Diving in Southern France

The South of France, known colloquially as le Midi, runs along the entire French Mediterranean coastline bordering Spain and Italy. Also home to the French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur in French, the charming warm waters of the south is where Cousteau first experimented with his famous Aqua Lung.

With an extensive selection of dive centers (over 200) concentrated in about a dozen coastal cities, as well as outstanding diving conditions during the summer months, a lovely 24C (75 F) and visibility of 30m, The South Of France is a jewel for divers in Western Europe

Along The French Rivera, which extends from Cassis to the France–Italy border, you will find the largest number of dive sites, many of which are located close to the bustling city of Nice. From Le Rubis off the coast of St. Tropez, a sunken submarine home to eagle rays to Phare du Planier, to Le Tombant Des Americains near Nice, a spectacular and dangerous gorge 50m (164ft) down, there is plenty to keep even the pickiest of divers entertained.

Lets not forget, the region is also home some fabulous islands, the famously chic Corsica, and The Riou Archipelago, a group of uninhabited islands off the coast of Marseille; their surrounding waters are inhabited by steep walls, ghostly shipwrecks, and rich sea life, just waiting to be explored.