral caves. There are also beautiful underwater drops.
Tiboulen Island has a connection to a famous novel. It is linked to Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo.” The hero, Edmond Dantès, escapes from Château d’If. He swims to freedom. Dantès swims to the islands of Tiboulen and Maïre. He does this after escaping from a body bag.
Today, hundreds of swimmers participate in a race. This race goes from the island fortress to the shore. It is a different course from Dantès’ escape in the book.
Jacques Tuset, known as the King of Prison Island Swimming, achieved a feat here. He completed Le Défi Edmond Dantès. This was a 7.7 km night swim. It went between the Château d’If and Île Tiboulen. The water was 13.2°C. He finished in 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 43 seconds. He was 58 years old.
Tuset started from Château d’If at 8:47 pm. He arrived at Tiboulen Island at 11:15 p.m. This swim honors the fictional escape of Edmond Dantès.
To reach Traverse Tiboulen, public transit is readily available. Several bus lines serve the area. These include lines 19 and 45. The nearest bus stop is Lycée Marseilleveyre. It is only a 1-minute walk away. The Sainte-Marguerite Dromel metro station is also close. It is about a 3-minute walk.
Whether you are a diver, a swimmer, or a literary enthusiast, Tiboulen Island holds a special allure. Its unique shape and intriguing history make it a memorable landmark in Marseille. As we conclude our tour here at Traverse Tiboulen, take one last look at the Turtle Island. Remember its stories and its beauty.