A Guide to Scuba Diving in France

When thinking about going scuba diving in Europe, we imagine France is probably not the first country which comes to mind. France is the perfect dive destination for beginners and advanced divers, shops will be able to organize everything to suit most needs and levels of experience. You can choose to go diving in Southern France in the warmer Mediterranean Sea where there are reef and wreck dives, or in the North of the country you can visit places like the beaches of Normandy and then go diving to see famous wrecks from World War II.

France is a great scuba destination for for beginners and advanced levels, as there are so many different dive sites to visit perfect if you are looking to learn the basics, see coral reefs filled with marine life or if you are feeling adventurous you can go cave diving, or go in search of a historical wreck. One our guide to going diving in France you can see the best places to go including Corscia and the Cote d'Azur, find recommended dive centers and also arrange your package.

 

Best Time of the Year to Go Diving in France

Although you can go scuba diving all year round we recommend going diving during summer, around April to October as this is when the climate and water temperatures are warmest. Southern France generally gets a better climate and diving conditions due to the hot summers and mild winters. The further North you go the colder the water usually is.

 

Best Places to Go Scuba Diving in France

  • Aquitaine
  • Brittany 
  • Charente et Loire
  • South of France
  • Normandy and North

Corsica, is usually peoples number one choice destination for scuba diving in France. Bonifacio located on the southern point of the island is a popular base on the Mediterranean.

Nice is a popular place to stay when diving in the Cote d'Azur. With pebbled beaches, pretty buildings, and lots of culture you will have lots of things to do in your spare time here. All along the French Riviera and the Southern coast of France there are dive shops

 

Best Dive Sites in France

  • Aroca Tiquia
  • Bay of Villefranche 
  • Cap Estel 
  • St. Jean Cap Ferrat 

 

Marine Life

Although France isn't a tropical scuba diving destination, there are so many incredible marine animals you will get to see when diivng here. You can expect to see reefs, corals, gorgonians, sponges, groupers, cuttlefish, scorpion fish, moonfish, barracudas, moray eels, conger eels, octopus, starfish, tube worms, sea urchins, and stingrays.

 

Best Dive Centers in France

There are hundreds of dive resorts in France, all are different and offer unique packages and it really depends what type of experience you are looking for to which dive center you book with. Here are some of the best ones:

  • Diamond Diving in the Cote d'Azur is a popular and reputable dive shop for both beginners and advanced divers. There are English speaking staff and various packages available.

 

Language Requirements

Most dive centers in France have staff who can speak English but we highly recommend you learn some basic words and phrases to enhance your experience. View our guide to studying French language in France.

 

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