Diving Le Tombant de la Rascasse

Site Overview

Le Tombant de la Rascasse is a wall and reef dive site in French Riviera – Côte d’Azur, France, reached from the base town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Le Tombant de la Rascasse is a sheer wall in Villefranche bay dropping from 15 m to beyond 45 m. Anthias, moray eels and red gorgonians cover the wall while barracuda cruise the blue. The site reaches a maximum depth of 45 m with an average profile around 30 m and a shallow start near 15 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 18 to 35 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 Dusky Grouper, Common Barracuda, Red Gorgonian, Mediterranean Moray, Amberjack, Mediterranean Cardinalfish, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. Le Tombant de la Rascasse is a strong representative of why French Riviera – Côte d’Azur 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 French Riviera – Côte d’Azur 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.