Les pierres du matelot - Marseille & Calanques
Les Pierres du Matelot, just off Marseille, offers a straightforward dive suitable for most skill levels. We’ve found the rocky topography interesting, with plenty of small crevices to peek into. Look out for octopus tucked away and schools of damselfish flitting about the rocks. It’s a solid choice for a relaxing afternoon dive.
- Location
- Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 43.204740, 5.346969
Marine Protected Area: Iles Marseillaises - Cassidaigne
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
- 3 îlots - 42m
- ADMIRAL DUPERRE - 5m (wreck)
- ADROIT - 10m (wreck)
- Aile de Carro
- ALERTE - 8m (wreck)
- ANNE BEWA - 10m (wreck)
- Anse au Canon
- Aritay
- Arpillon Drop-off (wall)
- ARROYO (CIT) - 33m (wreck)
- ARTESIEN - 48m (wreck)
- Baie dès Milliardaires - 13m
- BALEINIERE - 60m (wreck)
- Banc des vieilles
- Banyuls Aquarium
Nearest Dive Centres to Les pierres du matelot
- Anaya Plongée - CMAS
- Aqua Pro Dive International
- ATELIER DE LA MER
- Balanea
- BeFree2Dive - FFESSM, SSI
- BORMES PLONGEE - SSI, FFESSM, PADI
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
- Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
- Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
- Atlantic Spotted Flounder (Citharus linguatula) - Reef Fish
- grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
- Capelin (Trisopterus capelanus) - Reef Fish
- Thornback skate (Raja clavata) - Sharks & Rays
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Black-bellied angler (Lophius budegassa) - Reef Fish
- conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
- Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
- Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals
- Mullet (Mullus barbatus) - Reef Fish
- Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
- Jac (Helicolenus dactylopterus) - Reef Fish
- lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
- Gurnard (Trigla lyra) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Red Band-fish (Cepola macrophthalma) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Les pierres du matelot
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