BYMS 22 wreck - Marseille & Calanques

The BYMS 22, a British minesweeper sunk in 1944, is one of our favourite wreck dives in the Calanques, hands down. We love the history you can feel here, but it's the way the Mediterranean has reclaimed it that really captivates. Descending onto her deck, usually around 30 metres, you’re greeted by schools of glinting damselfish flitting through the superstructure. What makes the BYMS 22 special is her intact nature. The bow gun is still there, a striking silhouette against the blue, and you can swim through various compartments, feeling the tight squeeze as groupers eyeball you from the shadows. The engine room is a highlight if you're comfortable with overhead environments, but even just finning around the exterior reveals so much. Look closely, and you'll spot colourful nudibranchs grazing on the metalwork. We'd suggest going in the morning; the light filtering through the clear water onto the wreck creates some truly magical moments. It's a dive that suits experienced divers comfortable with depth and perhaps a touch of current, offering a blend of history and thriving marine life that's hard to beat.

Location
Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.409992, 6.768925
Type
wreck

Wreck History - BYMS 22 wreck

Vessel Type
warship
Cause
unknown

The wreck near Marseille known as BYMS 22 belongs to a historic and fascinating class of World War II vessels: the British Yard Minesweeper. These sturdy ships were built in the United States under the Lend-Lease program and transferred to the UK's Royal Navy to perform the perilous task of clearing naval mines from vital shipping lanes. With wooden hulls and mostly non-ferrous fittings to avoid triggering magnetic mines, they were crucial to the Allied war effort. The most famous ship of this class, BYMS-26, would later be converted into the RV Calypso, the iconic research vessel of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau.

Diving the BYMS 22 is like descending onto a piece of world history. As a minesweeper, the vessel was not heavily armed, but divers can still identify key features of its unique design. The wooden hull has likely deteriorated over the decades, but its steel framework, engine, and other machinery provide a fascinating structure to explore. Located in the rich waters of the Calanques National Park, the wreck is now a bustling artificial reef, attracting a dense population of fish, moray eels, and crustaceans that have taken up residence in this forgotten hero of the sea.

Marine Protected Area: Embouchure de l'Argens

Best Time to Dive in Marseille & Calanques

The warmest water temperatures in Marseille & Calanques occur in January, averaging 13.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 13.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 13.9°C (air: 8.8°C)
  • February: 13.9°C (air: 10.5°C)
  • March: 13.9°C (air: 11.6°C)
  • April: 13.9°C (air: 13.8°C)
  • May: 13.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • June: 13.9°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • July: 13.9°C (air: 24.9°C)
  • August: 13.9°C (air: 24.7°C)
  • September: 13.9°C (air: 21.3°C)
  • October: 13.9°C (air: 17.8°C)
  • November: 13.9°C (air: 13.2°C)
  • December: 13.9°C (air: 9.9°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Marseille & Calanques

Nearest Dive Centres to BYMS 22 wreck

Marine Life in Marseille & Calanques

Home to 163 recorded species including 101 reef fish, 17 sharks & rays, 10 whales & dolphins, 6 crabs & lobsters, 6 octopus & squid, 5 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for BYMS 22 wreck

Based on average water temperature of 13.9°C.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 14°C water
  • Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories