BEST dive sites

Le Var
BEST dive sites
1
LE P38 LIGHTNING
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer
You will love exploring this WWII wreck,
still in excellent condition! Resting at a
depth of around 38 metres, this magnificent plane, dating back to the Second
World War, was shot down by German
soldiers on January 27th, 1944.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
Baie des Lecques
- Depth:
40 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments: /
2
LES 3 FOURS
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer
A dive overflowing with underwater
fauna! During your dive on this isolated
underwater cliff, you may well come
across dentex fish, grouper fish, barracudas
and ocean sunfish.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
underwater cliff
- Location:
‘‘3 Fours’’ site
- Depth:
23 to 40 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments:
suitable in fine weather or with a moderate easterly wind
3
See our brochure
«Le Var, a Seaside
Destination» for a
non-exhaustive list
of our Mediterranean
seaside leisure activities.
Please ask at the
local Tourist Offices
and diving clubs for
more details on
diving and snorkelling
in Le Var.
LA MERVEILLEUSE
Six-Fours-Les-Plages
Located adjacent to Ile des Embiez island,
this dive wears its name well! Its varied
underwater flora and fauna are a genuine
enchantment.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
shelf and rock slides
- Location:
adjacent to Ile des Embiez
- Depth:
between 25 and 30 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments: /
4
LES DEUX FRÈRES
La La Seyne-sur-Mer
Known as ‘‘Les Deux Frères’’ (‘‘The Two
Brothers’’), these rocks – genuine local
landmarks -rise up out of the water as if by
magic! Many itineraries are available starting
out from the dive pool. The succession of
rock slides and holes leading to the shelf
provides shelter for moray and conger eels.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
shelf
- Location:
offshore of Cape Sicié
- Depth:
7 to 34 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
all levels
- Comments:
do not under any circumstances attempt this dive in case of
easterly winds. Passage accessible between ‘‘Les Deux Frères’’ in case of calm seas only.
Agence de Développement Touristique - VAR TOURISME
1 Boulevard de Strasbourg • BP 5147
83093 Toulon CEDEX
Tel. +33(0)494185960 • Fax +33(0)494185961
email: [email protected]
mobile.visitvar.fr - www.visitvar.fr
Discovering the Med!
Le Var’s highly varied underwater relief harbours a
multitude of underwater cliffs, shelves, caverns and
wrecks, situated at a variety of depths. The local
diving clubs operate from April to November,
offering visitors a chance to enjoy some of the
world’s most remarkable diving experiences. This
map shows around a hundred of Le Var’s impressive
300 diving sites. You can find details on our
professional diving centres at www.visitvar.fr. All
offer a warm welcome and totally safe lessons for all
levels, with activities including:
• Snorkelling trails.
• Maiden dives.
• Diving courses for all levels.
• Exploratory dives.
• Technical dives.
5L a
L’ARROYO
La Seyne-sur-Mer
The Arroyo shipwreck lies at a depth of 36
metres off the coast of Seyne-sur-Mer. Built
in 1921, this tanker was sunk on August 18th,
1953 so that it could be used as a training site
for French naval frogmen. It now provides a
magnificent level 2 dive!
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
to the East of ‘‘Les Deux Frères’’ rocks, 100 metres from the shore
- Depth:
bow and stern at 36 metres, deck at 27 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments:
this site is very exposed to winds (Mistral and easterly wind)
and currents
LE TROMBLON
La Seyne-sur-Mer
6
The Tromblon was a propeller-driven
cannon longboat, first launched in Toulon
in 1875. Its only act of war was its
participation in the Tunisia campaign in
July and August 1881.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
around 1 km to the South of Saint-Elme (Les Sablettes harbour)
- Depth:
between 24 and 27 metres
- Difficulty:
easy
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments: /
7
LE MUSTANG P51
Hyères
The story of this wreck is told in the Bruce
Willis film ‘‘Hart’s War’’! This fighter plane
made its first appearance in Europe in 1943,
when it was assigned to escort B-17 and B-24
bombers attacking Germany. By 1945, no less
than 4,950 enemy aircraft had been shot
down in mid-flight by the Mustang P-51
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
between Les Fourmigues and Giens peninsula
- Depth:
between 54 and 56 metres
- Difficulty:
difficult
- Required level:
level 3 and upwards
- Comments: /
8
LA POINTE ESCAMPOBARIOU
Hyères
‘‘Escampobariou’’ literally means ‘‘escaping
barrels’’ in Provencal dialect! True enough,
this cape is already fairly choppy in fine
weather and can be extremely dangerous
during high winds, promising a rough ride
for ships and their cargo!
