Le Hellcat - Marseille & Calanques

Dropping onto the Hellcat, there’s an immediate sense of history. This American fighter plane, a Grumman F6F-5, went down in 1944 and now rests in two main sections, the fuselage and the wings, spread across a sandy bottom. We love how relatively intact it is, even after all these years. You can still make out the cockpit area and the engine cowling, a real eerie beauty. It’s not just a pile of metal either; sponges and anemones have taken hold, and we often spot conger eels peeking out from darker corners. For photographers, the light here can be incredible, filtering down onto the wreck, especially in the late morning. It’s a manageable dive, rarely deep, making it perfect for those wanting a taste of wreck diving without extreme challenges. Just watch for occasional fishing lines, they can be a nuisance.

Location
Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.141850, 6.457867
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Domaine du rayol

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 Hellcat

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 Hellcat

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