Officially known as Nice la Belle, or Nice the Beautiful, Nice is the second largest city on France’s Mediterranean coast. Having been a permanent settlement since about 350 BCE, this lovely city has a rich maritime history, numerous shipwrecks, and some truly spectacular scenic dive sites that will leave you in awe. Here, we’ll take a look at just a few favorites.
La Grotte a Corail
A stunning multi-level site with massive rock blocks that seem to be stacked one atop the next, La Grotte a Corail offers depths between 12 and 35 meters. Magnificent corals, brilliant red gorgonians, and multicolored sponges thrive here, creating the perfect habitat for curious little blennies, lots of damselfish and wrasse, and a multitude of crustaceans and invertebrates. Larger fish including some huge, friendly groupers can also be seen here.
La Vierge
Also known as “The Virgin,” La Vierge is a very easy shore dive located just across from the onshore war memorial. A nearly life-size statue of the Virgin Mary titled “ Our Lady of the Seabed” has been placed here, and though the seabed is otherwise fairly barren, this underwater relic serves as a kind of oasis for marine life, with small fish swirling about in clouds. A nice spot for a second dive, and great for new divers, this site features maximum depth at 23 meters; the statue itself is located at a depth of just 15 meters.
Les Trois Ilots
More challenging than some other popular dive sites in Nice, Les Trois Ilots offers maximum depth at 40 meters, and visibility between 15 and 25 meters most of the time. With a stunning cliff face plus several massive pyramid-shaped rocks to explore, the site is good for at least a few dives, and as there is an abundance of marine life here, it’s easy to understand why Les Trois Ilots is a favorite with local divers. Covered in vibrant sponges and lush scarlet gorgonians, this site is home to shoaling bream and the barracuda that hunt them, along with John Dorys, anglerfish, and dentex; moray eels and congers can be seen here as well. Use caution as currents can be strong at times, and avoid touching or bumping anything, not only because the environment is fragile, but because the area is teeming with scorpionfish.
La Promenade des Anglais
A very easy shore dive and one that’s even better after the sun goes down, La Promenade des Anglais features a sandy bottom with a gently sloping profile. Large rocks covered with crinoids and gorgonians, sponges, and corals host a fantastic array of marine life; starfish, sea urchins, and several fish species can be seen throughout the site. Maximum depth is 20 meters, and visibility is usually between 15 and 25 meters though it is occasionally even better.
While in Nice, you’ll find that there is no shortage of fun and relaxation, with plenty to keep non-diving travel companions entertained while you enjoy your favorite sport. At the Terra Amata archaeological site, you can see evidence of a 400,000 year old human settlement, and all throughout the city, examples of architecture spanning the centuries can be viewed and explored. With lovely accommodations and fantastic hospitality, knowledgeable dive operators, and some incredible dive sites, Nice is a destination you are sure to find out of this world.