Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in France

The wreck is upside down. 500m northwest of the "Lion de mer" in the middle of Frejus bay. It is only 1km from Santa-Lucia harbour.

Arcouest is a 4.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in France, Brittany North, Paimpol which is accessible from shore based on 4 ratings.

Big granitic cliff, canyon, gorgona...many fish.

Centre aquatique Pajeaud is also known as Fosse d'Antony.

NE of Maïre island

Saint Yves is the main dive site for all diving clubs of Bordeaux. This is a great place for dive training and orientation. You can reach several wrecks, the easyest is named 'Cote bleu'. With a dive site map, and a good orientation sense, you can try to reach other wrecks... The Marie Noelle (N), the two east wrecks (NE), and several others. The deepest place is Saint Yves whole (the false one), at hight tide you will find around 30m deep. This is the deepest place of the whole Arachon bay. This site is located in Arcachon city, right side of the jetty named 'La Chapelle'. Acces the site from the small Saint François d'assise street, 50m east from the jetty. Saint Yves is also known as Le trou Saint Yves.

E of Riou island La pointe de Caramassaigne is also known as Pointe de Caramasagne.

The Laos was built in Dunkerque in 1903. This 135m long steamer liner sunk february 9th, 1907 in the Four plateau. The best part of this wreck is the stern, and the two boilers in the poop. The Four plateau, 35 minutes SW from the Croisic harbor.

By boat and only with very experimented professional.

This wreck is only 100m far from the Ville de Grasse. This is a small broken wreck (39m long). Only one dive is enough to see the whole wreck. Best part is the prow, 39m deep. Poop is all broken, only engines are still recognizable. The wreck is 500m S SE from the Grand Ribaud lighthouse. Le Michel C is also known as Le Correo de Cette.

Don't miss this dive. A must. S of Maïre island

This is a great dive. Beautifull archs and wonderfull walls full of gorgonians. Usually fish shoals around arches. The Farillons are the two rocks of the SE part of Maïre island. Arches des Pharillons is also known as Arches des Farillons.

Very nice dive. The cave is just below the platform. Recommended to dive twice (cave + wall) this area. Eastern tip of Plane island.

S of Riou island

If too much wind, this dive site can be a solution... W of Maïre island.

La Grande Baie is also known as Cap Ferrat.

German steam vessel. Sunk may 28th, 1913. S of Ouessant island, near La Jument lighthouse

Great dive. Tunnel entrence is 9m deep. Take care of the swell... SW of Tiboulen of Maïre rock, W of Maïre island

Very nice dive, for all level divers. In the middle of Jarre island, W side

The Drôme was a vessel carying many kind of things. It sunk on a mine, january 23, 1918. It is broken into two parts. Vessel size: - Length: 69m - Width: 10m 2.5 miles from Goudes harbour, 3 miles from the Pointe-Rouge harbour.

S of Frioule islands.

The wreck: Le Dalton is an English cargo. It was built in Stockolm in 1877. Le Dalton was carying lead ingots when it sunk february 19, 1928. Vessel size: - Length: 70m - Width: 20m Against to planier island (north side).

N of Jarre island (SE of the small rock named Jarron)

Great canyons ! DO NOT ENTER THE FORBIDDEN AREA OF THE MARINE PARK This site is located only 100m N from the forbidden part of the marine park.

Rocamadour, Lot

Great site with a lot of fishs near the surface (large shoal often seen). Do not look for them at 20m deep ! Just S of Cap l'abeille !

S of Maïre island

Small Greek cargo. Sunk march 18, 1963. Nice wheel to take in picture. Near Amoco Cadiz wreck, in front of Portsall village.

The wreck is scaterled on a rocky slope, upside down. Lampaul bay, Ouessant island. Le Keradog is also known as Le minéralier.

S of Maïre island

Small rock between, SE of Riou.

This small reef is just located out of Hendaye bay, only 1.5nm from the end of harbour channel exit. Banc de Chicharvel is also known as Bajo Chicharvel.

Danish carco built in 1978. Sunk in 1979. South of Ouessant island

English steam vessel, 115m long. Sunk december 26th, 1917 (mine bomb). In Helle channel

Old mixed (sail/steam) English vessel. Sunk in 1865 while its first travel between Liverpool and Panama. Length: 76m. Great deep dive ! Between Ouessant island and Corsen CROSS.

Very nic wall on the south part of the shoal. North point of Riou island.

Ker-Bihan is not as nice as the two other wrecks in the area: The Drôme and the Miquelon. It was an old fish boat, transformed into minehunter. It sunk on a mine january 23, 1918, only few days after the Drôme. Vessel size: - Length: 35 - Width: 10m 2.5 miles from Goudes harbour, 3 miles from the Pointe-Rouge harbour.

