Where is Port-Cros National Park?
Port-Cros National Park is one of the Golden Islands. It's a natural treasure located off the south coast of France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, more precisely in the Var. Created in 1963, it is Europe's first national marine park and plays a crucial role in preserving the region's marine biodiversity.
Port-Cros, as well as Ile du Levant and Porquerolles, lie opposite Le Lavandou and offer visitors an exceptional natural environment.
What can you see on a dive in Port-Cros?
The crystal-clear water lets you explore fascinating marine life. It's a paradise for divers in search of underwater discoveries.
Diving in the Parc National de Port-Cros, located in the Var region 14.0 km from Porquerolles, you'll discover a multitude of breathtaking underwater landscapes, perfect for diving enthusiasts.
The fauna of Port-Cros
The park's crystal-clear waters are home to a wide variety of marine species, offering divers a unique and immersive experience. The marine fauna is abundant and diverse, with multicolored fish, gorgonians, crustaceans, mollusks, corals and much more.
Among the marine fauna you'll encounter during your dives, including baptized dives at various sites, you'll discover a wide variety of fish, such as groupers, barracudas, sars, moray eels, octopus, lobsters, sea breams and castagnoles, as well as a particular type of rock formation that enriches the underwater landscape.
This exploration will also allow you to observe majestic sea turtles, graceful rays gliding through the waters, as well as small sharks, harmless to humans. If you're lucky, you might even spot playful dolphins and majestic whales on your deeper dives.
The flora of Port-Cros
Diving sites in Port-Cros
Drop-offs and caves
Popular dive sites, including first dives, include spectacular rocky drop-offs where you can
see colorful sponges, coral and a variety of fish.
Underwater caves offer fascinating exploration, while coral reefs are home to abundant marine life for you to see if you're a diver.
Canyon dives let you admire impressive rock formations and explore unique underwater environments during your baptism, exploration or PADI training.
Wrecks
In addition to the diversity of flora and fauna, the Parc de Port-Cros also offers diving explorations on different types of historic wrecks and rock formations. For example, the wreck of the Donator is a popular attraction for divers. This ship, sunk in 1945, now rests at a depth of 40 meters, offering a striking spectacle of sponge- and coral-covered hull and teeming marine life.
Another popular site for divers is the wreck of Le Grec, a Greek ship sunk in 1982. This wreck lies at a depth of 32 meters underwater and is home to a variety of fish and invertebrates.
The Port-Cros National Park offers an exceptional diving experience where you can swim among colorful fish, observe vibrant corals and explore breathtaking landscapes as you explore. Interacting with marine life and discovering the submerged history of the wrecks make every dive an exciting adventure.
La Gabinière
La Gabinière, located in France's Port-Cros National Park, is a diving spot renowned for its remarkable biodiversity and captivating underwater scenery. This site is home to brown groupers, barracudas, corals and sponges, offering experiences suitable for all levels of divers (open water). The exceptional clarity of the waters and the variety of underwater features, including drop-offs and caves, make every dive a memorable one. A must for marine exploration enthusiasts, La Gabinière offers a unique experience that's well worth the detour.
Site protection and environment
By diving in this protected marine park, not far from the Giens peninsula and Ile du Levant, you're also contributing to its preservation. Compliance with park rules, such as the fishing ban and maintaining a safe distance from coral and other marine organisms, guarantees the conservation of this fragile ecosystem for future generations. The site's tourist activity is limited by the number of boats making the crossing each day.
Other activities
As well as diving, Port-Cros National Park also offers exciting land-based activities for you to enjoy during your stay. You can explore the hiking trails that wind through the island of Port-Cros, discovering lush Mediterranean vegetation and breathtaking panoramas.
In short, the Parc National de Port-Cros is an unmissable destination for divers of all levels (amateur or PADI experienced) in search of adventure and discovery. Its exceptional biodiversity, varied underwater landscapes, historic shipwrecks and commitment to conservation make it a unique place to explore and appreciate the beauty of Mediterranean marine life. Dive into the park's crystal-clear waters and marvel at the fauna, flora and landscapes that make this a diver's paradise.
Discover our diving sites in the Var
Nethuns Diving, a team of professionals
After many seasons traveling the world for work or pleasure, from Asia to the Caribbean, from the Red Sea to the frozen lakes of the Alps, through the Aegean Sea and the Balearic Sea, Anne and Guillermo have chosen to drop anchor in the port of Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer to share their passion with you.
Guillermo
A diver since 1996, Guillermo started his PADI course at the age of 12 and became an MSDT instructor.
He is also a qualified MF1 and NITROX instructor, and will put his knowledge, skills and over 10 years’ experience as an instructor at your disposal.
Patient and educational, he will listen to you to allow everyone to dive with confidence.
Anne
With her experience as a sea kayak instructor and her background in sustainable tourism, Anne will share her knowledge of the fauna, flora, heritage and history of the Var.
His experience in dive centers around the world will enable him to offer you personalized support before and after your dives.
She will be your surface security and will make sure that your day on board the Silenus is ideal.