MICHEL SAY - Marseille & Calanques

The Michel Say is one of our favourites in the Calanques, a carrier vessel sunk deliberately in 1944 to block the harbour entrance at Cassis. It’s sitting upright, quite intact, with the stern at around 35 metres and the bow dipping to 45 metres. What we love about this wreck is how much you can still make out: the winch at the front, the large hold now home to resident conger eels, and the wheelhouse still largely recognisable. It’s got a solid, slightly spooky feel down there, especially when the light is just right, filtering through the superstructure. We’d suggest this one for advanced divers comfortable with depths, as you’ll want to spend time exploring the whole ship. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the wreck stands out sharply against the deep blue. Look closely at the railings and deck; soft corals are starting to bloom, attracting small schooling fish, and we’ve often spotted lobsters tucked into crevices. It’s a dive that really makes you think about the history below.

Location
Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.010967, 6.140133
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Marine Protected Area: Pointe du bon renaud

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 MICHEL SAY

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 MICHEL SAY

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