Le Heinkel - Marseille & Calanques

Le Heinkel, for us, is one of those wrecks that just hits right. It’s not just a pile of metal; it’s a time capsule, a powerful reminder of history sitting upright at a manageable depth. You drop down, and suddenly, there it is: a German bomber, remarkably intact, resting on a sandy seabed. We love seeing divers’ faces when they first glimpse those unmistakable wings and the fuselage stretching out. The penetration here is minimal, but you can poke your head into the cockpit area, imagining the pilot’s last moments. Look for the engine blocks, often swathed in shimmering schools of juvenile fish – damselfish are always darting in and out of the crevices. We’ve found moray eels tucked into the bomb bay, and the propellors, still surprisingly distinct, are home to plenty of little blennies. The visibility can be a bit variable, but on a good day, sunlight filters through, giving the whole scene a really haunting, ethereal glow. It’s a dive that speaks to both history buffs and anyone who appreciates a wreck with serious character.

Location
Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.753640, 7.495130
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Cap Martin

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 Le Heinkel

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 Le Heinkel

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