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Dive sites

A trip to Cerbère and Banyuls-sur-Mer allows you to access the Banyuls marine reserve. The first marine park is a vast diving area extending 6.5 km along the coast, north of the Spanish border. It was created in 1974 to protect the seabed of the Vermeille coast. Divers can observe approximately 1,200 sea animals and 500 flora species! The coast is rocky with small sandy creeks corresponding to the beds of ancient rivers that flowed there. The result is an underwater topography that is an extension of the terrestrial relief. Between the spot of Les Trois Moines, Les Tignes, and the Cap l'Abeille, you explore a multitude of faults, arches, and caves whose walls are covered with white anemones and yellow encrusting sponges. The reserve effect influences the local ecosystem with impressive biodiversity. At about twenty meters below the surface, divers discover coral beds characteristic of the Mediterranean coast and very favorable to the development of red coral.

The dive site of Canadells, at the exit of Cerbère, is very representative of the seabed of this zone. Further south, on the Spanish side, the Cap Creus reserve is also accessible from Cerbère and Banyuls. To see big groupers and schools of barracuda. Take the opportunity to visit four of the most beautiful wrecks in the Mediterranean. Off Argelès-sur-Mer, divers explore the wreck of the Alice Robert - known as the Bananier, a cargo ship 88 meters long. For five years, she transported fruit and all sorts of perishable goods from the French colonies to Bordeaux and Nantes. Requisitioned by the Germans, she was assigned as a fast and armed escort to protect their supplies along the Italian coast. At 47 meters below the surface, this beautiful wreck is now broken in two parts.  Off Port Vendre and Banyuls-sur-Mer are three other wrecks; the Astrée, the Saumur, and the Saint-Lucien. 

The Astrée, an English coal ship requisitioned by the Germans, lies since the end of the war in two pieces, at a depth of 45 meters. The Saumur is a Scottish freighter, a 108-meter-long coal ship lying at a depth of 45 meters. It is the largest wreck in the Eastern Pyrenees. Saint Lucien was formerly called the Aalborg, after the town where she was built. This wreck is an 80-meter long mineral cargo ship lying at the tip of Cape Béar at 40 meters depth. It can also be explored by staying 30 meters below the surface. These wrecks are located in relatively windy areas, and the best period to discover these wreck dives is from April to November. We recommend that you equip yourself with a 7 mm wetsuit in winter, and even 5 mm in July and August.
These wrecks with their rich history are part of France's past.

Others Activities

Argelès offers you the opportunity to relax on a beautiful sandy beach, canyoning at a park, go hiking, walk to the village market, or take a getaway to Perpignan. You can go to the attractions of Luna Park with children or visit the beautiful castle of Valmy located in a park in the middle of the vineyards. Stroll along marked trails and organize picnics in this magnificent Albères massif. Take a tour of the Argelès-village market and a detour to the village of Castelnou, dominated by the Viscount's castle, on the hillside, dominated by the Pic du Canigou.

Also, make a detour to the small village of artists of Collioure, made up of colorful houses on the mountainside. We recommend you to experience paddle, sea kayaking, and snorkeling. Enjoy idleness on the 12 km of beaches or in the pebble coves of l'Oli, Sainte-Catherine, and En Baux. From Banyuls-Sur-Mer, there are paths leading to the peaks of the Pyrenees or, in a smuggler's way, from the Sana creek to Port-Vendres in the vineyards. Snorkeling and swimming from the tiny pebble beach of Terrimbo or the small coves of El Canu and El Saurel.

Cerbère and Banyuls : Dive shops