9 superb underwater trails in the Sud region | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Tourism

In Provence

La Côte Bleue underwater trail in Carry-le-Rouet

Treasures of marine wildlife

Just a few minutes by train from Marseille, the Côte Bleue’s ultra-protected coastline is a real paradise with its underwater treasures. An exceptional biodiversity thrives on the shallow coastal seabed of the Côte Bleue Marine Park – a protected marine area: Brown grouper, Posidonia seagrass, and Red coral… to discover it responsibly, every summer in July and August, La Côte Bleue Marine Park organises underwater hikes from the Rousset beach in a rocky bay in Carry-le-Rouet, supervised by a Park facilitator. A simple and magical experience which reminds us of the importance of taking care of the coast and marine environments.

Info: prior booking. Free of charge. All members of the public (from age 8)

A boy snorkels on the Côte Bleue — ©Snorkelling on the Côte Bleue near Marseille, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department|FLaunette

Frioul beach — ©The Frioul archipelago, off Marseille, in the Calanques National Park in the Bouches-du-Rhône department|ASalor

The Saint-Estève underwater trail on L’île du Frioul

A first discovery on the occasion of a family swim

Opposite Marseille, the Frioul archipelago which was once the quarantine area in the Calanques National Park, has a series of wild limestone creeks. But L’île de Ratonneau also has a sandy beach which is easily accessed from Saint-Estève, a favourite for families as soon as the weather gets warmer. Its underwater trail, which is at a depth of under 5 metres, invites swimmers to an introduction to the diversity of species in complete safety: the area, which prohibits boats, is exclusively reserved for swimming. The itinerary is marked by 5 buoys with information panels. Put on your goggles between two sandcastles and you might get the chance to see brown groupers and long-snouted seahorses.

Info: free access. From 1st July to 30th September

Les Catalans underwater trail and the subaquatic museum in Marseille

The pleasure of a snorkelling session right in the heart of the town

Wander along Corniche Kennedy, have a coffee on a terrace, and then jump in the water from the Plage des Catalans, which is easily accessed on foot or by bus from the town centre. Probably one of the most magical aspects of Marseille. Just opposite the beach, Les Catalans underwater trail offers a 200-metre guided tour of the underwater wildlife. Its big semi-submerged buoys have handles so that you can really enjoy the show. And right next to the trail at a depth of 5 metres, there’s a surprise: the submerged sculptures of the Musée Subaquatique de Marseille. Swimming round a museum – another of the Sud’s magical experiences.

Info: free access all year round from Plage des Catalans (but equipped with buoys in the summer season, from 1st June to 30th September).

The Catalans beach at sunset — ©The Catalans beach in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône|CGensollen

Amphoras from the Tour Fondue underwater trail — ©The Tour Fondue underwater trail in Hyères, in the Port-Cros and Porquerolles National Park|MVeyrat

La Tour Fondue underwater trail in Hyères

Swim through water and history

The seabed sometimes bears witness to the history of the people who lived on the banks of the Mediterranean which has always been an area of commercial exchange. Near the marked La Tour Fondue underwater trail, in a place with easy access, archaeologists have rebuilt a Roman wreck with a load of amphora 6 metres under. Swim here and you’ll fully feel the emotion of an underwater archaeological discovery! Learn about the wildlife in the unspoiled coastal area from the information panels dotted along the itinerary which runs along near the lush green Pointe du Bouvet opposite the little Plage de la Tour Fondue beach.

Info: free or supervised access (nearest diving structure: L’Espace Mer at La Tour Fondue de Giens. Supervision ensured by an archaeologist and a freediving instructor). Possibility of a grouped ticket with the Fort du Pradeau.

