Diving the Frioul Walls

Site Overview

Îles du Frioul Walls is a wall and reef dive site in Provence & Calanques, France, reached from the base town of Marseille. The Frioul islands off Marseille offer a chain of limestone walls dropping to 35 m, rich in groupers and gorgonians. They are an easy boat ride from the port and a varied alternative to the wrecks. The site reaches a maximum depth of 35 m with an average profile around 22 m and a shallow start near 10 m, which places it firmly in the intermediate category and means divers should hold at least an Open Water certification. Conditions are typical of the French coastal coast: visibility generally runs from 12 to 30 metres, the current is mild, and the water temperature ranges between 14 and 25 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on Dusky Grouper, Common Barracuda, Mediterranean Moray, Two-banded Seabream, Common Octopus, Red Gorgonian, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. Îles du Frioul Walls is a strong representative of why Provence & Calanques 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 Provence & Calanques 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.