10 must-see destinations for snorkeling in France
A must-do activity on a seaside holiday is snorkelling. This sport is attracting more and more holidaymakers and sportsmen. More commonly known as "snorkelling", "subaquatic hiking" or "aquatic walking", this leisure activity is easy to access, fun and friendly. It allows you to learn about marine biology, while observing the different species from the surface. Snorkeling is practiced in clear, shallow waters, in rocky areas and preferably in temperate or warm seas. And contrary to what you might think, there are many beautiful snorkelling destinations in France!
This leisure activity appeals to holidaymakers and adventurers alike, as it is the most accessible and least expensive way to discover underwater life! With no need for a scuba tank, no special qualifications and limited physical effort, it's the ideal way to get your first taste of the marine world. And it's also a great way to spend some quality time with friends and family! If you are comfortable and in good physical condition, you can even do a few short snorkelling dives to get up close and personal with aquatic life!
We have compiled a list of the top 10 snorkelling destinations in France so that you can practice this sport in the perfect location. A memorable experience for sure! For beginners, it is highly recommended to contact a diving centre or club before jumping into the water.
As far as snorkelling equipment is concerned, all you need is a PMT kit (= Fins, Mask and Snorkel), a neoprene suit or an anti-UV top depending on the temperature of the water and finally a buoy for your safety in order to enjoy the show in complete peace of mind.
This article deals only with the coastline of mainland France.
1- Lavezzi Islands, South Corsica
Corsica, with its translucent waters and rocky coastline, is a great place to go snorkeling in the summer! The Lavezzi Islands, with their numerous coves, are one of the top snorkelling destinations in France on our list. There, you will discover the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea! Indeed, this archipelago located in the south of Corsica, is in the heart of the Bouches de Boniface nature reserve and has many underwater treasures that are worth a visit!
During the aquatic walk in PMT, you will have the chance to discover many different species! This is a must for snorkelers who want to discover the abundant fauna and flora! To get there, the easiest way is to take the shuttle bus from Boniface harbour!
2- Ile Rousse, Haute-Corse
For the next snorkeling spot we stay in Corsica. To the north is L'Île-Rousse, an important port town for Corsica. Situated opposite the island of Pietra and not far from the Scandola Nature Reserve, it is a small paradise for a snorkelling trip. Equipped with a wetsuit, flippers, mask and snorkel, take advantage of the extraordinary visibility to discover the natural underwater treasures and make beautiful aquatic encounters!
You will find all the snorkelling spots of Ile Rousse just a few minutes away from the town's port! Throughout the snorkeling activity, you will have the opportunity to admire the Corsican fauna and flora. Whether with family, friends or lovers, this experience is unique!
3- Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël & Agay, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
The coastline around Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël is perfectly suited to snorkelling! Between the red Esterel massif and the blue Mediterranean, discover the typical underwater nature of the South of France by visiting the Dramont spot or the Lions Islands.
Moreover, the diversity and beauty of the underwater world of the Bay of Agay is something to behold! Situated in one of the most beautiful roads of the Mediterranean coast between Cap Dramont and Pointe de la Baumette, the Bay is sheltered from the wind and has rocky bottoms where many marine species live! It is a place not to be missed for a pleasant stroll. And for the youngest (and for the not so young too) there is the possibility of a snorkeling excursion with a treasure hunt!
4- Hyères, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Our 4th snorkeling destination in France is the snorkeling near Hyères. Enjoy a pleasant excursion on the Var coast! Whether on the Presqu'île de Giens or on the islands of Hyères, the sites are perfect for snorkelling. In particular, we find a preserved area with typical Mediterranean seabed, in the Port-Cros National Park with an exceptional sea bed. By the way, this is where part of Luc Besson's film The Big Blue (1988) was filmed! Check out our top 5 must-see freediving movies.
There are many beaches and coves with translucent waters around Hyères. The beach of La Palud and the Anse de la Fausse Monnaie are two spots that will delight you. And there is also the island of Redonne and its superb natural setting which is a very popular spot for snorkelers!
