The most beautiful seabeds to observe with the family in France

No need to go to the other side of the world to discover the seabed. France offers a variety of amazing places to practice snorkeling or underwater hiking. Children can learn this activity from 6-7 years old. Equipped with fins, mask and snorkel (PMT), you can discover with your family the diversity of the French seabed, its landscapes, its fauna and its flora. Canopea invites you to a stroll among some of the most beautiful snorkeling spots in France.

Snorkeling in the Mediterranean

The warm water of the Mediterranean is perfect for snorkeling. The best spots are in rocky areas, in clear and shallow water. The Mediterranean coast has a large number of places that meet these criteria. You should know that the Mediterranean is home to an exceptional variety of marine fauna, a third of which are endemic species, which is more than enough to enhance your aquatic hikes.

•       Palud Beach, Port Cros, Var

Off the coast of Hyères, the island of Port-Cros is a protected national park offering one of the most interesting snorkeling spots in the Mediterranean. Head to the north of the island and the beach of La Palud. You will reach it by a footpath. After a 40-minute walk, you will easily locate the place of your aquatic walk, which stretches from the beach to the Rascas rock, located just opposite. The very fishy seabed of this area makes it a place conducive to beautiful encounters: octopus, barracudas, sea bream, black-headed sea bream, colorful wrasse, salema, combers, etc.

•       Magaud Cove, La Garde, Var

Just a few kilometres from Toulon, in La Garde, the unspoilt landscape of the cove of Magaud offers a beautiful pebble beach sheltered by pine trees. By taking the marked marine path or by straying a little from it, you will discover an underwater landscape composed of rocks, sandy bottoms and large seagrass beds, as well as a teeming local fauna: salem, sea bream, sea bream, octopus and the unmissable red starfish!

•       The Calanques of Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône

The reputation of the Calanques National Park in Marseille is well established. In summer, tourists and locals mix to enjoy the beauty of the place . The variety of underwater landscapes and the many animal and plant species present also appeal to snorkeling enthusiasts, a very common practice in the calanques. During your aquatic walks, expect to encounter some cetaceans, especially dolphins, which are not so rare in the region!

Observing the seabed in Corsica

A meeting place for divers from all over the world, Corsica has many magnificent spots for lovers of aquatic hiking. In the transparent waters of the Isle of Beauty, you can easily observe cuttlefish, wrasse and sea bream. With a bit of luck, you can also have some rarer and more surprising encounters, by coming across rays, moray eels or sea bream.

•       Lavezzi Islands, South Corsica

Located about ten kilometers from the coast, the Lavezzi Islands are a small archipelago made up of a main island and a few islets. A protected marine reserve, they are a real natural aquarium. The fish are numerous and familiar to aquatic hikers, and easy to observe. It is not uncommon to come across a few groupers there, which is what earned the region the nickname of Mérouville!

•       The Gulf of Sagone, South Corsica

Another magnificent snorkeling spot. The Gulf of Sagone is less frequented than the Scandola Reserve, located further north and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is therefore a good alternative for those who wish to avoid the crowds. The place offers a wide variety of reliefs and magnificent seabeds to satisfy hikers. They will be able to observe the very rich fauna and flora sheltered in the rocks and (almost) spared from pollution.

Observing the seabed in Brittany

We leave the climate of the south of France for the more invigorating one of the Breton coasts. Yes, snorkeling is not only practiced in warm waters. In Brittany, you can also go snorkeling, even if the water is sometimes a little cool and you have to be careful with the currents and tides. However, the seabed offers beautiful scenery and a varied fauna and flora, typical of the Atlantic. During your walks, you can come across the fish and shellfish that you are used to putting on your plate: sea bass, mullet, mackerel and wrasse, among others.

•       Glénan Archipelago, Finistère

Do you know where one of the most beautiful diving spots in France is located? Guess what: a lagoon atmosphere, white sand, transparent water offering a gradient of blues ranging from the darkest to turquoise. No, you are not in Polynesia, but in Brittany. The nine islands of the Glénan archipelago are home to abundant wildlife. As you wander underwater, you will discover a landscape made of laminaria, these brown algae that form long flat ribbons. You will come across many crustaceans and marvel at the colorful corynactis clinging to the rocks!

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