Europe / Azores & France
France France (Marseilles)
From left: Moray eel © Alex Diamond, divers on Spahis wreck © Alex Diamond
Stretching along the Mediterranean coastline in southeast France, the French Riviera is known for its glitz and glamour, and is a popular place to visit during the summer months. However, there are plenty of less well known attractions encompassing the history, culture and nature of the region, plus a magnificent underwater world to explore. With easy access from the UK, this is a fantastic destination for a long-weekend escape to warm waters, with stunning visibility, amazing wrecks and thriving ecosystems. Experienced divers may have the opportunity to explore the submarine wreck of the Rubis which lies at 40 metres on a sandy bottom. Divers will be evaluated during their dives at Golfe Juan before being given the go ahead. A local supplement will apply.
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Climate chart for Marseilles
Antibes - Juan les Pins
Hotel Alexandra
Situated 12 miles west of Nice, you will
A charming historic building dating back to
Diamond Diving The PADI, BSAC and CMAS
find one of the most beautiful coastlines
1820, this small property is a ten minute
affiliated dive centre is located in
in France, stretching 15 miles. Highlights
walk from the centre of Juan Les Pins
the port of Golfe Juan giving divers access
include pebble and sandy beaches,
and 500 metres from the sandy beach.
to some of the best dive sites on the Côte
secluded creeks and five ports filled with
The 18 guestrooms are comfortable
D’Azur. A small centre with a personal
an array of local fishing boats and luxury
and sound-proofed, each with air-
touch, two boat dives are offered daily
yachts. A popular destination, you will
conditioning and a TV. This non-smoking
(morning and afternoon) from a six metre
find a buzzing atmosphere with bars,
property welcomes guests with a friendly
RIB equipped with a platform and side
restaurants, casinos and nightclubs set
atmosphere featuring a cosy outdoor
mounted ladder. Nitrox is available.
amongst historical buildings, museums
restaurant in a relaxing landscaped garden
and markets offering an interesting mix
offering breakfast and local Provençal
This is an ideal place to try diving for
of life. Cap d’Antibes provides excellent
dining options. Internet access and laundry
the first time or continue your diving
walks around the headland and is home to
facilities are available. A nine mile drive
education. A comprehensive range of
a number of millionaires’ châteaux, dream
from Nice International Airport, this is a
courses are available up to Assistant
residences and the ‘Eden Roc’ hotel,
perfect base for a weekend break whether
Instructor level. Why not take the
reputed to be one of the most beautiful in
you choose to play golf, relax, explore or
opportunity to become a Master Scuba
The standard itinerary is a long weekend break running from Thursday to Monday afternoon. Package prices are based on four nights twin-share accommodation in Hotel Alexandra (BB) with six boat dives (including tanks and weights) and return airport transfers. These are land only options enabling you to book your flights with your chosen airline when you are ready to head down to the French Riviera.
the world.
spend your time diving.
Diver by completing some of the speciality
Prices start from £475 per person.
courses which are also available here? Marine life is abundant with corals, gorgonian fans, octopus, crustaceans,
There are 40 dive sites with a great mix
barracuda, sunfish and grouper swimming
of deep pinnacles, vertical drops-offs,
in the warm sea, with dives sites ranging
canyons, caverns and shallow plateaux
from six to sixty metres in depth. Local
suitable for divers of all abilities.
diving highlights include the interesting and historical underwater model village at
La Fourmigue is a large rock formation
La Fourmigue, impressive wall dives of the
marked by a small lighthouse. The dive
coast off the Iles de Ste Marguerite and
sites include the ruins of a model village at
St Honorat, and the wreck of Le Robuste
a depth of 15 metres and L’Enfer de Dante,
2, home to schooling barracuda and a
a group of rocks rising from the depths
number of very large conger eels.
covered in gorgonian and soft corals, with plenty of schooling fish to be seen.
The diving season runs from May-Oct and long weekends are the recommended length of stay.
Scheduled Diving Trips The packages are operated from the award winning dive base at Golfe Juan with accommodation in Juan les Pins.
Speciality packages will operate late September through October, the most popular being the week long Wreck Week. Diving is on classic wrecks such as The Rubis, Grec and Donator. Spaces are limited and you must hold a minimum qualification of PADI Rescue Diver plus Deep Diver Specialty, have diving experience to 60 metres and Advanced Nitrox qualification. (Min 250 logged dives). Ask a member of the Dive Worldwide Team for further details on schedules and dates for 2011.
La Grotte de Miro features a statue of Alternative accommodation options are
the bust of Commandant Yves Le Prieur,
available nearby, and in other towns,
inventor of the first autonomous breathing
throughout the season. However, this is
apparatus.
the most convenient for access to the dive centre situated in Golfe Juan.
See us on the web at www.diveworldwide.com
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