Diving

DIVING FRANCE TOP DIVE SITES - MEDITERRANEAN COAST

TOP DIVE SITES – MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Batavia – the wreck of an Italian liner lies at a depth of 20 m. The ship sank in 1877 and it is not in a very good condition. However, it is a great wreck dive for beginners.
Location: Miet, Calseraigne Island
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Chaouen – the wreck of a 90 m long cargo carrier lies at a depth of 33 m. The ship sank probably because of a navigational error in 1970. The wreck is easy to penetrate. The dive is weather-dependent and it is recommended there when the sea is calm.
Location: Planier Island
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Donator (Prosper Schiaffino) – the wreck of a cargo ship lies at a depth of about 50 m. The ship sank in 1945 and the shipwreck is one of the most popular in the French Riviera. The spot is teeming with life and the wreck is covered with soft corals. This is a great and picturesque dive.
Location: port of Porquerolles
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: CMAS 3 stars, BSAC Advanced Diver


Espignole – the beautiful wreck of motor torpedo boat lies at a depth of only 38 m. The ship hit the rocks and sank in 1903. The wreck is in several parts but the engines and the rear part are still in good condition.
Location: Cavalaire Bay
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sandy
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Le Dalton – the wreck of 70 m long British cargo lies at a depth of 30 m. The ship sank in 1928. This wreck was already dived by Dumas and Cousteau. This is relatively easy and shallow dive.
Location: Planier Island
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Le Tombant des Americains – this area features actually two spots. The first is a very picturesque and deep wall dive (50–110 m) and is recommended for experienced trimix divers. The second one is also very interesting and much shallower (the maximum depth is 40 m). The spot is teeming with marine life. Divers should watch out for boat traffic.
Location: Nice
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rocky
Requirements: CMAS 3 stars, BSAC Advanced Diver


Liban – the wreck of gross passenger ship lies at a depth of 36 m. The steamer sank in 1903 after an collision with another boat. Almost 100 people died in the disaster. The parts of the wreck covers a large area.
Location: Marseille
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sandy
Requirements: CMAS 2 stars, BSAC Sports Diver/Dive Leader, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver/Rescue Diver


Natal – the wreck of a 130 m long liner lies at a depth of 120 m (the deepest wreck in southern France). The ship sank in 1917 after a collision with other ship. This is a deep dive which is recommended only to very experienced trimix divers. This dive is weather-dependent. The visibility here is very good and the marine life is abundant.
Location: Cassis harbour
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: CMAS 3 stars, BSAC Advanced Diver


Plane Island – in this area there is plenty spots to be discovered. South of the island there are beautiful underwater arches, walls and other rock formations. Other attractions in this spot are caves and abundant marine life.
Location:
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed:
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Riou Island – the waters around the island have a lot to offer. Divers will enjoy magnificent walls and other rock formations covered with gorgonians. The depth ranges from 15 to 80 m.
Location: Riou Island
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rocky/sandy
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Rubis – the wreck of a 66 m long submarine lies at a depth of 40 m. It was deliberately sunk by the French Navy as a sonar target in 1958. The spot might be crowded because it is very popular. It is unsafe to penetrate the wreck but the wildlife and the atmosphere make this spot worth visiting.
Location: Sainte Maxime, near Saint Tropez
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sandy
Requirements: CMAS 3 stars, BSAC Advanced Diver


Tantine (Barge aux Congers) – the wreck of 18 m long French tugboat lies at a depth of 45 m. The wreck itself is not very big but it is teeming with life (especially congers).
Location: the Isle of Bagaud
Type of dive: boat dive
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Togo – the wreck of a cargo ship lies at a depth of 60 m but the deck starts at 45 m. The ship hit the mine, broke in two and sank in 1918. The wreck is covered with colourful gorgonian. This is a deep but very interesting dive. The spot can be crowded because it is very popular.
Location: near Pointe Dubreuil
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sandy
Requirements: CMAS 3 stars, BSAC Advanced Diver