Located just off the coast of Marseilles, the Riou Archipelago is a cluster of tiny islands, most of which are uninhabited, saved for some seabirds and of course, the many animals living in the sea that surrounds them. Ile Maire is one of the largest; marked by a beacon and separated from the mainland by a narrow channel, it is a fantastic place to dive. In all, there are more than 50 named dive sites around the Riou Archipelago; here, we’ll take a look at just a handful of the best.
Maire Strait
A wonderfully scenic site between Maire Island and Tiboulen Islet, Maire Strait is an underwater photographer’s dream come true. The site features rocky slopes, massive boulders covered in beautiful gorgonians, and a massive crack in a huge wall, which eventually leads back into a big, open cavern. Not only does Maire Strait offer numerous geologic features, it is home to an abundance of marine life, including moray eels and octopus, lots of sea stars and crabs, and plenty of fish including schooling bream. Maximum depth is 22 meters, and visibility is normally between 15 and 25 meters.
The Mysterious Cave
Situated near Jarre Island, the Mysterious Cave dive site is both colorful and geologically intriguing. After dropping to a depth of 20 meters, you’ll find yourself in a canyon with sheer walls that become impossibly straight. As you work your way along these walls, you’ll find many cracks and crevices to explore. The water gradually gets shallower, until you find yourself at 12 meters, looking into the opening of the Mysterious Cave itself. Once inside this brightly lit cavern, you’ll find yourself in an air pocket with fresh air coming in from above. You’ll exit via a large crack before making your way back to the dive boat. Along the way, look for lots of crustaceans among the sponges, anemones, and gorgonians, and watch for ornate wrasse, octopus, moray eels, and other marine life as you explore.
Coral Cave
A beautiful cave you can explore with or without the aid of a dive light, the Coral Cave is covered in a beautiful mantle of sponges, anemones, and gorgonians that provide plenty of hiding spaces for crabs, shrimp, and little lobsters. Fish are plentiful here as well; watch for wrasse, damsels, schooling pout, and the occasional barracuda. There are several entrances to Coral Cave between 12 and 16 meters, and a nearby slope offers a descent to some large boulders located at a depth of 27 meters, as well as to a smaller, darker cave with a few octopuses inside. Visibility is quite good here, sometimes increasing to as much as 35 meters.
While in the Marseilles area, be sure to spend at least a little time exploring the many museums, public spaces, and cultural attractions that this, the second-largest city in France, has to offer. If you are looking for excellent diving coupled with a wonderful holiday in France for everyone in your group, this is a destination that is certain to please.