Explore Marseille: Archipel de Riou

Diving in the Archipel de Riou near Marseille offers a unique experience due to its stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Situated in the heart of the Calanques National Park, this cluster of uninhabited Mediterranean islands presents divers with over 50 official dive sites, catering to all levels of expertise. The underwater landscape is a marvel, featuring craggy slopes, boulders adorned with vibrant gorgonians, and even an intriguing tunnel leading to an open cavern. These geological formations create a mesmerizing backdrop for exploring the depths, reaching a maximum of 22 meters/72 feet.

Marine life is abundant and varied, making each dive an adventure. Divers can expect to encounter octopuses, moray eels, sea stars, and crabs, all thriving in these pristine waters. The diversity of species and the clarity of the water make it a perfect spot for capturing stunning underwater photographs. Whether one prefers shore dives or boat dives, the Riou Archipelago promises an unforgettable experience, enriched by the region's seasonal changes, which bring different marine visitors throughout the year. This makes the Archipel de Riou not just a dive location, but a vibrant sanctuary of marine life and natural wonders.

Courses and Events

Deep Diving

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you everything you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mix of theory sessions and open water dives. You'll learn how to safely plan and execute your deep diving adventures, and how to use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most out of your deep dives. On completion of this course, you'll receive your Deep Diving SSI Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for certain complementary courses, making it the next logical step in your diver training. Program à la carte, please contact us for other available dates.

07 March +126 More
€310.00

Enriched Air Nitrox Level 2 (40%)

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your dive times and safety margins, and shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you'll learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge while learning to plan and dive safely with enriched air mixtures containing up to 40% oxygen. On completion of this program, you will be awarded SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.

07 March +348 More
€1.00

Scuba Diver

With e-learning, confined water and open water dives, the SSI Scuba Diver program is the perfect foundation for becoming a safe and confident diver. You'll learn everything you need to dive in the open water to a depth of 12 meters with an SSI Professional. In this program, you'll complete almost half of the Open Water Diver course and easily upgrade your certification. All you need to do is complete the remaining theory and confined water sessions, plus two open water training dives. À la carte program, please contact us for other available dates.

07 March +258 More
€400.00

Open Water Diver

This world-renowned certification program is the best way to start your adventures of a lifetime as a certified diver. Customized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to give you the skills and experience you need to be truly comfortable underwater. You'll earn your Open Water Diver SSI certification. Program à la carte, contact us other dates available

08 March +163 More
€660.00

Open Water Diver

This world-renowned certification program is the best way to start your adventures of a lifetime as a certified diver. Customized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to give you the skills and experience you need to be truly comfortable underwater. You'll be certified as an Open Water Diver SSI. CUSTOM PROGRAM >> CONTACT US OTHER AVAILABLE DATES

08 March +142 More
€640.00

Advanced Open Water Diver

If you can't decide which Specialty programs are right for you, sign up for the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You'll be able to try deep diving and orienteering, as well as three other specialties of your choice, before committing to full specialty training. It's a great way to discover what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your underwater adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver program, you'll discover 5 different specialties by completing one open water training dive per specialty after a full briefing with your SSI Instructor. By following this program, you'll have total freedom of exploration. You can take the full Specialty courses at any time in the future, and use your Advanced Open Water Diver training to validate them.

08 March +198 More
€490.00

Open Water Diver

This world-renowned certification program is the best way to start your adventures of a lifetime as a certified diver. Customized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to give you the skills and experience you need to be truly comfortable underwater. You'll earn your Open Water Diver SSI certification.

09 March +42 More
€615.00

Open Water Diver

This world-renowned certification program is the best way to start your adventures of a lifetime as a certified diver. Customized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to give you the skills and experience you need to be truly comfortable underwater. A la carte program, please contact us: other dates available.