Nice arches. S of Plane island

The Saint Dominique sunk june 16, 1897. It's a very nice wreck. Vessel size: - Length: 70m - Width: 10m North roadstead of Marseille, 800m from the coast.

W of Frioule island, near a small rock named Tiboulen du Frioule

German bomber wreck. Very nice cos not broken. Size: 14x20m Note: There is another Junker 88 in Marseille, 15m deep. West of Frioule islands, between Pomègues and Ratonneau.

S of Plane island

Very nice dive. The shoal named Maya's rock is made of two parts, with wonderfull gorgonians. The wall is also great. Large groupers, and sometime moon-fishes... Don't miss it! SW of Frioule island, near Cap Caveaux La pierre à Maya is also known as La pierre Fendue, La pierre aux Corbs.

Great dive NE of the Grand Congoulé rock, E of Riou island

Two other wrecks near by: La Perle and Le Castel-Meur. Warship vessel type: French Aviso. Sunk probably october 1954 (training target for Jean Bart vesel). Size: - Length: 78m - Width: ~10m In the middle of Douarnenez bay.

Small wooden ferry boat, lying on a sandy floor. Lampaul bay, Ouessant island.

French war vessel (Aviso). Built in 1917, sunk in 1947. Length: 72m. Best is to dive 45 minutes before low or high tide. In front of Corsen CROSS.

Supertanker from Liberia. Sunk march 16th, 1978. Length: 330m ! (about 1080 Ft.) It's actualy the bigest Werck you can dive in the world. (the Oriskany is 200 Ft. smaller) Portsall's reef.

Panamean steam vessel of 80m long. Sunk in 1955. South of Corsen CROSS point. An isolated danger buoy signal a rocky shoal. The wreck is on the East.

Nice little cave and wall. No way to dive there if strong east wind. From shore, Escampobariou can be accessed by the track back to the restaurant named Pointe Escampo-Barriou is also known as La Madrague de Giens.

This is a great wall full of gorgonians. You will probably see barracuda shoals, and a lot of huge groupers. The east wall of La Gabinière is located SE from the rock ! Dive site is protected from strong W wind (Mistral) but not from the E wind.

This 85m long greman steamer was torpeadoed august 4th, 1917. 7.5 miles W of Noirmoutier island.

Belharra is a classic dive of the area. The shoal is very large, so several dives can be done here. Belharra is located 2nm West from Saint Jean de Luz. Belharra Perdun is also known as Belharra, Belara.

The Astrée is a big french cargo, sunk 1st may, 1944 by an English submarine (Untiring). This wreck is located very closed to Port-Vendres harbour. It also can be accessed from the other harbours (Banyuls, Colioure).

FOR SAFETY REASONS, THIS WRECK IS FORBIDDEN ! THERE ARE SOME EXPLOSIVES NEAR THE WRECK. This wreck is located in the middle of Hyères bay, 4 km from the Mèdes cap.

This is a funny wreck, in shallow water. The first wreck dive for newbees ! This small wreck is located north from the small Langoustier island, near the buoy named 'La jaune garde' between Giens and Porquerolles island. Le Cimentier is also known as Le cimentier de la jaune garde.

Beautiful wall of gorgonians and small caves with morays. The sec du sarragnier is located between Porquerolles and Port-Cros. It's a wide area with shoals and walls. Sec du Sarranier is also known as Sèche du Sarranier.

The U 263 submarine wreck is located 18nm from La Rochelle. It takes 1 or 2 hours to get there.

This is a similar dive to the East wall of the Gabinière, but less current. Boat can be moored to the National Park buoy. Species: Groupers, morrays, scorpionfishes, etc. This dive site is also easy to find. SE side of Port-Cros.

Flat broken wreck, only congers are interesting... At 1200m north from the Cap des Mèdes. Le Marcel is also known as Le vapeur.

This dive site is similar to the near dive site named Pointe de Montrémian, a long line of rocks, only few meters high, with lot of sea grass around. Dive site is exposed to east wind, and some time, current can be strong. A buoy has been placed for boat by the National Park. Interesting species are the white gorgonians, and the sea grass forest. Sometime, large familiar groupers are seen. This site is located near the Gabinière rock, SE from Port-Cros.

It's a common dive spot for beginers and photographers. A common dive spot when the mistral wind blows (from the West). Les Mèdes is the NE cap of Porquerolles island. Cap des Mèdes is also known as Cap des Mèdes, Rocher des deux frères.

This dive site is located into Port-Maguide camping. There is a little beach with a long deck from which you can dive.

The Jean-Pierre wreck is an old trawler, sunk in 1969. It is linked by a chain to two other wrecks, the René-Hervé and the Perle. The wreck is only 3 min, NNW from the Arcachon hrabour.

