Diving the Ardeche Gorges

8m Max

5-14m Vis

shore

Site Overview

Ardeche Gorges is a river and macro dive site in Inland France, France, reached from the base town of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. The Ardeche Gorges are famous for canoeing, but the clear pools also offer gentle dives with trout and eels. It is a limited, scenic dive best in calm, low water, with good macro among the limestone. The site reaches a maximum depth of 8 m with an average profile around 5 m and a shallow start near 1 m, which places it firmly in the beginner category and means divers should hold at least an Open Water certification. Conditions are typical of the French inland freshwater coast: visibility generally runs from 5 to 14 metres, the current is moderate, and the water temperature ranges between 11 and 19 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on Brown Trout, European Eel, Common Roach, European Perch, Stone Crayfish, Tench, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. Ardeche Gorges is a strong representative of why Inland France diving is so highly regarded, blending the geology, history and biodiversity that define French underwater exploration. It pairs naturally with the other sites of the Inland France region for a varied holiday, and with the right thermal protection and, where relevant, the correct specialist training, it offers a memorable dive for photographers, naturalists and wreck or reef enthusiasts alike.

Dive Briefing

"Entry is made by a shore entry near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, and divers should check in with a local centre in Vallon-Pont-d’Arc before entering the water. The Ardeche Gorges are famous for canoeing, but the clear pools also offer gentle dives with trout and eels. It is a limited, scenic dive best in calm, low water, with good macro among the limestone. Plan your profile around a maximum depth of 8 m and an average of 5 m, keeping a close eye on gas and, in the deeper or enclosed sections, on the low surge. Buoyancy control matters here: the rock bottom and submerged structures are easily disturbed, and Shallow gorges, Current, Cold water are real considerations throughout the dive. The river and macro topography offers gorge, and the marine life centres on Brown Trout, European Eel, Common Roach, European Perch, Stone Crayfish, Tench alongside the other species listed for the site. Take a moment to review the site-specific hazards with your guide, because conditions at Ardeche Gorges can shift with wind and tide and change the feel of the dive. A safe ascent with a surface marker buoy and a clear exit plan completes the dive, with emergency cover routed through Centre Hyperbare, Hopital de Montelimar."