The Golden Islands, located in France’s Port-Cros National Park, are a true paradise for diving enthusiasts. These islands, comprising Port-Cros, Porquerolles and Ile du Levant, are packed with spectacular and varied dive sites. The park’s crystal-clear waters are home to exceptional marine biodiversity, with colorful seabeds and rich flora and fauna. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, you’ll be amazed by the magnificent underwater scenery, caves and historic wrecks. The dive sites around the Golden Islands offer an unforgettable experience for all diving enthusiasts looking for adventure and underwater discovery.
Les secs de la Jaume garde
Description
The highest point of the rock is at a depth of 16 to 17 metres, sloping gently down to 40 metres. This makes it a dive suitable for all levels. Divers can choose to descend into the blue or along the tip, depending on their level and preferences. The jagged rock features faults, valleys and numerous holes. Located at the tip of Porquerolles, this rock is undoubtedly one of the most captivating dive sites, although unfortunately not sheltered from the wind.
Difficulty
Easy
Depth
From 16 to 40 metres
Fauna & Flora
Congers, moray eels, sars, castagnoles, barracudas, groupers, sea bream, a wide variety of fixed fauna
Dry moray eels
Description
To the west of Porquerolles, near the Jeaune-Garde beacon, lies the famous Sec des Murènes. This site is made up of a series of rocky peaks intersected by large faults. A small sandbar separates the two parts of the site. The main part of the rock is around 20 metres deep, making this dive relatively accessible to beginners.
Difficulty
Medium
Depth
From 20 to 39 metres
Fauna & Flora
Conger, drum sars, barracuda, denti
Le sec du Langoustier
Description
This dive features three boulders and a few large boulders, creating a magnificent underwater landscape where you have to explore every nook and cranny and dig under the rocks. However, the wind, particularly the Mistral, can make the site difficult to access. The main part of the rock lies at a depth of just 14 meters, and does not exceed 30 meters. This site, renowned for its large population of gorgonians, is a suitable dive for intermediate divers and makes an ideal location for underwater photographers.
Difficulty
Medium
Depth
From 14 to 30 metres
Fauna & Flora
Conger, sars, moray eels, red gorgonians
The Cape of Medes
Description
Located at the north-eastern tip of Porquerolles, this dive site offers an abundance of fixed fauna and fish of all kinds. The site is quite extensive, and you can also explore the eastern face of the rock, known as "The Pool of the Medes". Commandant Cousteau even filmed an episode featuring numerous octopuses. Les Mèdes is an ideal site for an introduction to diving or a gentle introduction to diving. The site offers easy anchorage under the pierced rock. What's more, it is well sheltered from the Mistral and has few currents, offering favorable conditions for diving.
Difficulty
Easy
Depth
From 0 to 30 metres
Fauna & Flora
Encrusting anemones, groupers, moray eels, corbs, barracudas, sars
La Gabinière
Description
This incredible site is located in the Port-Cros National Park, offering an exceptional diving experience. Whether you decide to make several dives around the islet, stay along the eastern drop-off or explore the rocky scree, you'll be transported into an aquarium-like underwater world. However, it is important to note that this site is subject to frequent and powerful currents, which can carry you north-westwards towards Porquerolles. To enjoy diving in complete safety, we recommend a drift dive with parachute recovery in open water. The Sec is easy to spot and can even be seen from the surface when visibility is good.
Difficulty
Easy
Depth
From 0 to 20 metres
Fauna & Flora
Barracudas, capons, scorpion fish, schools of castagnoles, sars, wolffish, moray eels, conger eels, groupers, sponges, flabellines, liches, amberjacks, yellow anemones, etc.
The tip of the cross
Description
The topography of Pointe de la Croix is similar to that of Pointe de Montrémian, with a long, rocky ridge a few meters high, surrounded by posidonia. On this dive, you'll descend along the main ridge to the sand at a depth of 30 meters, then ascend in the opposite direction. There is also a second ridge to the west of the main ridge. To reach the latter, you can either fly over the Posidonia meadow on a north-westerly heading, or reach it from the rocky scree at a depth of between 10 and 15 meters.
Difficulty
Easy
Depth
From 0 to 30 metres
Fauna & Flora
Groupers, sars, girelles, moray eels, barbier eels, white gorgonians, sponges
La pointe de la Galère
Description
Located at the north-east end of Port-Cros island, Pointe de la Galère is one of the most magnificent dives in the Port-Cros National Park. The dive takes place along a rocky spur some fifteen meters high, descending to 40 meters where the sand lies. You can choose to dive on either the east or west side, as both offer splendid scenery with numerous faults and imposing rock formations.
Difficulty
Medium
Depth
From 15 to 40 metres
Fauna & Flora
Congers, mostelles, lobsters, capons, spiny starfish, monkfish, red scorpion fish, diadem sea urchins
The tip of Montrémian
Description
Located at the north-western tip of the island of Bagaud, Pointe de Montrémian, also known as the "ski slope" because of its 45° sandy slope, is a must for diving. There may be a current on the site, which will carry you westwards towards the island of Porquerolles. To start the dive on the east side, you descend northwards along a rocky spur, with the rock on your left, and a second, slightly lower rocky ridge on your right, until you reach the sand at a depth of 31 meters. Approximately 50 meters from the tip of the point, heading north, you'll come across the gorgonian-covered Montrémian rock. Measuring around 4 to 5 metres in height and some 20 metres in circumference, this rock can be easily circumnavigated during a dive.
Difficulty
Medium
Depth
From 5 to 40 metres
Fauna & Flora
Scorpion fish, capons, moray eels, red mullet, octopus, red, yellow and white gorgonians, encrusting sponges