Steam vessel built in Glasgow, 1904. Sunk in 1915. Length: 79m. Near Le Colombian, between Ouessant island and the Corsen CROSS.

This site is very easy to find. Park your car at the latest car park of the socoa dike, at the south exit of Saint Jean de Luz pass. Access the dive site from the small beach, below the car park.

Very nice shoal, including gorgonians, lobsters and reef fishes. Just southeast, out of the Méjean rocky inlet

Check out this great fall full of lobsters. Can not remember about this magnificent dive site off Cape Dramont. A very large plate and cut along a fall of more than 20m, which is rich in lobsters, sponges and small caves hiding benches full of shrimp. A beautiful dive to make several times and which makes its debut Trimix mixture. Only for N3 confirmed (and more). Easy access via Poussaï Harbor La Théière is also known as Théière.

This is a 1st world war wreck. The wreck does not have a large interest, but fauna is realy abundant (Congers eels, lobsters, etc.). You can reach this wreck from Anglet harbour. It is a very difficult wreck to find (flat wreck).

This is a two levels dock fish boat. This wreck is located at 3 miles away from Anglet harbour.

A classic dive of the area. This shoal (in fact several shoals) are located between Saint Jean de Luz and Biarritz.

This is a classic dive. The shoal is so large that you can make 10 different dives at Les esclaves. Les esclaves is a very large shoal located 2 miles away from Biarritz, 5 miles SW from Anglet. Les esclaves (Tombant sud) is also known as Basse des esclaves.

The Artha sea wall protects the Saint Jean de Luz bay. Dive site is on the bay side.

The double-tail plane wreck is upside down, laying on a sandy floor. Thr right engine is still under the wing, the left one is broken. This plane wreck is located in the mouth of the Lecques bay, 1 mile away from the coast. Lockheed P38 is also known as Epave du P 38 des Lecques.

This Panamean cargo is 53 m long. Built in 1912, the Sagona sunk december 3, 1945. One year and half after the world war 2 mines in this area were still dangerous. The wreck is in two parts. The better place is the poop. Le Grec is a bit more than a mile east from the small Sarragnier, SE from Porquerolles. And only half mile east from Le Donator. Le Grec is also known as Le Sagona.

There is a small cave at the bottom of the east wall. Have a look to the roof, there are som red corals... but do not touch tem, it's strictlt forbidden. The island is located west from Bandol. Usually, you access the site by boat from Bandol. But if you can also walk from a car park near the Athena residence to small private harbour.

This plane is all broken. There are only part of wings. This is the same kind of plane than Saint Exupery's. These parts should have been moved by trawler... This american plane is located half a mile in fron of La Ciotat harbour.

The Saumur is a 108m cargo, build in Scotland in 1920. The deck and mast are well conservated. It was torpedoed 21st may, 1944 by the British submarine Upstart. The Saumur wreck is located just south from the Astrée, between Port-Vendres harbour and Béar cape.

Start the dive starts from the creek, to the SE along the coast between 10m and 25m. There are many rocks, with white gorgonians. Also look for sea slugs... Drive the coastline road from Collioure to Port-Vendres. Park beside to the Port-Vendres cemetery (equip here). Go down to the creek by the track. Cimetière de Port-Vendres is also known as La mauresque.

This is a great place to dive. Bottom of both sides of the rock are different. East side bottom is sand, and west side bottom is covered by sea grass. It's a good idea to get a torch because there are lot of fishes and tiny crustaceans inside the rock. Lacated north side of Port-Cros, at La galère headland.

Thi is the most famous dive site of the Gulf. Best is to dive at high tide. There are a lot of life and a great wall with orange gorgonians. SW side of l'Ile Longue. Four mooring buoys are available.

One of the most beautiful wrecks of the French rivivera. This cargo ship (76m long) sunk on a mine during WWI (12 May 1918), its front part lies upright at a depth of 45-55m. It is a difficult but rewarding dive (max. 15 minutes bottom time if you dive with air, and approx. 20 min for ascent+decompression stops). Consider using enriched air for decompression. !!! PLAN YOUR DIVE !!! IMPORTANT: the stern is 170m away (bearing: 140°) at a depth of 69m (Trimix highly recommended). DO NOT attemp to dive both during the same dive, as you would run out of air, and face extreme decompression stops. There is enough to see anyway on both parts of the wreck to make it worth (at least) a dive each. This wreck is referenced under SHOM18036011 Lat: 43°10'124N Long: 06°35'622E Datum: EUR50 More informations available in the following book: Togo can be reached from Cavalaire harbour. The wreck is near the Pointe Dubreuil. Le Togo is also known as Ville de Valence.