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
shelf, chimney, rock slide
- Location:
La Madrague, Giens peninsula
- Depth:
18 to 35 metres
- Difficulty:
easy
- Required level:
level 1 and upwards
- Comments:
currents are very strong on days after the Mistral wind.
Do not attempt to cross the cape!
9
LE MICHEL C
Hyères
‘‘Le Correo de Cette’’, which was
the original name of the ‘‘Michel C’’,
was built in 1866 by the Renfrew
shipyard in Belfast. On the night of
November 26th, 1899, this cargo
ship sank during a voyage to Cannes
in foggy weather.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
around 500 m to the South-East of the lighthouse on Ile
du Grand Ribaud island
- Depth:
32 to 39 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments:
beware of strong currents and rapidly-increasing depths
towards the West
10
LE VILLE DE GRASSE
Hyères
The wreck is said to harbour a treasure
of 1,750 Louis d’Or gold coins! This
cargo steamship belonged to the
Grasse-Cannes shipping line and sailed
between Marseille, Cannes and Nice.
Its short, 3-year career ended on the
night of December 16th, 1851.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
around 600 m to the South-West of the Grand Ribaud lighthouse
- Depth:
between 44 and 50 metres
- Difficulty:
difficult
- Required level:
level 3 and upwards
- Comments:
watch out for currents
11
LE DONATOR
(or PROSPER SCHIAFFINO)
Hyères
The Var’s most legendary wreck! Built in
Norway in 1931, this cargo boat was christened ‘‘Donator’’. It was sold in 1933 and again
in 1939, when it was bought up by the Schiaffino shipping line, transformed into a wine
carrier and renamed ‘‘Prosper Schiaffino’’.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck.
- Location:
between Porquerolles island and Port-Cros island
- Depth:
between 35 metres (deck) and 52 metres (propeller).
- Difficulty:
difficult
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments:
strong currents
12
LE GREC
Hyères
One of the Var coast’s mythical wrecks,
this little cargo ship was built in Scotland
in 1912 and passed through several hands
before it finally flew the Panama flag.
One day, while sailing with a heavy cargo
of wine during a strong Mistral wind, it
collided with a surface mine and blew up.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
southern coast of Porquerolles island
- Depth:
between 35 and 47 metres.
- Difficulty:
difficult
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments:
strong currents
13
LE CIMENTIER
Hyères
Suitable for level 1 divers! The sinking
of Le Cimentier still remains a mystery.
It is generally admitted that the ship
was deliberately sunk by the German
army during WWII in order to ‘‘break’’
the wave that formed between the
north-western tip of Porquerolles island and Petit Langoustier island in
case of strong Mistral winds.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
between Porquerolles island and Petit Langoustier
island, near the Jaume-Garde turret
- Depth:
between 3 and 15 metres
- Difficulty:
easy
- Required level:
level 1 and upwards
- Comments: /
LA GABINIÈRE
Hyères
Set inside the Port-Cros National Park,
this stunning sanctuary for Mediterranean
flora and fauna is a genuine paradise for
divers! You can tour the island, stay on
the eastern shelf, or explore the rock
slides… Whatever your preference, you’ll
have the impression you’re swimming in
an aquarium!
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
shelf, rock slide, Posidonia meadows
- Location:
small island to the South-East of Port-Cros island
- Depth:
0 to 50 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 1 and upwards
- Comments:
virtually-constant currents; this site is highly exposed
to the easterly wind
19
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
to the West of Pointe Dubreuil in the Bay of Cavalaire
- Depth:
between 45 and 61 metres
- Difficulty:
difficult
- Required level:
level 3 and upwards
- Comments:
inaccessible when the Mistral wind is blowing
20
14
15L E
LE SPAHIS
Le Lavandou
A dive onto a steamboat! Le Spahis
was used to transport passengers from
Bastia to Nice. On its way back from
Marseille on the night of October 9th,
1887, it collided with La Fourmigue
island in Le Lavandou and sank.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
La Fourmigue island
- Depth:
24 metres
- Difficulty:
easy
- Required level:
level 1 and upwards
- Comments: /
LE
16L e
LE HELLCAT
Lavandou
This magnificently-preserved fighter
aircraft dates back to Word War Two!
