Diving activities are possible in Provence.
A chance to discover incredible places like the port of Marseille, the Calanques National Park or Port-Cros from a new perspective.
For diving enthusiasts, the depths of Provence are perfect for an incredible experience.
In fact, the history of diving and the history of Provence are intimately linked: it was off the coast of Marseille in 1952 that the first underwater archaeological dig in France took place. At the time, diving equipment had just been developed. A Marseille diver entrusted Frédéric Dumas, a diving pioneer, with the location of a vast amphora deposit. Taken into confidence, Jacques-Yves Cousteau moors his famous ship, the Calypso, near the Riou archipelago. In five years, frogmen from all over the region brought several thousand amphorae to the surface. A few decades later, Provence has become, undoubtedly, an ideal place to carry out underwater sports, mainly because of its treasure-rich seabed.
CÔTE BLEUE
Among the ideal places for diving is undoubtedly the Côte Bleue. The coast stretching from Martigues to Marseille offers highly preserved natural marine environments, ideal for beautiful underwater walks. Some fifteen diving clubs affiliated with the French Federation for Underwater Studies and Sports (FFESSM) are distributed between Sausset-les-Pins, Carry-le-Rouet and Ensuès-la-Redonne. They offer various types of services such as baptisms, exploratory diving, internships and training. In July and August, the Blue Coast Marine Park organizes free guided snorkeling tours in the Carry-le-Rouet marine reserve.
MARSEILLE
Another area suitable for diving is the coast of the city of Marseille. This place has a special connection with diving since, in 1952, a series of amphorae were found, recovered by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his team of divers.
The islands facing Marseille and the maritime part of the Calanques National Park are also renowned for the beauty of their seabeds. In the city, some fifteen FFESSM-affiliated clubs, located on the Corniche at Pointe-Rouge, offer baptisms, trips, and wreck exploration in the harbor.
Marseille offers organized, free, and accessible diving routes to all Frioul and Catalan islanders.
PORT-CROS AND PORQUEROLLES NATIONAL PARK
Another place to discover is the Port-Cros and Porquerolles National Park. Its crystal-clear turquoise waters are home to a marine environment rich in flora and fauna, such as barracuda, nudibranchs, eels, octopus, gorgonians, sponges, sunfish, and more. A handful of wrecks rich in history (the Donator, the Sagona, the Ferrando…) have made Port-Cros and Porquerolles National Park a renowned diving spot.
Come and dive in Provence!