PHECDA - Marseille & Calanques

PHECDA is a wreck we always recommend for new wreck divers, especially in the Calanques. It’s got a bit of history, going down quickly after a collision in 1973, and sits upright at a very manageable 13 metres. We love that it’s still largely intact, giving you a real sense of a vessel frozen in time. What makes PHECDA special is how the light filters down, illuminating the stern and the bow sections. You can poke your head into the hold, imagining the cargo it once carried, or weave around the superstructure where gorgonians have taken hold. Expect to see schools of juvenile barracuda darting through the interior, while resident scorpionfish camouflage themselves against the rusty hull plates. It’s a comfortable dive, often with good visibility, making it a genuinely relaxing exploration. Go early morning if you can, before the boat traffic picks up, for the best light on the deck.

Location
Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.350000, 5.283333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
13m

Marine Protected Area: Iles du frioul

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 PHECDA

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 PHECDA

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