Arche du plannier
Why dive here
With 77+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, ocean sunfish (mola mola), octopuses and sea turtles - Arche du plannier offers some of Medes Islands's richest cave diving. Water ranges 14-24°C, warmest July, August, September.
Arche du Plannier, now this is a Medes classic we always make time for. It’s more of a swim-through than a true cave, which means we’re not hauling heavy cave gear, just enjoying the ride. The main draw here is the light, or the lack thereof, then the sudden explosion as you emerge. We love dropping down to the arch entrance, maybe 15 metres or so, then just drifting through. Inside, the walls are covered in those deep Mediterranean reds – the red coral here is a real treat, glowing under your torch. Look closely for pale lucinas and maybe a lurking dogfish if you're lucky. It’s a site that really makes you feel the cool embrace of the Mediterranean. The contrast between the shaded interior and the bright blue outside is incredibly dramatic, a real feast for the eyes. We’d suggest going in the late morning, around 10 or 11, when the sun is high enough to really penetrate the water and create those incredible light beams. Keep an eye out for ornate wrasse flitting about the entrance. It suits divers who appreciate a good visual spectacle and don't mind a bit of current to spice things up – it can get a bit pushy sometimes, but that just adds to the adventure.
Typical Arche du plannier Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.
Nearest Dive Centres to Arche du plannier
Dive shops near Arche du plannier
UCPA
L'atelier de la mer
CIP Marseille
Dune
Atoll Plongée
Balanea
Reviews for Arche du plannier
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Arche du plannier
Arche du plannier Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Arche du plannier, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (43.2, 5.22) (37km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
20°C
69°F · Range: 17.4–22.8°C
Current Speed
9.85 cm/s
Direction: SW (246°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.182 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
38.21 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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