The Hellcat was built by the American
firm Grumman.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
South-East of Cape Nègre
- Depth:
between 55 and 57 metres
- Difficulty:
difficult
- Required level:
level 3 and upwards
- Comments: /
LA GRANDE QUAIROLLE
Cavalaire-sur-Mer
Exceptional underwater flora and fauna!
The tip of this rock lies 18 metres under
the surface.Take time to explore the large
fault crossing its entire surface, home to
conger eels, moray eels and grouper fish.
The sandy bed at the foot of the rock is at
a depth of 35 metres.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
shelves, faults, rock slides, Posidonia meadows
- Location:
Cavalaire-sur-Mer
- Depth:
between 18 and 35 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments:
the site is exposed to all winds; occasional currents
18
LE PROPHÈTE
Cavalaire-sur-Mer
This wreck lies to the South-East of
Cape Lardier. Built in 1853 in Sète by
the Reynaud & Cie boatyard, using
traditional techniques, it sank in late
March 1860 due to a leak. The cargo
of wheat it was carrying at the time
was lost...
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
South-East of Cape Lardier
- Depth:
34 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments: /
LE TORPILLEUR 178
Cavalaire-sur-Mer
This luminous wreck is a haven for
underwater photography lovers! The
Torpilleur 178 was a torpedo boat that
played a major role in the First World
War.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
Bay of Cavalaire
- Difficulty:
difficult
- Required level:
level 3 and upwards
- Comments: /
21
LE TRAFIK
Cavalaire-sur-Mer
A strange disappearance! The Trafik is a
small cargo boat, probably of Norwegian
origin, fitted with sails and a steam
engine. The circumstances in which it
sank remain a genuine mystery.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
sailboat wreck
- Location:
Taillat
- Depth:
56 metres
- Difficulty:
difficult
- Required level:
level 3 and upwards
- Comments:
highly-technical dive due to strong currents
22
L’ESPINGOLE
Cavalaire-sur-Mer
Lying in the Bay of Cavalaire, near the
Togo wreck, the Espingole is a destroyer
dating back to 1900.Although mostly hidden, its 47 and 65 mm shells still remain
on board. A few specimens are buried in
the sand under the bow. But beware! The
shells have never been neutralized…
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
around 400 metres from Cape Andreti in the Bay of Cavalaire
- Depth:
between 34 and 39 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments:
you can penetrate the various sections of the wreck
easily and without risk
23
17
LE TOGO
Cavalaire-sur-Mer
The remains of this 76-metre steel cargo
ship, launched in 1882, now offer a fabulous
diving experience! A forerunner of our
modern ships, it was of innovative design,
incorporating five watertight bulkheads
and a double hull. Fitted with 3 masts, it
could operate on wind or engine power.
LE RUBIS
Ramatuelle
The Rubis is one of the only ‘‘diveable’’
submarines in the Mediterranean and
ranked among the world’s top 100
dives!
LA
25
LA ROCHE ROUSSO
Saint-Tropez
One of the Mediterranean’s most
beautiful and well-preserved dives!
Offshore of Pampelonne beach
lies a magnificent shelf, where very
pretty rocks emerge from the water.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
shelf
- Location:
facing Pampelonne beach
- Depth:
between 20 and 55 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments: /
26L E
LE RELAX
Saint-Tropez
A wreck alive with flora and fauna!
This boat was immersed voluntarily
in the Eighties opposite Baie des
Canoubiers.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
Baie des Canoubiers
- Depth:
35 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments: /
27
LE VILLAGE
Saint-Raphaël
An underwater village! Moor your boat
in the creek, then set off seawards to tour
the island.This dive abounds with all types
of subsea flora and fauna.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
underwater village
- Location:
offshore of Saint-Raphaël
- Depth:
24 metres
- Difficulty:
easy
- Required level:
level 1 and upwards
- Comments: /
28
LES SARDINAUX
Les Issambres
An ideal dive for beginners and divers
keen to explore the sea beds of the
Bay of Saint-Tropez.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
shelf
- Location:
Bay of Saint-Tropez
- Depth:
between 3 and 40 metres
- Difficulty:
easy
- Required level:
level 1 and upwards
- Comments: /
The diving levels (levels 1, 2 and 3) mentioned in this document are in
accordance with the French Sports Code. Overseas divers are invited to
contact local diving clubs for information on equivalent qualifications.
