MELANIE - Marseille & Calanques

Melanie is one of our favourite little wrecks in the Calanques, a real standout if you’re into history you can touch. We’re talking about a small, wooden barge, sunk in World War II, lying upright in just 13 metres. It’s perfect for a long, relaxed dive, especially if you want to practice your wreck skills without going too deep. The wood has long since softened and begun to break down, but the outline of the hull is still clear. It’s like diving through a ghost ship; beams of light pierce the gaps where planks once were. We’ve found plenty of lobsters tucked into the remaining structure, and schools of damselfish flit in and out. The bow section is particularly intact and our pick for spending some time just observing the resident fish. While it’s not huge, the intimate scale means you can really get to know the wreck over a single dive. Go on a sunny morning; the visibility really pops, and the light play through the wreck is just something else.

Location
Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.109455, 5.925807
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
13m

Marine Protected Area: Cap Sicie - Six Fours

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 MELANIE

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 MELANIE

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