16 March +99 More
€700.00

Deep Diving

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you everything you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mix of theory sessions and open water dives. You'll learn how to safely plan and execute your deep diving adventures, and how to use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most out of your deep dives. On completion of this course, you'll receive your Deep Diving SSI Specialty certification and be able to explore magnificent deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for certain complementary courses, making it the next logical step in your diver training. Program à la carte, please contact us. Other dates available.

17 March +104 More
€450.00

Dive Activity

Diving in Marseille: Archipel de Riou

The Archipel de Riou, near Marseille, offers a diverse range of dive sites suitable for both shore and liveaboard diving enthusiasts. Among its top attractions is the "Le Chaouen," a renowned wreck dive. This sunken vessel, resting at around 20 meters/66 feet, is a haven for marine life and attracts divers eager to explore its historical remains. Shore diving is equally popular, with the coastline providing easy access to vibrant reefs teeming with groupers and sea bream. Unique experiences include night dives where bioluminescent plankton illuminate the waters, creating an enchanting underwater spectacle. The combination of wrecks, reefs, and night dives makes the Archipel de Riou a must-visit for any dive traveler.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Marseille: Archipel de Riou

Located off the coast of Marseille, the Archipel de Riou is a treasure trove of marine biodiversity, thriving with colorful reef fish and fascinating seasonal visitors. Divers can expect to see common reef inhabitants such as damselfish, wrasse, and groupers. These species are abundant throughout the year, offering a vibrant display of marine life. During warmer months, the archipelago becomes a hotspot for sightings of larger marine animals. It's not uncommon to encounter rays gliding gracefully through the water, and occasionally, divers might spot loggerhead turtles. While shark sightings are rarer, they do occur, particularly in deeper waters. The likelihood of encountering such species often depends on the season and specific dive sites within the archipelago.

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: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
1.8k Sightings
J
11
F
21
M
21
A
66
M
196
J
230
J
338
A
405
S
238
O
171
N
92
D
26

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

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
840 Sightings
J
2
F
4
M
6
A
23
M
81
J
94
J
127
A
208
S
108
O
124
N
51
D
12

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

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
687 Sightings
J
9
F
3
M
12
A
36
M
94
J
121
J
160
A
130
S
57
O
29
N
25
D
11

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

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
143 Sightings
J
4
F
6
M
6
A
13
M
39
J
24
J
2
A
6
S
9
O
12
N
15
D
7

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

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
2.1k Sightings
J
11
F
21
M
22
A
50
M
225
J
270
J
369
A
513
S
293
O
206
N
106
D
23

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

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
955 Sightings
J
7
F
16
M
9
A
47
M
110
J
121
J
154
A
194
S
111
O
101
N
71
D
14

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

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
197 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
5
A
14
M
47
J
20
J
18
A
25
S
12
O
22
N
18
D
8

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

Total number of species: 190

Alamy-Water Frame

Conger Eel
142 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
4
A
16
M
7
J
33
J
19
A
23
S
8
O
9
N
17
D
4

The best Months to dive in Marseille: Archipel de Riou

The Archipel de Riou near Marseille offers diverse diving conditions year-round. Water temperatures range from 13°C–22°C/55°F–72°F, with the warmest months being June to September. Visibility typically extends from 10 to 20 meters/33 to 66 feet, providing clear views of marine life and underwater landscapes.

Diving is possible throughout the year, though the best conditions are from late spring to early fall. Winter months can bring stronger Mistral winds, impacting surface conditions and creating occasional strong currents, making some days less favorable for diving. Planning around weather forecasts is advisable to ensure the best experience.

