Explore the Côte Vermeille

Diving in Côte Vermeille combines Mediterranean clarity with dramatic scenery where the Pyrenees meet the sea. Rocky reefs, steep walls and small caves dominate the underwater landscape, while boat and shore dives are both common and easily accessible from towns like Banyuls and Cerbère. Several interesting wrecks add variety for more advanced divers. The Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve is one of France’s oldest protected areas, and fish life is notably abundant. Divers regularly encounter groupers, barracudas, moray eels and colorful nudibranchs, with good visibility often enhanced by regional winds. The mix of protected ecosystems and rugged coastal topography gives the area a distinctive, characterful feel.

Upcoming Events

    • Open Water Diver

    Open Water Diver

    Includes :7 sea training divesFull equipment rental (wetsuit included)The SSI digital training kitInternational certificationAt CAP Port-Vendres, we give priority to :Individualized supportA friendly, professional atmosphereWhy choose CAP Port-Vendres?Preserved dive sites on the Côte VermeilleRecognized and demanding teaching methodsA serious, friendly diving school accessible to allBecause we're all CAP diving!

    C.A.P. Port-Vendres, anse Gerbal, 66660, Port-Vendres, FRA
    June 15, 2026 +31 More
    $733.51
    €635.00
    Open Water Diver

    Open Water Diver

    The offer includes four day trips aboard our 100% electric catamaran e-Sperança (50m2 shaded deck, wc, shower). Training includes SSI kit, 8 training sessions (max. 2 divers per instructor), certification and all the diving equipment you need.Lunch is also included, prepared a la plancha by the crew!Training can take place on an ongoing basis or in instalments - please contact us!

    LE PARADIS DES BULLES, Simon Le Paradis Des Bulles, 29 Quai Fanal, 66660, Port-Vendres, FRA
    June 15, 2026 +39 More
    $750.84
    €650.00
    Basic Diver

    Basic Diver

    The offer includes a day trip aboard our 100% electric catamaran e-Sperança (50m2 shaded deck, wc, shower). The training includes the SSI kit, two training dives (max. 2 divers per instructor), certification and the diving equipment you need.Lunch is also included, prepared a la plancha by the crew!

    LE PARADIS DES BULLES, Simon Le Paradis Des Bulles, 29 Quai Fanal, 66660, Port-Vendres, FRA
    June 13, 2026 +140 More
    $254.13
    €220.00
    Try Scuba

    Try Scuba

    The offer includes a day trip aboard our 100% electric catamaran e-Sperança (50m2 shaded deck, wc, shower). The day includes a guided snorkeling trip supervised by an instructor, and a diving baptism (30min in the water alone with the instructor).You'll leave with a USB key containing videos of the dive.Lunch included, prepared a la plancha by the crew!

    LE PARADIS DES BULLES, Simon Le Paradis Des Bulles, 29 Quai Fanal, 66660, Port-Vendres, FRA
    June 13, 2026 +140 More
    $207.92
    €180.00
    Find Courses & Events

    Dive Activity

    Diving in the Côte Vermeille

    Côte Vermeille’s top sites cluster around the Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve, where accessible shore dives reveal rocky reefs, small caves and dense fish life. House reefs near Banyuls and Cerbère are popular for relaxed exploration and night dives, when octopus and moray eels become more active.

    Several local wrecks and deeper rocky drop-offs are reached by boat, adding variety for advanced divers. While liveaboards are uncommon, the easy balance of shore and day-boat diving makes the region flexible and rewarding.

    Dive Centers

    LE PARADIS DES BULLES, Simon Le Paradis Des Bulles

    LE PARADIS DES BULLES, Simon Le Paradis Des Bulles

    29 Quai Fanal, 66660 Port-Vendres, France
    ALOES PLONGEE

    ALOES PLONGEE

    RESIDENCE LES ALOES, 66290 CERBERE, France
    C.A.P. Port-Vendres

    C.A.P. Port-Vendres

    anse Gerbal, 66660 Port-Vendres, France

    Dive Sites

    Magellan, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Cap Gros <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Cap Gros (★4.4)

    Cap Gros offers a variety of dives. From two to thirty metres, passing through posidonia, rocks with drop-offs, to finish on the corralligenous...
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Cap l’Abeille <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Cap l’Abeille (★4.4)

    Located south of Banyuls, Cap La Vieille owes its name to the shape of the rock, reminiscent of an old woman's head. The name was later changed to Cap l'Abeille. Thanks to its many buoys, you can dive several times on this site, following different routes.
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Les 3 moines <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Les 3 moines (★4.4)

    Located in the Banyuls-Cerbère marine reserve. Created in 1974 and managed by the Conseil Général des Pyrénées-Orientales, the Banyuls-Cerbère National Nature Reserve has halted the destruction of the coastline by tourism, pollution and fishing.
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Le Dôme <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Le Dôme (★4.4)

    Spend some time on the Dome at the end of the dive to observe the Bécunes.
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Le jardin aux gorgones <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.9)</span>

    Le jardin aux gorgones (★3.9)

    At a maximum depth of 36 meters and a minimum depth of 26 meters, you'll discover numerous purple gorgonians. This site requires a minimum PE40 or Deep Diving level.
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    La Moulade <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    La Moulade (★4.4)

    At the foot of the Commandos training center in Collioure, the relief is very pronounced. Faults, overhangs, cavities and rocky outcrops generate currents that encourage fish of all sizes to congregate.
    ALOES PLONGEE, 66290 CERBERE
    Anse de Terrimbo <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Anse de Terrimbo (★4.5)

    Between 6 and 14m deep, the part towards the beach is made up of Posidonia meadows and large rocks between 6 and 10m deep, the northern part parallel to the cliff is made up of coralligenous 14m deep.
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Les Tinyes <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Les Tinyes (★4.4)

    The Tinyes, to the south, are three rock heads protruding from the water, forming a cove. You'll dive around them. Depths range up to 20m, and schools of sars and dorados are very common.
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Merouville <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Merouville (★4.3)

    Numerous rocks and coral reefs between 16 and 30 metres below the surface, whether you're heading north or south, you won't be disappointed!
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Sec de valenti <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Sec de valenti (★4.3)

    Also known as La Llose, it lies just behind Cap Béar, off the coast of the Bay of Paulilles, where you can discover a varied landscape of boulders, faults, overhangs and caves. If you're looking for lobster hotels, this is the place!
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Les contrebandiers <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Les contrebandiers (★4.4)

    Just a ten-minute sail from Argelès-sur-Mer, "Les grottes des contrebandiers" lie at the foot of the mythical Cap Béar lighthouse. This dive is accessible to all levels. The site's topography is made up of rocks and large coralligenous canyons.
    SSI Service Center France, 38320 Eybens Cedex
    Cap Béar <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

    Cap Béar (★4.1)

    The Cap BEAR site is a sheltered site when there is a tramontana wind, 50 minutes from BARCARES, it allows you to discover the bottom of the VERMEILLE coast in strong winds, with a bottom made up of small drop-offs, faults and coralligenous patates ranging from 5 to 26 metres deep, ideal for walking.
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Anse de la Mauresque <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.8)</span>

    Anse de la Mauresque (★3.8)

    This site, north of Port-Vendres, is sheltered from the south wind and the Tramontane. Accessible to all levels, you'll find nudibranchs, white gorgonians and lobsters through the faults and coralligenous (18 to 20m).
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Épave Le Saumur <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Épave Le Saumur (★4.3)

    The atmosphere is ghostly, as the wreck lies on its keel off Port-Vendres in 45m of water. The stern, lying on its side, is separated from the rest of the ship. The emergency propeller is still clearly visible near the aft cargo mast on the port side.
    ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer
    Sec de la daurade <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Sec de la daurade (★4.5)

    Le Sec de la Daurade, off the coast of Collioure, is a popular dive site for its varied underwater features and biodiversity. Accessible to intermediate to advanced divers, the site lies at depths of between 10 and 25 meters.

    The best months to dive in the Côte Vermeille

    Diving in Côte Vermeille is possible year-round, though conditions vary with the seasons. Water temperatures range from around 12–14°C in winter to 20–23°C in late summer. A thicker wetsuit or drysuit is recommended outside the warmest months.

    Visibility often lies between 10 and 25 meters, sometimes improving after strong regional winds clear the water. The tramontane wind can temporarily limit boat access, especially in winter, while currents are generally mild and site-specific.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in the Côte Vermeille

    Côte Vermeille hosts classic Mediterranean marine life, especially within the Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve. Divers commonly encounter groupers, sea bream, wrasse, barracudas, moray eels and octopus along rocky reefs and walls, with nudibranchs and scorpionfish adding detail for keen observers.

    Seasonally, eagle rays may pass in open water, particularly in warmer months. Shark sightings are rare but possible offshore, while sea turtles are occasional visitors rather than regular encounters. Fish life is generally more abundant inside protected areas.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    1.2k Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    2
    M
    0
    A
    17
    M
    83
    J
    126
    J
    305
    A
    361
    S
    174
    O
    76
    N
    16
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
    Octopus

    Octopus
    642 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    2
    M
    0
    A
    14
    M
    62
    J
    64
    J
    225
    A
    185
    S
    58
    O
    21
    N
    7
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    iStock/ultramarinfoto
    Wrasse

    Wrasse
    202 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    1
    M
    1
    A
    3
    M
    1
    J
    4
    J
    90
    A
    84
    S
    11
    O
    1
    N
    2
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    137 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    4
    M
    8
    J
    20
    J
    55
    A
    2
    S
    22
    O
    18
    N
    6
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    1.1k Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    2
    M
    1
    A
    20
    M
    90
    J
    112
    J
    338
    A
    320
    S
    117
    O
    72
    N
    17
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch
    223 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    1
    M
    0
    A
    3
    M
    11
    J
    17
    J
    66
    A
    57
    S
    40
    O
    20
    N
    6
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Shutterstock-RLS Photo
    Lobster

    Lobster
    132 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    1
    M
    2
    A
    2
    M
    2
    J
    20
    J
    29
    A
    47
    S
    14
    O
    10
    N
    2
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    127 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    5
    J
    3
    J
    50
    A
    64
    S
    1
    O
    1
    N
    1
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish
    119 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    1
    M
    0
    A
    7
    M
    8
    J
    2
    J
    24
    A
    38
    S
    29
    O
    5
    N
    3
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 190

    Alamy-Water Frame
    Conger Eel

    Conger Eel
    87 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    0
    A
    5
    M
    8
    J
    5
    J
    13
    A
    32
    S
    16
    O
    3
    N
    4
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Shutterstock-COZ
    Mullet

    Mullet
    70 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    4
    J
    0
    J
    37
    A
    14
    S
    9
    O
    4
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster
    32 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    2
    J
    6
    A
    12
    S
    6
    O
    3
    N
    1
    D
    1