Underwater

Cavalaire, an underwater paradise for divers

Cavalaire is the second most popular diving site in the Mediterranean. It is home to no fewer than 12 wrecks in the bay of Cavalaire, offering exceptional underwater treasures such as :

Scuba diving is a leisure activity that is accessible to everyone. So why not take advantage of your stay in Cavalaire to discover some of the greatest treasures to be found on the Mediterranean seabed?

Whatever your availability, age or experience, get in touch with diving professionals.

You’re sure to find a diving centre that suits you, whether you’re looking for a discovery programme, initial or advanced training or a dream cruise.

Les trésors sous-marins de Cavalaire en plongée

Cavalaire is home to a thousand underwater treasures:

• 12 shipwrecks in the bay of Cavalaire and the surrounding area
• Numerous drop-offs and breathtaking rocks
• Exceptional flora and fauna

Get to know the flora and fauna of the Mediterranean

LEARN ABOUT THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

The marine reserve

The Gulf of Saint-Tropez is part of the Aire Marine Protégée, a marine protected area that is home to an exceptional biodiversity and an abundance of underwater life. The aim of this marine reserve is to conserve and protect the region’s marine ecosystems in the long term, while promoting ecotourism and raising public awareness of the importance of marine conservation.

These protected areas are set up to regulate human activities such as fishing, shipping and tourism. The Gulf of Saint-Tropez Marine Protected Area stretches from the Pointe de Rabiou in Saint-Tropez to Cap Nègre in Cavalière.

Discover the underwater treasures of Cavalaire by scuba diving

Cavalaire is known as a diver’s paradise because of the richness of its seabed, particularly the 12 wrecks in and around the bay:

• • Le Ramon: 80-metre cargo ship, launched in 1873 and scuttled in 1921 at a depth of 22 metres for smuggling.
• Le Prophète : 42-metre propeller steamer, launched in 1853 and sunk in 1860 by water at a depth of 33 metres.
• Le Rubis : 66-metre French submarine launched in 1931 and scuttled with honours in 1958 for services to the Nation. It lies at a depth of 40 metres.
• L’Espingole : 56-metre destroyer launched in 1900, it ran aground in 1903 and sank in 40 metres of water while being towed.
• Le Torpilleur 178 :Launched in 1883, this 35-metre vessel was scuttled in 45 to 48 metres of water in 1921.

• Le Togo: Ville de Valence: A 76-metre cargo ship launched in 1882, it hit a mine in 1918. It lies at a depth of 47 to 58 metres.
• La Poursuivante : 81-metre torpedo boat launched in 1936, scuttled at Toulon in 1942 and refloated in 1943, it sank permanently in 1947 at a depth of 50 to 60 metres.
• Le Trafic : Cargo ship off Cap Taillat, (54 m).
• Le Hellcat : a plane in the bay of Pramousquier (53 m).
• Le Wilcat : a plane near la Fourmigue du Lavandou, (53 m).
• Le Spaihs : A boat (12 à 25m) near la Fourmigue at Le Lavandou
• Le Donator : Cargo off the coast of Porquerolles (48 m).
• Le Grec : Cargo off the coast of Porquerolles (35 to 45 m)

The Bonporteau Marine trail in Cavalaire

Discover the wonders of the seabed in the Cavalaire marine reserve along the Bonporteau marine trail. Come and discover its golden beaches and secret coves, where you’ll come across sea bream, girelles and scorpion fish moving among the posidonia meadows, a source of oxygen for fish in the marine environment, as well as rocks and anemone gardens. This posidonia forms a veritable marine forest, providing a refuge for species.

In the heart of the Cavalaire marine reserve, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, you can enjoy fun underwater excursions to explore the seabed.

The trail is open to the public during the summer, with underwater signs attached to buoys describing the site’s attractions If you’d like to find out more about Cavalaire’s local underwater treasures, take part in one of our guided tours led by a qualified instructor-guide.

More informations on Bonporteau marine trail

I RESERVE MY VISIT TO THE BONPORTEAU MARINE TRAIL