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Dive sites

Scuba diving vacations in Marseille opens up an immense territory of discovery where stories of shipwrecks abound. All the wrecks are concentrated around the city and do not require long sailings. Equipped with semi-rigid, most of the dive centers in Marseille offer these fun dives: The wreck of the Saint-Dominique, 70 m long and 10 m wide lies on a bottom of 33 m. You will make a very lovely ambiance dive. To see the wooden deck, the metal bars, the empty holds. Look towards the surface through the dark deck bars, which then cut into the ambient blue. The wreck of the Messerschmitt plane, 9 meters long with a wingspan of 10 meters, is located about 100 meters from the Island of the Planier, on a depth of 45 meters.

You get a very nice impression as you descend onto the dark wreck lying upside down on this huge white sandy bottom. To be seen: the muzzle of the ship's cannon and the propeller's warhead. Some conger eels are hiding in the holes. The wreck lies along a drop-off covered with gorgonians. The Junker 88, a twin-engine bomber plane, is located 1 km south of the island of Frioul. It lies 53 meters below the surface, lying straight on the sandy bottom with its tail bent at 45°. The structure of the plane, 14 meters long and with a wingspan of 20 meters, is intact. A swastika can be seen on the left-wing. Under the wings, you'll find lobsters and crawfish. The Drôme, a steel sailing and steamship, 69 meters long and 10 meters wide, lies off the port of Pointe Rouge.

To be seen: the forward hold, the bow, the winch, the cannon pointing to starboard. Very nice viewpoint when you go down along the bow away from the wreck. The Chaouen is a 90 m long and 13 m wide citrus fruit cargo ship. The wreck is shallow, and at 36 meters, you can see the propeller and rudder. The Dalton has its bow at a depth of 15 meters. It is quickly explored because it is 50 m long. It has broken up into large slabs of scrap metal lying on a rock. The rail and starboard sides are intact. The holds are filled with ore. In 1918, the Ker-Bihan, a small 30 m long trawler, was involved in a minesweeping operation. It collided with a mine, exploded, and sank between 52 and 58 m deep.

The Miquelon is a cod freighter 49 meters long and 7.5 meters wide. It was transporting cod between Newfoundland and France. In 1917, requisitioned by the army, she left Marseille with a cargo of cast iron onboard and collided with the steamship Balkan. The ship sank and landed straight on 52 meters. To see the hold containing shells, grenades, and ammunition. Located near the Farillon Arch, the Liban is a 91 m long and 11 m wide liner. To see: the stern at 36 meters, the bronze propeller, and the open forward hold. Visit the saloon, the cabins, and the kitchen with its brick ovens. Bow at 28 meters with a huge winch. On the port bow, discover a big anchor in place with a chain. The other diving spots of Marseille have an underwater topography composed of drop-offs, rocks, caves, and arches on which sublime red gorgonians, sponges, ascidians, but also lobsters and crabs are fixed.

At Ratonneau Island, you dive into the cave of the "Pointe de la Luc". Around the islands of Maïre and Tiboulen, you explore the coral and lobster caves, such as those of Maïre or Les Yeux de Chats (the cat's eyes). Then, around the island of Jaïre, you walk in the Rainbow Cave and La Mystérieuse. Around the Island Plane, a very natural site, divers discover the Fathers' Cave spot. Other caves bear the names of their respective discoverers, such as the caves of Fred, Kiki, and Sylvie...Around the Island of Riou, Les Impériaux (the imperials), the Moyades, and the Moyadon are also famous spots among divers. L'impérial du Large is probably the best dive site in Marseille; no wonder all those who have done it are very proud of it!
Marseille is France's dream dive destination with drop-offs, caves, and wrecks to explore from April to October.

Others Activities

Visit the Cathedral of the Major, located in quartier du Panier, or the Garden of the Remains, an area that houses the archaeological remains of the ancient port of Marseille. Also, admire the pretty fountains of the Longchamps Palace and the older architecture of the Pharo Palace. Do not hesitate to climb up to the unavoidable Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, dating back to the 19th century, perched on the hill and overlooking the Old Port.

A superb view of Marseille awaits you there. The Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean (MUCEM) is located a 10-minute walk from the Old Port. From there, you can access the ramparts of Fort Saint-Jean. Many activities are also available in Marseille: windsurfing, golf, tennis, squash. Nights are lively with many restaurants, bars, and theatres. Also admire the Calanques National Park by boat, kayak, or paddle. 

Marseille : Dive shops