Dive Centers

ATELIER DE LA MER

Port de la Pointe Rouge, 13008 MARSEILLE, France

PLONGEE TEK MARSEILLE

Atmos, Port de la Pointe Rouge, 13008 MARSEILLE, France

CIP Marseille

Port de la Pointe Rouge, 13008 MARSEILLE, France

Paradis Plongée

710 Chemin du Littoral, 13016 Marseille, France

AQUADOMIA

7 PORT DE LA POINTE ROUGE, 13008 MARSEILLE, France

UCPA Cap Croisette

chemin des Croisettes, 13008 MARSEILLE, France

PLONGEE PASSION CARRY

12 BLD Lieutenant Jean Valensi, 13620 CARRY LE ROUET, France

Dive Sites

Philippe M. (#1864557)

Les Moyades (★4.5)

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.
Philippe M. (#1864557)

Les Pharillons (★4.1)

The Pharillons are located at the southern tip of Maïre Island, they are two rocks. A beautiful drop off with two main arches and other smaller ones.
SSI Service Center France, 38320 Eybens Cedex

Impérial du milieu (★4.3)

The Impériaux are part of the Riou Archipelago and represent 3 rocks to the north-east of the island, making them one of Marseille's best-known divesThe Impérial du milieu is located in the middle of the 3 rocks, as its name suggests.
Philippe M. (#1864557)

Le Messerschmitt (★4.4)

Still well preserved, the wreck lies on its back at a depth of around 44 meters to the north of the islet. Look out for its resident lobster or a grouper hidden under a wing! The Messerschmitt can easily be paired with the wrecks of the Chaouen and Dalton, for a memorable dive albeit reserved for experienced divers.
Jeremy N. (#3839409)

Pierre à Joseph (★4.5)

Rocky reef starting on Plane and heading towards Riou. Small drop-off with many schools of fish: on the high rocky scree transforming into a small plateau. Heading out to sea, a canyon forms between the reef and a hill below -marine. the current can be very strong.
Philippe M. (#1864557)

Tombant du Planier (★4.5)

Off the coast of Marseilles, Planier Island is an emblematic site, visible from all around the harbor.
Pierre D. (#2929148)

Dalton (★4.6)

The Dalton wreck, off the coast of Marseille, is a popular dive site for experienced divers. The wreck lies at a depth of between 20 and 40 metres and is only accessible to experienced divers.
SSI Service Center France, 38320 Eybens Cedex

épave du Liban (★4.4)

On 17 June 1903, less than an hour after leaving the port of Marseille for Bastia, the liner was rammed on the starboard bow by the Insular, returning from Toulon with about forty passengers on board and preparing to enter the roadstead near the Ile Maïre.
Scubapro

Impérial du Large (★4.6)

The Impériaux are part of the Riou Archipelago and represent 3 rocks to the north-east of the island, making them one of the best-known dives in Marseille.
Scubapro

Télévision (★4.7)

“La Télévision“ dive site is located on the south side of the Riou archipelago, near Marseille. It owes its name to the bluish light that penetrates the cave, reminiscent of an old cathode-ray tube.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Impérial de Terre (★4.4)

The Impériaux are part of the Riou Archipelago and represent 3 rocks to the northeast of the island, making them one of Marseille's best-known dives.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

la Grotte du CNRS (★4.2)

The CNRS cave is a vast diving site off the coast of Marseille. The entrance to this imposing cave, measuring around 10 meters high and 10 meters wide, lies at a depth of between 20 and 25 meters.
Mares

Caramassaigne (★4.4)

Plongée à l’aplomb de la pointe, superbe tombant, nous arrivons à une marche entre Riou et le Grand Conglué avec de multitudes trous. En revenant et remontant de gros blocs de pierres sur un plateau fourni en vie marine.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Les Pierres Tombées - Caramassaigne (★4.3)

The Pierres Tombées dive site, located near the Pointe de Caramassaigne in Riou, is a popular spot for its spectacular rock formations. Accessible to intermediate to advanced divers, the site lies at depths of between 7 and 40 meters.
Mares

La Pierre de Cassis (★4.2)

The Pierre de Cassis, located at the Grand Conglue rock, is a popular dive site for its underwater plateau, which gradually descends towards the open sea, ending in a beak. This site is accessible to intermediate to advanced divers, with depths varying between 20 and 40 metres.