We kindly invite our readers to excuse us for any errors or omissions that
may be contained in this document despite the efforts of the editing team.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
wreck
- Location:
to the South of Cape Camarat
- Depth:
between 34 and 40 metres
- Difficulty:
difficult
- Required level:
level 2 and upwards
- Comments:
this dive is highly exposed to winds. Currents are
frequent and sometimes very strong
24
LA CATHÉDRALE
Saint-Tropez
A paradise of gorgonians and red
coral! This immense rock in the shape
of a cathedral (hence its name) features
a large fault adorned with superb yellow
anemone, guarded by a grouper fish.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Dive type:
rock
- Location:
200 m to the East of L’Arche
- Depth:
between 11 and 60 metres
- Difficulty:
average
- Required level:
level 1 and upwards
- Comments: /
Free map - cannot be sold
Réf. ADT Var Tourisme
Photos: NICOLAS BARRAQUE - DOMINIQUE BARAY
JEAN LOUIS LOEUILLARD - TERENCE DEWAELE
PHILIPPE JOACHIM - ALEXANDRE FOX
PATRICK BELLANTONIO - GILLES DI RAIMANDO
JOSÉ GANDOLFO - VOITURIER - JEAN POMARET - LCI
Designed by www.lencrenoire.com
2
D257
2
57
Carcès
D91
Lac de
l'Aréna
D37
D73
D3
5
Vidauban
DN
A8
Latecoere 298
Zone du Lion de Mer
7
D7
DN
7
Le Luc
D7
4
Plan-de-la-Tour
Pignans
Carnoules
D7
La Garde-Freinet
Gonfaron
Rocbaron
5
Sainte-Maxime
5
Zone de
la Rabiou
4
D55
Grimaud
Puget-Ville
Méounes- les-Montrieux
1A
58
A57
2
Le Relax
D6
D1
Port
Grimaud
D61
D14
D6
0
D89
D21
4
DN
8
2
La Crau
7
D2
D559B
D559A
D5
59
Carqueiranne
6
D18
Port de
St-Mandrier
Sablettes
St Mandrier
Port St-Elme
La Sèche
de Saint Elme
Saint-Mandriersur-Mer
6Le
Tromblon
Le B26
Marauder
L'Arroyo
Le Super
Mystère B2
4
Port des
Sablettes
Corse
Îles d'Hyères
Port St-Pierre
7
Le P1 Mustang
9
10
Le Ville
de Grasse
13
2
Nautical miles
4
Le Spahis
Le Wildcat
22
21
Le Prophète
18
Îles d’Hyères
Légende :
0-20 m diving area
15
Îles d’Hyères
20-40m diving area
St-Tropez
La Croix-Valmer
40m+ diving area
Îles d’Hyères
Boat wreck
Port Cros - Porquerolles
Plane wreck
Le Marcel
Le Cap des Mèdes
Zone de
Bagaud
La Barge
aux Congres
Les Secs
de la Petite Passe
Le Grec
11
Le Donator
12
La Sèche
des Sarraniers
La Gabinière
14
Boat shuttle service
Port du Levant
Port de Port-Cros
Port de Porquerolles
Le Cimentier
1
L'Espingole
L'Enfer
de Taillat
Dive departure port
Port du Niel
Port de la
Tour Fondue
8
Le Michel C
0
16
19
23
Le Ferrando
Port de
La Madrague
Escampobariou
et Ouest Giens
Me d
Le Dattier
Le Togo
Le Rubis
La Poursuivante
Port Cros - Le Levant
Les Roches
des Fourmigues
5
Le Tombant des 2 Frères
Le Glenn Martin
59
17
Le Calanque
9
55
Le HellCat
Port du
Lavandou
Port Miramar
Port Porthuau
Port du Gapeau
D197
Le Dornier 24
Le Mona
D5
Le Lavandou