See PlongeeSout for details In Martel, take the D23 to the north. Once D23 cross the GR46 (treck track), cross the stream named « la doue » and continue on the left on the track. Pass the watermill and go ahead up to the wooden fence. Park here. The dive site is up to the track (approx 600 m). Oeil de la Doue is also known as Oeil de la Doux.

Sunk date: Near July, 1964 (it was a target for a submarine). Wreck size: - Length: 45,5 m - Width: 8,5 m The Puissante wreck is located in the middle of the NW side of Le Levant Island. WARNING: This wreck is located just near a military area (< 200 m). You need to ask an authorization first !

This is a great place for children dive and first dive experience. Calm and clear water, abundant sea life. Also good for snorkeling and night dives. Just S of Porto Pollo.

The top of the shoal is only 6m, so you can see it from the surface. Les aiguilles is a set of three main shoals, linking together as a Cathedral. Abundant sea life, and great walls full of gorgonians. SE of Taravo island (Porto Pollo)

Tunnels on the eastern side at the bottom; great wall on the northern side. Two biological interests: - Oculina patagonica is a hard coral (like those on tropical waters!) that has been imported on the eastern side of the rock, near 4m deep. Brown colour, approx 4/5m². - Savalia (Gerardia) savaglia is an arborescent anemone that grows on gorgonians (both red an white). You can find this rare specie on the northern wall of the rock. Easy to find cos of the pale yellow/white colour in the middle of the red gorgonians. Small rock closed to Riou island (SE). Part of the three rocks named "Les imperiaux".

Wildcat is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in France, Mediterranean, Lavandou which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

The B17 American Bomber was used during WWII (1941+). It was also named the "Flying Fortress", becauce of it's 13 machine guns! In 1944, the B17 G "Baron" was in mission in Italy. Unfortunately, German fighters hit the Baron. Without any radio, the pilot Frank Chaplick, decide to fly to Calvi (Corsica, France). The landing strip was too short, so he decided to land on sea. Wreck size: - length: 23m - wingspan: 32m Location: Calvi, France. The B17 wreck is N from the Calvi citadel, at the foot of a small green lighthouse. Easily accessible as a shore dive or use one of the numerous dive operators in Calvi who run daily trips. B17 wreck is also known as B-17, Boeing B17 American bomber.

Alja was a 43m long Netherlandish cargo that sank february 18th 1940. The boat is broken in two part; the poop is upside down. The wheel is still out of the sand, as well as the safety wheel. Chenal des Moutons (Sheep channel), between Concarneau and the Glenans Islands.

The Cassidaigne is very exposed to the Mistral wind. Dive here only with low wind! The Cassidaigne is a danger buoy, located 4 nautical miles south south-east of Cassis, and 4 nautical miles southwest of La Ciotat. La cassidaigne is also known as La Bigue.

Very nice wall, with gorgonians and groupers. Souternmost side of En Vau rocky inlet, west of Cassis. Pointe d'En Vau is also known as Pointe d'en Vau.

Just in front the UCPA center, 0.2 nautical mile south of Niolon harbor.

The Ressel is a very large underwater river. The entrance is 6m deep in the Célé river. Water is often very clear, and you can make good pictures. See details of this underwater river at Plongeesout.com: http://www.plongeesout.com/sites/roussilon-pyrenees/lot/ressel.htm The Ressel is located 1km east of Marcilhac-sur-Cele, in the Lot. Park on the road side where the river is very close to the road at the start of a long straight section. The entrance is 60m east from the equipment point. Le Ressel is also known as Emergence du Ressel.

A large small wall running south to north between the two rocks. A sandy area on the southwest side. The north rock is better than the south one, including more marine life. Rocks located in the Sabias bay, in front of the old castle. This is on the south side of Yeu Island.

Two large rocks. Bottom made of boulders full of corynactis anemons. Just in front of the beach named Les Vieilles, southeast of Yeu Isalnd.

Small drop-off for low level divers. Sealife is interesting for first-dives in the lake. West side of the Bourget Lake, between La Chapelle-du-Mont-du-Chat and Bourdeau. Tête de la vache is also known as Tahïti.

Dive from the end of the dig, near the right pipe. Dive to the south following the coastline. The Pythéas wreck is located at 11m deep. This old broken wreck sunk in octobre 1897. There is not much to see there but a lot nearby. South of Port Vendres. Go to the dig "du mole abri". Wear your dive gear next to the restaurant named "le Gibraltar".

Deep dive with a great wall (drop-off and a cave near 40m). Life is good near the surface for deco. Just take care of the boat traffic, the Chatillon harbour is just nearby. South of the Chatillon castle point, access by Chatillon harbour.

Very nice cave (entrance at 35m deep). Wall down to 45m deep. SE of Riou island. Just E from L'imperial de terre. La grotte à corail de Riou is also known as Riou's coral cave.