Marseille & Calanques, France
    Baie de la Ciotat

    P 38 Lightning

    Best months: Aug

    Protected Area

    Baie de la Ciotat

    Why dive here

    With 157+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and mobula rays (devil rays) - P 38 Lightning offers some of Marseille & Calanques's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 14-25°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Best timeAug
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Mobula Rays (Devil Rays) · 157+ species recorded
    Water14-25°C · warmest July, August, September
    CharacterWreck dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Dropping down to the P 38 Lightning in Marseille always feels like visiting an old friend. This isn't just another wreck; it's a beautifully preserved piece of history lying on the seabed, practically begging you to explore its secrets. We love tracing the wings, feeling the smooth curve of the fuselage, and imagining the final moments of that Allied fighter plane. You’ll spot the twin engines still largely intact, and the cockpit, if you're comfortable with a brief penetration, offers a real sense of what it was like for the pilot. Schools of small damselfish flit around the control surfaces, and we’ve often found a shy conger eel peeking from a darkened crevice in the engine block. The way the Mediterranean light filters through the water and plays on the aluminium skin is just stunning, especially in the late morning. We’d suggest going then, before the afternoon boat traffic kicks up. Currents here are usually mild, making it a relaxed dive suitable for advanced open water divers keen on a gentle wreck exploration without too many challenging conditions. It’s truly one of our favourite historical dives in the region.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Today05:4717:0311h 17m daylightGolden hour 16:25

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for P 38 Lightning

    P 38 Lightning Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for P 38 Lightning, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (43.11, 5.89) (32km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    21°C

    69°F · Range: 15.7–23.1°C

    Air Temperature

    18°C

    64°F

    Wind Speed

    6.69 m/s

    13.0 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1016.9 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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