Membru
Le Tell
Port de la Favière
La Garde
Le Pradet
Sainte-Marguerite
59
25
D42
D1
3
D642
La Seyne-sur-Mer
Port de Six-Fours
Six-FoursPort des Embiez
Les Roches des Embiez
les-Plages
Calanques de Cassis
9
59
Hyères
D5
D
La Londe- les-Maures
2
97
La Pointe
dela Cride
D5
D276A
D1
D1
Les Embiez
Porquerolles
D559
A50
Port de
Toulon
D55
6
Calanques de Cassis
A50
D2
Bendor
La Valette- du-Var
6
A570
TOULON
Port de Bandol
Sanary- sur-Mer
Les Trois Fours
L'île Rousse
La Farlède
Ollioules
Bandol
La Sèche d'Alon
Bormes-les-Mimosas
D4
LE P38 Lightning
Calanques
de Cassis
62
D9
26
2
D8
7
Évenos
D8
66
Port des Lecques
1
D20
Lac du
Revest
RayolCanadel-sur-Mer
D12
D2
Solliès-Ville
Le Revest-les-Eaux
Port de Cavalaire
Cavalaire20 Torpilleur
sur-Mer
Le Ramon
178
54
Solliès-Pont
Roche Rousso
La Croix-Valmer
D27
D98
Le Beausset
3
Ramatuelle
La Mole
A57
D5
La Cathedrale
24
du Rabiou
26
Gassin
1
12
8
D8
Solliès-Toucas
Issambres - St Raphaël - Antibes
Cannes - Nice - îles de Lerins
4
D87
D4
D4
D1
Pierrefeu-du-Var
Cuers
Cogolin
D39
Îles d’Hyères
Port de
Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez
D9
1
D4
Belgentier
DN8
Barrage de
la Verne
Collobrières
D43
6
Le Cimentier
des sardinaux
Les Mayons
D5
Riboux
Îles d’Hyères
Zone de la pointe des Sardinaux
D74
Forcalqueiret
Néoules
28
4
A57
D7
D39
Lac des
Escarcets
D7
Garéoult
2
9
80
Besse-surBesse-su
r Issole
rBesse-sur-Issole
D55
D2
Sainte-Anastasie-Issole
sur-Issole
Plan-d’Aups-Sainte-Baume
D559
Zone du Dramont
2
Flassans- sur-Issole
Lac de
Besse
La Cadière- d’Azur
27
Le Cannet- des-Maures
D33
Camps-la
la Source
La Roquebrussanne
Saint-Cyr- sur-Mer
Le Village
Calanques de l’Estérel
îles de Lerins
Cannes
DN7
D13
Brignoles
La Celle
D82
Zone de
l'île d'Or
Libérator
A8
Mazaugues
To Marseille
BYMS22
4
4
Péniches d'Anthéor
D8
D34
D64
A8
D8
Saint-Raphaël
Port Santa-Lucia
Port
Fréjus
A8
Cabasse
Nans-les-Pins
Le Castellet
D100
Fréjus
Roquebrune-sur-Argens
4
D7
D2
Puget- sur-Argens
5
7
DN
Taradeau
D8
D2
Le Thoronet
Lac de
Carcès
sur-Caramy
rr-Caramy
D2
Rougiers
Signes
A8
D7
Les Arcs- sur-Argens
D2224
ourves
BOUCHES-DU-RHÔNE
Le Muy
DN7
D28
DN7
54
7
la-Sainte-Baume
D
DN7
47
D57
D2
2
Le V
To Nice
La Motte
by
0
Rome
Saint-Maximin-
Saint-Zacharie
Saint-Antonin-du-Var
Correns
D2
Madrid
Lorgues
D50
D1
To
Aix-enProvence
rtu
D47
Bras
A8
Na
7
Entrecasteaux
Châteauvert
d’Argens
Trans-en-Provence
D1
23
Pourcieux
Cotignac
r-Argens
r-Argens
Montfort- sur-Argens
Lo
DN7
5
D4
Ollières
hague
Copen
ndres
Dublin
DN7
Sto
D3
Oslo
ki
Helsin
lm
o
h
Seillons-Sourceck
D59
D5
D5
D13
D2
D3
D23
Pourrières
Flayosc
Le Var
BEST dive sites
Brue-Auriac
DN7
Les Adrets-de-l’Estérel
1
Remarkable diving area
(see over for details)
TGV
railway station
Interchange
Highway
Airport
ite rran e a n S e a
2014 edition