VILLE DE GRASSE - Marseille & Calanques

The Ville de Grasse is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. She’s not deep, sitting perfectly upright at 30m, which means decent bottom time and a good amount of light filtering through. We love how her superstructure is still largely intact. You can fin through the gaping cargo holds, seeing the sunlight shafting down, and imagine the cargo she once carried. It’s a proper swim-through wreck, but not one that feels too confined. The stern is our favourite part, with the propeller still there, encrusted with jewel anemones, often surrounded by schools of small damselfish. Look into the shadows of the machinery; you'll usually spot a conger eel or two, sometimes a big grouper lurking. She's a magnet for nudibranchs, especially in spring, so bring your macro lens. We'd suggest going on a weekday morning to avoid the weekend boat traffic. There can be a bit of current, nothing too wild, but enough to make you appreciate the shelter of the wreck itself. It’s a fantastic wreck for divers comfortable with depth, offering a real sense of history and plenty of exploration without being overly challenging.

Location
Marseille & Calanques, France, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
43.008335, 6.150000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

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 VILLE DE GRASSE

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 VILLE DE GRASSE

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