5- The Calanques of Marseille
Take a PMT and discover the sublime Calanques National Park with your family or friends from a new angle! This is an opportunity for you to marvel at the rich and colourful marine life, but also to observe numerous species of fish such as girelles and saupes which evolve between the grass beds, sandy bottoms and rocks!
The Calanque de Sormiou, which is the widest and one of the most beautiful, is the perfect spot for an exceptional snorkelling session, even for beginners! In the summer months, enjoy excellent visibility in calm, clear, turquoise waters! To get to this cove, you can take bus number 23 from the Prado roundabout in Marseille and get off at the "La Cayolle" stop. Then, on foot, you will follow the road until you reach the Calanque path. Another option is to take the bus n°22 from Marseille to "Baumettes". Walk to the Baumettes park and follow the signs to Calanque de Sormiou. For more information see the page of the tourist office of Marseille.
6- Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve, Pyrénées-Orientales
In the Pyrenees-Orientales there is a very fragile underwater paradise: the marine nature reserve of Cerbère-Banyuls. At the foot of the Albères massif, the beauty and riches of the Vermeille coast lie beneath the surface of the water.
From the beach of Peyrefite, walk with fins, mask and snorkel along a magnificent 250 m long underwater path within this natural marine reserve and admire the typical seabed of the region! During this course, you will discover 5 different ecosystems, namely pebbles, posidonia meadows, boulders, faults and drop-offs. This makes snorkelling at Cap Cerbère a fun and unique experience!
7- Lake Annecy, Haute-Savoie
For an immersion in the purest lake in Europe, head for Haute-Savoie! Indeed, Lake Annecy is a place that attracts divers from all over the country, but also tourists wishing to learn to dive in this type of environment. The water is translucent (up to 20 metres of visibility on the surface) and clean, and the average temperature is 23°C in summer. This makes Annecy an ideal place for underwater activities, particularly snorkelling.
From the surface, observe the freshwater fish and the grass beds, while enjoying a pleasant moment with family and friends! Lake Annecy is not only a great destination in France for a rich and relaxing snorkelling trip, but also for other outdoor activities such as Stand Up Paddle, Wakeboarding or Canyoning.
8- The French Basque Country
The coastline of the French Basque Country, from Biarritz to Hendaye, via Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Guéthary, has superb unspoilt beaches, perfect for snorkelling and diving!
Speaking of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Lafitena beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the coast and not only is it perfect for surfers, but you can also go for a ride in a PMT! In the wild beaches of Guéthary and its rocky coves, you can even observe octopuses, anemones and many small fish!
9- Quiberon, Morbihan
Head for Brittany where there are some great snorkelling spots to discover! If you are visiting the north-west of France, you can try a snorkelling initiation near the Gulf of Morbihan and more particularly, at the Quiberon Peninsula, between Lorient and Vannes. This is a unique opportunity to admire the rocky coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.
In the summer months, Brittany's waters are by no means devoid of visibility, so don't hesitate to discover their atypical flora and fauna. The exceptional diversity of the Breton coastline will amaze you both above and below the water. Brittany is therefore a must in our selection of snorkelling spots in France.
10- The Glénan Archipelago, Finistère
As you can see, Brittany's underwater world is also full of surprises! The last destination we propose in this list of the 10 best snorkelling spots in France is the Glénan Archipelago located on the Atlantic Ocean. This mythical place is made of white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters. Despite the impression that the Glénan Archipelago is in the tropics, we can assure you that it is in France!
In these islets, you will find paradisiacal landscapes and very diverse and varied underwater ecosystems. In addition to the Glénan Archipelago, you will find other very popular spots in the area such as the Bay of Audierne or Névez. In Brittany, as in the rest of France, there is no shortage of beautiful places to go on a water walk to discover the fascinating underwater world.
If there's one thing to remember from this article, it's that this summer, don't forget your PMT kit if you're spending your holidays by the sea. There are plenty of underwater trails in France and elsewhere: check out all our snorkelling activities around the world. And if you're looking for a bit more adrenaline, you can check out The Top Destinations for Your First Dive!