La Palud-Port-Cros underwater trail in Hyères

Each depth is a trip

Dreamed up in six stages – embodied by 6 buoys with submerged explanatory panels, the underwater trail of La Palud-Port-Cros takes you on a discovery of marine environments, in a protected marine area. The itinerary gets off to a gentle start at the edge of the beach. As you go along, submarine wealth is revealed: 2 metres down, Posidonia seagrass, where the sea urchins hide. And where you can see many fish: damselfish, green wrasse, seabream, salema porgy, etc. Further on, you’ll meet species which like dark cracks – anemones and sponges. And then those who live in the lighter rocky shallow water: rainbow wrasse, scorpion fish or starfish. Last but not least, you’ll explore the deeper scree, and see grouper, moray eels and octopuses. A concentrate of the Mediterranean just a flipper-stroke from the beach.

Info: free access. Immersible leaflet on sale at the Maison du Parc.

©The underwater trail at La Palud-Port-Cros, in the Var department|MGasquy

Argentière beach and blue skies — ©The Argentière beach at La-Londe-les-Maures, in the Var department|SLe Pelley

Le Jardin des Mattes underwater trail in La Londe-les-Maures

Contemplate Posidonia seagrass, the jewel of the sea

You can get there from the side of the vast fine sandy beach of L’Argentière. Numbered buoys with handrails and submerged panels guide swimmers through widely diverse underwater landscapes: Cymodocea meadows, rocks, sand or scree. There are many species of shellfish, crustaceans and starfish… And the so precious Posidonia seagrass, which lines the coastal seabed. The marine flowering plant, the « lung » of the Mediterranean has been protected since 1988. Its roots mix with the sediments and form a sort of barrier – the matte – which plays a crucial role in fixing the sandy seabed. Watch it slowly dancing to the rhythm of the current, in the silent and soothing atmosphere of these preserved depths.

Info: free access from June to September. Guided tours (private and groups) by request. Aquaguide for identifying the species available at the Tourist Office.

On the Côte d'Azur

La Pointe de l’Aiguille underwater trail in Théoule-sur-Mer

See an unimagined world hidden in the rocks

In the Estérel Théoule Departmental Maritime Park, with its mosaic of habitats which lend themselves to a wide diversity, the underwater discovery trail of La Pointe de l’Aiguille unfolds in 4 stages. Here, in rocky shallow water, a chaos of blocks covered in multicoloured seaweed makes up a habitat full of hiding places. You can see little crustaceans nestling there and gobies and wrasse waiting to pounce. The vertical walls are inhabited by sponges and yellow anemones which capture the plankton with their tentacles. A fascinating ecosystem.

Info: free access. Trail equipped with submerged buoys from mid-June to mid-September. Immersible leaflets available at the Tourist Office.

Pointe de l'aiguille and the sea in the background — ©The Pointe de l'Aiguille at Théoule-sur-Mer, in the Alpes-Maritimes department|SLePelley

Diver and statues at the Cannes underwater ecomuseum — ©The underwater eco-museum on Sainte-Marguerite Island, off Cannes, in the Alpes-Maritimes department|DR

The underwater ecomuseum of L’île Sainte-Marguerite in Cannes

An arty exploration of the coastal seabed

Opposite the south bank of L’île Sainte-Marguerite, in a ringfenced area, a unique and unusual underwater experience awaits you. At a depth between 3 and 5 metres, you will discover 6 submerged 2-metre high stone statues. The works of sculptor Jason Decaires Taylor have become surprising shelters for algae, shells, corals and fish, adding to biodiversity. And an invitation to reflect on the essential question of protecting the Mediterranean.

Info: free access

The Posidonia underwater hike in Antibes

A wonder for all the family

Devoted to the discovery of the seabed and its protection, Posidonia, l’Espace Mer & Littoral in Antibes, offers a museum itinerary with virtual and digital immersion. Go from theory to practice and admire the wealth of the waters of the Mediterranean with your own eyes – Posidonia organises flippers-and-snorkel subaquatic hikes in the shallow depths chosen for their rich wildlife. With the family and a qualified guide, you’ll learn how to observe them, being as discreet as possible in order not to frighten the fish.

Info: paying. L’Espace Mer & Littoral d’Antibes is open from Tuesday to Sunday April to October. Closed on Sundays the other months.

Other marine trails to be explored with a guide-facilitator with the necessary equipment supplied are proposed in summer: in the Port d’Alon Calanque in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer or at the Domaine du Rayol in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer.