France

Explore France

Diving in France offers an exceptional experience for enthusiasts seeking a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and adventure. The country's diverse diving environments range from vibrant coral reefs in the Mediterranean to the dramatic walls and wrecks along the Atlantic coast. Notably, France is the birthplace of Jacques Cousteau, a pioneer in the world of scuba diving, which adds a historical depth to the diving culture here. Enthusiasts can explore underwater caves, particularly in regions like the Lot and Dordogne, renowned for their intricate and fascinating cave diving sites.

Marine life in France is both abundant and varied, featuring species like colorful groupers, playful dolphins, and elusive seahorses in the Mediterranean Sea. The country also offers a range of dive styles, including shore dives, boat excursions, and liveaboard adventures, catering to divers of all preferences. Seasonal changes bring different delights; for instance, the summer months are ideal for warm water diving in the south, while the Atlantic coast offers rich experiences year-round. Under French law, diving is carefully regulated, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience led by the Dive Director, who oversees every aspect of each dive.

Places to Explore

Southern France

365 Divesites • 53 Centers

Corsica

91 Divesites • 13 Centers

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

PLONGEQUILIBRE

Computer Diving

13 Nov 2025 + 223 more

SSI designed the Computer Diving program to help certified divers become familiar with the features and benefits of using a dive computer. By understanding and knowing how to use all the functions of a dive computer, you will not only increase your dive safety but also make planning and executing your dive easier. The SSI Computer Diving program explores the functions and capabilities of different dive computers and explains how to use these functions before, during, and after your dive. Often, divers purchase a computer and only use it for its basic information. Get the most out of your investment by learning to use your dive computer to its full potential. Start your SSI Computer Diving specialty online today!

Diver Level Programs / Courses

NEREIDES PLONGEE

Night Diving and Limited Visibility

15 Nov 2025

Night diving requires different skills from diving during the day. The SSI Night Diving and Limited Visibility specialty is the best way to learn about night diving and practice the techniques you will need to become a safe and confident night diver. In this program, you will be provided with all the knowledge and skills you need to safely and comfortably dive at night or in limited visibility conditions. With a combination of online learning and open water training dives, you will learn how to enter and exit the water, use specialized equipment, and how to communicate with your buddy easily at night or in limited visibility. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Night Diving and Limited Visibility specialty certification and be ready to go night diving with confidence.

Instructor Evaluation

AQUADOMIA

Instructor Evaluation - IE

21 Nov 2025

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to:

• Conduct academic sessions
• Lead confined water training
• Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more
• Develop student management and communication skills

Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more.
Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

PLONGEQUILIBRE

React Right - Course Combination (FA, CPR, AED, O2)

29 Nov 2025

React Right is SSI’s emergency first response course and provides you with the training and knowledge you need to act as a first responder in a medical emergency. In this flexible dive program, you can choose which subjects you want to learn about, including primary assessment, first aid, CPR and primary stabilization techniques. You can also learn about oxygen administration in diving emergencies and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) basics. Using a combination of academic sessions and practical training scenarios, this program will give you the tools and confidence you need for emergency response. By the time you are certified, you will be able to act as an emergency first responder, provide first aid and CPR, administer oxygen and provide AED support in a medical emergency. Earn your SSI React Right specialty certification. Get started today!

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Bouley Bay Dive Centre

Dry Suit Diving

10 Jan 2026 + 1 more

Drysuit diving opens up a world of opportunities, including diving remote Arctic destinations and exploring cold-water dive sites teeming with life. Dry suit diving also keeps you warm on multi-dive days when you do not want to spend your time getting in and out of a cold wetsuit. The SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty program is the best way to become a dry suit diver and teaches you all the knowledge and techniques you need to dive safely and comfortably in a dry suit. You will learn how to use specialized equipment, like dry suits and BCs, the benefits of dry suits and how to deal with dry suit emergencies – which are unique to this type of diving. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Dry Suit Diving specialty certification.

Professional Level Programs / Courses

Argonaute

Open Water Instructor (Instructor Training Course ITC)

13 Jun 2026

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to: • Conduct academic sessions • Lead confined water training • Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more • Develop student management and communication skills Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more. Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.

Centers Map

Magellan

1 Place Magellan Résidence Atalaya, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer, FRA

Argonaute

14 rue Hermès, 31520 Ramonville Saint Agne, FRA

SUBVISION PLONGEE

QUAI SAINT PIERRE, 06220 GOLFE JUAN, FRA

École de Plongée Sétoise

3 quai de la Tintaine, 34200 Sète, FRA

NICE DIVING

13 QUAI DES DEUX EMMANUEL, 06300 NICE, FRA

Paradis Plongée

710 Chemin du Littoral, 13016 Marseille, FRA

H2JO Diving

19 quai des Cabestans, 56640 ARZON, FRA

LEUCATE PLONGÉE

2037 Avenue du Rec de l’Entrée, 11370 Port-Leucate, FRA

ÉCOLE DE PLONGÉE ORLÉANAISE (EPO)

10 rue de Murlins, 45000 Orléans, FRA

ALOES PLONGEE

RESIDENCE LES ALOES, 66290 CERBERE, FRA

ARCHIPEL PLONGÉE

8 Résidence les Villégiales du quai d’honneur, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer, FRA

Octopus

Aux Plongeurs Bretons, 22730 TREGASTEL, FRA

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★★ Revellata

As if resting on the water, Cape Revellata is an exceptional land and sea site due to its isolation, its preservation, and its beauty. This site’s underwater architecture is extravagant, filled with canyons, corridors, dizzying drop-offs, and much more!

★★★★☆ Cap Gros

Cap Gros offers a variety of dives. From two to thirty metres, passing through posidonia, rocks with drop-offs, to finish on the corralligenous...

★★★★☆ Les Moyades

Small rocky island located south of Marseille, off the Calanques massif. It is part of the Riou archipelago, a beautiful canyon followed by a drop off. It is not uncommon to see groupers, greater forkbeards, eels, anthias, damsel fish and even barrakudas.

★★★★☆ Les Gorets

Flagship site of the Gulf of Morbihan, to the west of the Long Island in the heart of a protected area, the Gorets site promises you some of the most beautiful dives in Brittany! The North-South oriented drop-off presents one of the most beautiful fields of European gorgonians!

Scubapro, Stephen Frink