Diving in France

Mediterranean & Europe

2 regions

596 dive sites

France, the very cradle of modern diving, holds a special place in our hearts. Beyond the historical significance, it’s the sheer variety that truly sets it apart. While the Atlantic offers interesting cold water dives, our focus definitely lies in the Mediterranean, particularly around Marseille and Corsica, where the water warms up nicely from June to September. You’ll find everything from impressive WWII wrecks, still carrying their secrets, to ancient Roman pottery scattered across the seabed, a tangible link to history. We particularly love the unexpected encounters with species like the Odd Bobtail Squid or the distinctive Axefish, tucked into the rocky crevices, proving there's always something new to spot, even in well-dived waters.

France Dive Regions

2 diving areas in France

Corsica

Corsica diving, for us, is about those dramatic granite landscapes continuing right below the surface. We’re talking sheer walls plunging into the blue, riddled with grottos and overhangs, often thick with red gorgonian fans. Visibility is consistently good, usually 20m plus, especially outside of the peak summer months when the coastal waters can get a bit churned up. Our favourite spots are often found around the Scandola Nature Reserve. Here, you’ll find cracks in the rock filled with common lobsters waving their antennae and shy painted eels peeking out. Look closely, and you might spot an Odd Bobtail Squid scooting across the seabed, changing colours right before your eyes. We’ve also had some incredible encounters with grey dolphins offshore, often coming right up to the bow on the way out to a dive site. The wrecks, particularly those from WWII, are fantastic too, often encrusted with life and home to schooling bastard grunt. If you can, aim for late spring or early autumn; the water is still warm, and the dive boats are less crowded. Just watch for strong currents on some of the more exposed pinnacles.

171 dive sites

Marseille & Calanques

Marseille and the Calanques, it’s not your typical tropical getaway, but it’s absolutely worth the dive. We love the rugged, sun-baked coastline dropping sharply into the Med, making for some dramatic wall dives. Picture yourself drifting along a rocky face, spotting transparent gobies darting into crevices, or maybe a Cadenat's Rockfish peering out from a darker corner. The wrecks are a major draw here; there are hundreds, though many are deep. If you’re wreck-certified, you’ll find some incredible, well-preserved sites that tell a real story. And the caves - oh, the caves. Exploring the light shafts and grottoes, it feels like an adventure from a Jules Verne novel. Keep an eye out for a passing Blue-white Dolphin, especially in the deeper, open sections. Currents can be tricky, so always listen to your dive guide, but often they mean some excellent drift dives. Early autumn is our favourite time; the water is still warm, and the summer crowds have thinned out.

425 dive sites