Diving La Ciotat Île Verte

Site Overview

La Ciotat (Île Verte) is a wall and reef dive site in Provence & Calanques, France, reached from the base town of La Ciotat. La Ciotat’s Île Verte is a limestone wall and reef dropping from 8 m to 28 m, rich in groupers and gorgonians. It is an easy, sheltered dive close to the Calanques, good for all levels. The site reaches a maximum depth of 28 m with an average profile around 18 m and a shallow start near 8 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 15 to 32 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. La Ciotat (Île Verte) 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.