Diving Les Roselières
Site Overview
Les Roselières is a meadow and reef dive site in Provence & Calanques, France, reached from the base town of Île des Embiez. Les Roselières is a very shallow Posidonia meadow off the Île des Embiez, ideal for training and first dives. Seabream, octopus and cuttlefish live among the rocks and the edge of the seagrass. The site reaches a maximum depth of 18 m with an average profile around 10 m and a shallow start near 3 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 coastal coast: visibility generally runs from 12 to 28 metres, the current is mild, and the water temperature ranges between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius with low surge exposure. The marine community is centred on Two-banded Seabream, Mediterranean Moray, Common Octopus, Common Cuttlefish, Mediterranean Cardinalfish, Common Barracuda, and the full species list is detailed below for divers planning a trip. Les Roselières 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.
Dive Briefing
"Entry is made by boat from Île des Embiez with a transfer of about 12 minutes, and divers should check in with a local centre in Île des Embiez before entering the water. Les Roselières is a very shallow Posidonia meadow off the Île des Embiez, ideal for training and first dives. Seabream, octopus and cuttlefish live among the rocks and the edge of the seagrass. Plan your profile around a maximum depth of 18 m and an average of 10 m, keeping a close eye on gas and, in the deeper or enclosed sections, on the low surge. Buoyancy control matters here: the posidonia and sand bottom and submerged structures are easily disturbed, and Very shallow profile, Boat traffic, Light current are real considerations throughout the dive. The meadow and reef topography offers meadow, reef, and the marine life centres on Two-banded Seabream, Mediterranean Moray, Common Octopus, Common Cuttlefish, Mediterranean Cardinalfish, Common Barracuda alongside the other species listed for the site. Take a moment to review the site-specific hazards with your guide, because conditions at Les Roselières 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, Hôpital de la Conception, Marseille."
Signature Marine Life
Two-banded Seabream
Diplodus vulgaris
Best: May, June, July
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: May, June, July
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Best: May, June, July
Common Cuttlefish
Sepia officinalis
Best: May, June, July
Mediterranean Cardinalfish
Apogon imberbis
Best: May, June, July
Common Barracuda
Sphyraena sphyraena
Best: May, June, July
Safety & Hazards
- Very shallow profile
- Boat traffic
- Light current
- Posidonia to avoid kicking
- Surface chop
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Les Roselières suits beginner divers holding at least an Open Water certification, and it is a strong choice for those who enjoy the French coastal water of the French coast. Photographers, training groups and divers chasing meadow, reef, beginner, training, macro will all find something here, provided they respect the temperature, the marine park rules and the limits of each site. It is less suitable for absolute novices unless booked through a centre running a supervised course, and the deepest or most enclosed sections should only be attempted with the correct specialist training and a guide. Planning a dive here with a licensed French operator not only keeps you safe but also helps protect the fragile gorgonian forests, seagrass meadows, wrecks and reefs that make the site special for the next visitor.
For Non-Divers
Embiez island trails; Le Brusc port
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Marseille Plongée
- Calanques Subaquatique
- Club de Plongée Cassis
- Toulon Plongée Centre
Photography Info
Best for: macro
Nearby Stay
Hôtel La Résidence du Vieux-Port
Marseille • 8km away
Hôtel Les Bords de Mer
Marseille • 10km away