The 11 best dive spots in Marseille and its surroundings

Would you like to discover the sea treasures of the French Riviera? So here are the 11 best diving spots in Marseille and its surroundings!

Marseille is undoubtedly one of the must-see capitals of diving in the world! The phocean city and its surroundings are full of wonderful diving sites. The region is known for the diversity of proposed, varied and grandiose dives. Amateurs of shipwrecks, caves or caves, tombs or marine fauna and flora? You will find along the Marseille coastline to satisfy your passion for marine depths.

The 50 diving sites extend around the islands of Friuli, Riou and Planier Lighthouse. Most of these sites are located in Calanques National Park . To help you discover them, we give you the 11 best diving spots in Marseille and its surroundings. All you have to do is put your combination and equip yourself to discover these exceptional sites!

1. The wreck of Chaouen

Located near the Island of the Planier, to which the wreck is oriented, the Chaouen is a huge cargo of 90 meters long for 13.5 meters wide. He was well preserved in 1970. He then transported citrus fruit between Casablanca and Marseille.

Being 35 metres deep, it’s definitely one of the best spots to dive in Marseille and especially one of the most beautiful wrecks in France! Fortunately, this site is accessible to divers of all levels. Indeed, the upper part of the vessel is only a dozen meters deep! If the fauna and flora have not yet appropriated the places, the imposing cargo offers several exciting dives. Only one will not be enough to discover all the secrets!

2. The Great Congloss

Also named Grand Congloue, this diving site of the Riou Islands is known for the archaeological excavations carried out there. The history of the site began in 1948 with the discovery of a wreck by Gaston Cristianini, a Marseille divers. The site was then searched from 1952 to 1957 by the famous Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his team. The Grand Congloué was the first underwater search in the world!

On this site, we discovered thousands of amphores and pottery dating from two different eras. Indeed, it was later proved that two wrecks were superimposed at an interval century at the foot of the island. Accessible to all levels of diving, the Grand Congloué amphores form a habitat for local fauna and flora. This exceptional site is considered to be one of the best diving spots in Marseille and its surroundings!

3. The Farillons

From level 3, the Farillons are one of the best diving spots in Marseille and surely one of the best known! Located south of Maire Island, the site is characterized by two large rocky pitons, nicknamed the Earth and Sea Farillons, which emerge from the depths.

On one side of the dive you will find an abrupt and grandiose falling up to 45 meters and on the other a plateau at 25 meters depth. The whole is separated by a rocky wall holed with arches covered with red, yellow and white gorgones. A beautiful flora and fauna elected to this place. Accessible at all diving levels, the Farillons site is to be done absolutely!

4. Lebanon

Not far from the Farillons is the wreck of Lebanon, an extraordinary wreck in tragic history. Built in 1882 in Glasgow, the steamer "Lebanon" was 91 metres long and 11 metres wide. This impressive shipwrecked on June 7, 1903. Percussed by another ship, the Islander, the Lebanese boilers exploded, causing the death of more than 100 passengers. Today, this wreck is considered one of the best diving spots in Marseille and its surroundings, even the best!

Located only 36 metres deep, Lebanon is accessible to divers at all levels. Moreover, despite the hundred years spent under the water, the wreck is well preserved and houses a rich marine fauna and flora. Many species have indeed elected their homes! Finally, it should be noted that the visit of the Farillons and Lebanon can take place on one day.

5. The Arches of Plane

Located at the southeast end of Calseraigne Island, the dive spot of the Arches de Plane is an atypical site and is more suitable for novice divers. With a maximum of 20 metres, the Arches du Plane are accessible from level 1. The set of large caves and wells that form the site creates magnificent shades and lights. The rays of the sun become real projectors, illuminating fabulous marine scenes!

Caves and arches also house various species of local fauna and flora, suitable for light exposure or dark environment. This beautiful dive is a maximum of 20 metres. It is certainly one of the best diving spots in Marseille and its surroundings, especially for novices!

6. The Imperials

The Imperials are probably one of the best diving spots in Marseille and its surroundings. Only the Farillons and the Grand Congloué can compete with this exceptional site. Located at the end of the Riou archipelago, the diving spot is composed of four emerging rocks and a 70-metre grave, the Imperial of the wide.

Prised by local diving clubs, Imperials are accessible to level 2 divers because powerful currents cross them. On site, you can discover a magnificent, red gorgones-covered tomb where many pelagic hunts cross, such as barracudas, wolves or dorades.

7. The Stone of Briançon

The Pierre de Briançon, a fantastic tooth-shaped rock, is located on the south side of Jarre Island. This diving spot is particularly known for its magnificent arch under which divers can easily pass about 25 meters deep. This arch thus offers an exceptional show, which every visitor would like to immortalize with a beautiful photo.

Coral cover and gorgones, sand banks sometimes climb around. You can also see other local fish and species nearby. On this side of the island of Jarre, you can also discover many faults, caves and holes.

8. Les Grottes de l’Eissadon

Les Grottes de l’Eissadon are located near the Cassis calanques. They are certainly one of the best diving spots in Marseille and its surroundings. The site is very appreciated and well known by climbing enthusiasts, who browse its immersed part. Easy to explore thanks to its beautiful tunnels, the Caves offer fantastic light games.

The rays of the sun crossing the blue of the waters mixed with the geological structure produce an impressive effect! The divers running through the faults and tunnels have the impression of being in a natural cathedral with its superb stained glass.

9. La Pointe de Caramassaigne

Located on the eastern tip of Riou Island, Pointe de Caramassaigne is not far from the Grand Congloué. On site you will find a charming little calanque perfect for anchoring. The dive is at the edge of the cliff and can extend to the Cave of the 3 Mostelles. Between the two, you'll find beautiful tombs.

At the bottom of the site, you will discover a lively and colorful world: gigantic red gorgones, axial sponges, chapons, rascasses, but also murenas, lobsters, merous, green urchins or sea hares! The wreckage of the Saint-Exupéry aircraft is barely further than this diving site. Unfortunately, the GPS point is kept confidential and you can't hope to discover it.

10. Junker JU88

Would you like to watch a plane wreck? So we can only recommend you to discover the wreck of the Junker JU88, one of the best diving spots in Marseille and its surroundings! At a depth of 53 metres, this German bomber of the Second World War crashed in 1943 following an avarie on board. The emergency landing caused the death of at least one German member. This state-of-the-art aircraft was 14.4 metres wide for 4.85 metres high.

The Junker wreck is relatively well preserved. Almost all, only the front part is broken at the cockpit level. The disparity of the front machine gun, the right wing engine and propellers is also noted. However, you can watch the armchairs and instrumentation still present, the engine of the left wing and its German cocard. The area of the wreck also houses a small marine fauna and flora: lobsters, lobsters, sabellas and imposing spirographs.

11. The Capelan Cave

Located at the western end of the Sormiou calanque, the Capelan Cave is like the Elissadon one of the best diving spots in Marseille and its surroundings. Partly immersed, the site is also known to climbers. The Capelan Cave is famous for its majestic arch that forms the entrance of divers. If you want to discover it, prefer the middle of the day when the sun comes to light its walls deliciously.

Adapted to all levels, this relatively easy dive will allow you to appreciate the magnificent architectural structure of the rocks composing the Capelan Cave and the beautiful light games. Unfortunately, there are few underwater fauna to discover on this site.