BALEINIERE
Protected Area
Baie et cap d'Antibes - îles de Lerins
Why dive here
With 157+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and mobula rays (devil rays) - BALEINIERE offers some of Marseille & Calanques's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-25°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Baleinière, a small trawler resting on its side, is one of our favourite wreck dives in the Calanques. It’s not enormous, dropping to 60 metres, but the way it’s settled makes for some interesting navigation. You’ll find it mostly intact, the bow pointing west, with the stern section having collapsed a bit. We love how the light plays on the metal, especially if you hit it mid-morning. Look for conger eels poking out from the engine room, and the resident groupers aren't shy about checking you out. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration, peering into the nooks and crannies that have become home to so many colourful nudibranchs. Definitely one for divers comfortable with depth and who appreciate a wreck with a bit of character.
Typical BALEINIERE Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 60m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
BALEINIERE Wreck History
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown
Resting in the deep blue off the coast of Marseille, the 'Baleinière'-French for 'whaleboat'-is a wreck shrouded in mystery. Its history, name, and the story of its sinking have been lost to time, leaving only its ghostly form for technical divers to explore. Given its name, it was almost certainly a vessel involved in the whaling industry, a tough and sturdy boat built to pursue the largest creatures in the sea.
At a depth of 60 meters, this is a dive reserved for experienced technical and trimix divers. The journey down through the water column reveals a small, intriguing wreck site. While its wooden structures have long since decayed, remaining metallic components offer clues to its past. The depth ensures the site is often quiet and serene, visited only by deep-water fauna. For those qualified to reach it, the Baleinière offers a peaceful and contemplative dive into the forgotten maritime history of the Mediterranean.
Nearest Dive Centres to BALEINIERE
Dive shops near BALEINIERE
SUBVISION PLONGEE
École de plongée
Neptune Plongée
La Cigale Plongée
Centre De Plongée De La Rague
BeFree2Dive
Reviews for BALEINIERE
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BALEINIERE
BALEINIERE Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BALEINIERE, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (43.11, 5.89) (32km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
21°C
69°F · Range: 15.7–23.1°C
Air Temperature
18°C
64°F
Wind Speed
6.69 m/s
13.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1016.9 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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