Diving Le Chaouen

Site Overview

Le Chaouen is a wreck dive site in Provence & Calanques, France, reached from the base town of Marseille. Le Chaouen is a schooner wreck in 20-40 m off Marseille, its hull draped in soft corals and swarming with conger eels. It is a favourite for wide-angle wreck photography and for advanced divers wanting a manageable depth. The site reaches a maximum depth of 40 m with an average profile around 30 m and a shallow start near 20 m, which places it firmly in the advanced category and means divers should hold at least an Advanced Open Water certification. Conditions are typical of the French coastal coast: visibility generally runs from 12 to 28 metres, the current is moderate, and the water temperature ranges between 14 and 25 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on Conger Eel, Dusky Grouper, Common Barracuda, Common Octopus, Red Gorgonian, Two-banded Seabream, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. Le Chaouen 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.