L'Atelier de la Mer · Pointe Rouge, Marseille
A dive centre in Marseille's Pointe Rouge harbour kits you out in a wetsuit, mask and fins, then runs you 20 to 25 minutes by boat to a snorkel site picked for the day's conditions. It's the trip for people who want to look under the water, with instructors, rather than at the cliffs.
L'Atelier de la Mer is a dive centre in the Pointe Rouge harbour, in the south of Marseille. You arrive, change into a wetsuit (full or shorty, and mandatory on the boat), collect fins, mask and snorkel, and listen to a briefing on safety and on what lives in the water. Then a 20 to 25-minute boat ride takes you to the day's site.
Which site depends on the wind, the swell and the visibility. The listing names the Riou archipelago, Planier island, Frioul and Maïre as options. Two of those, Planier and Frioul, are outside the mainland calanques, so don't book this to see cliffs and coves. Book it for what's under the surface: seagrass, rocks and fish in a marine park where large areas are no-take zones.
Staying on the boat is allowed if you change your mind. Back at the centre there are hot showers, changing rooms and a coat check, which beats drying off on a bus. The listing rules out children under 8, pregnant guests and anyone with heart or breathing problems. Bring biodegradable sunscreen; fishing, alcohol and feeding the fish are not allowed.
L'Atelier de la Mer, Port de la Pointe Rouge. Leave your bag in the coat check.
Wetsuit on, fins, mask and snorkel fitted, then safety rules and a marine-life talk.
Riou, Planier, Frioul or Maïre, depending on wind and visibility.
Time in the water with the team watching. Stay on board if you prefer.
Rinse off, change and head home.
★★★★★This was the highlight of our trip to the south of France!
★★★★★Good amount of snorkelling time. Would definitely recommend!
★★★★★It was a great experience. It was very informative thanks to the many explanations from the guide
★★★★★The weather conditions were great; the sea was calm.
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At a site chosen on the day for wind, swell and visibility. The listing names the Riou archipelago, Planier island, Frioul and Maïre as options.
You need to be comfortable in deep water. The wetsuit helps you float, the team gives a briefing, and you can stay on board if you change your mind.
8 years. The listing also rules out pregnant guests and people with heart or breathing problems or reduced mobility.
Around 22 to 23°C in July and August and about 19°C in October, on average. See our swimming guide for every month.
Ready to book
Snorkel the national park with instructors, wetsuit and gear included, hot shower back in port.
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