10 must-see destinations for snorkelling in France

Better known as 'snorkelling', 'underwater hiking' or 'aquatic walking', snorkelling is attracting more and more holidaymakers and sports enthusiasts. The sport is easy to get into, fun and friendly. It's a great way to learn about marine biology, while observing different species from the surface.

This sport is practised in clear, shallow waters, in rocky areas and preferably in temperate or warm seas. And contrary to what you might think, there are plenty of wonderful snorkelling destinations in France!

This activity appeals to holidaymakers and adventurers alike, as it's the most accessible and least expensive way of discovering underwater life! You don't need a scuba tank or any special qualifications, and it's the ideal way to get your first flippers and learn about the maritime world.

It's also a great way to spend some quality time with friends and family! If you're comfortable and in good physical condition, you can even do a few snorkelling dives to get up close and personal with aquatic life!

We've put together a list of the 10 best snorkelling destinations in France, so you can enjoy this sport in the perfect location. It's sure to be a memorable experience! For beginners, we strongly advise you to contact a diving centre or club before taking the plunge.

As far as snorkelling equipment is concerned, all you need is a PMT kit (= Fins, Mask and Snorkel), a neoprene suit or anti-UV top, depending on the water temperature, and a buoy for your safety, so you can enjoy the spectacle in complete peace of mind.

1- Lavezzi Islands, South Corsica

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Corsica, with its translucent waters and rocky coastline, is an ideal place to go snorkelling in the summer along its heavenly beaches! The Lavezzi islands and their many coves, like Propriano, are among the best snorkelling destinations in France. Once there, you'll discover the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea! This archipelago in southern Corsica is at the heart of the Bouches de Boniface nature reserve, and boasts a wealth of underwater treasures well worth a visit!

During the aquatic walk in PMT, you'll have the chance to discover many different species! It's a must for snorkellers keen to discover the abundant fauna and flora! The easiest way to get there is to take the shuttle bus from Boniface harbour!

2- Ile Rousse, Haute-Corse

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For the next snorkelling spot in France, we're staying on the Île de Beauté. L'Île-Rousse, in the north of the island, is a major port town, opposite the island of La Pietra and not far from the Scandola Nature Reserve. A veritable little paradise, it's the place to be for an underwater trip. Equipped with a wetsuit, flippers, mask and snorkel, take advantage of the extraordinary visibility to discover the natural underwater riches and enjoy some great aquatic encounters!

You'll find all the snorkelling spots on Ile Rousse just a few minutes from the town's port! Throughout the snorkelling activity, you'll have the chance to admire Corsica's flora and fauna. Whether with family, friends or lovers, this is an experience like no other!

3- Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

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Head to the charming French coast to venture into the crystal-clear waters and try your hand at snorkelling in Fréjus! Between the Esterel massif with its red rock and the blue of the Mediterranean, marvel at these charming landscapes. And what about diving to explore the underwater nature typical of the South of France at the Dramont spot or the Îles des Lions?

The diversity and beauty of the seabed in the Bay of Agay is also something to behold! Situated in one of the most beautiful harbours on the Mediterranean coast, between Cap Dramont and Pointe de la Baumette, the Bay is sheltered from the wind and has a rocky seabed teeming with marine life!

It's a great place for a leisurely stroll. And for the youngsters (and the not-so-young too) there's the chance to go on a snorkelling trip with a treasure hunt!

4- Hyères, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

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Here's another ideal destination for snorkelling in France. Head to Hyères for snorkelling in a wonderful setting. Enjoy a pleasant excursion along the Var coast! Whether on the Presqu'île de Giens or the Hyères islands, the sites are perfect for snorkelling. The Port-Cros National Park, with its exceptional seabed, is an unspoilt area with a typical Mediterranean seabed.

In fact, this is where part of Luc Besson's film The Big Blue (1988) was filmed! Check out our top 5 must-see freediving films.

There are numerous beaches and coves with translucent waters around Hyères. La Palud beach and Anse de la Fausse Monnaie are two spots that will delight you. The Ile de la Redonne also offers a superb natural setting, and is a very popular spot for snorkellers!

5- The Calanques of Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône

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Take a PMT and discover the sublime Parc National des Calanques from a whole new angle, with family or friends! You'll be dazzled by the colourful marine life, but you'll also be able to spot many different species of fish, including girelles and saupes, which swim between the sea grass beds, sandy seabeds and rocks! Discover a wide range of unforgettable activities in Marseille's calanques.

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 fine weather, enjoy excellent visibility in calm, clear, turquoise waters! To get to this cove, take bus no. 23 from the Prado roundabout in Marseille and get off at the "La Cayolle" stop. Then, on foot, follow the road until you reach the Chemin de la Calanque. Another option is to take the n°22 bus from Marseille to "Baumettes". Walk to the Parc des Baumettes and follow the signs for Calanque de Sormiou. For more information, visit the Marseille tourist office page.

6- Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Reserve, Pyrénées-Orientales

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The Pyrénées-Orientales region is home to a fragile underwater paradise: the Cerbère-Banyuls marine nature reserve. At the foot of the Albères massif, the beauty and riches of the Vermeille coast lie beneath the surface of the water.

Starting from Peyrefite beach, use your flippers, mask and snorkel to explore a magnificent 250-metre underwater trail in this natural marine reserve and admire the region's typical seabed! Along the way, you'll discover 5 different ecosystems: pebbles, posidonia meadows, boulders, faults and drop-offs. This makes snorkelling at Cap Cerbère a fun and unique experience!

7- Lake Annecy, Haute-Savoie

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If you want to immerse yourself in the purest lake in Europe, head for Haute-Savoie! Lake Annecy attracts divers from all over the country, as well as tourists looking for an introduction to diving in this type of environment. The water is translucent (with a surface visibility of up to 20 metres) and clean, with an average temperature of 23°C in summer. This makes Annecy an ideal place for underwater activities, particularly snorkelling.

Observe the freshwater fish and seagrass beds at your leisure from the surface, while enjoying a pleasant moment with family and friends! Lake Annecy isn't just a great place to go flipping through flippers, but also for other outdoor activities such as stand-up paddling, wakeboarding and canyoning.

Browse our range of activities in Annecy and book your next colourful adventure!

8- The Basque Country, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

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The coastline of the French Basque Country, from Biarritz to Hendaye, via Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Guéthary, boasts some superb unspoilt beaches, perfect for snorkelling and diving!

Speaking of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Plage Lafitena is one of the most beautiful beaches on the coast, and not only is it perfect for surfers, but it's also a great place to take a PMT! In the wild beaches of Guéthary and its rocky coves, you can even spot octopuses, anemones and lots of small fish!

9- Quiberon, Morbihan

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Head for Brittany, where there are some snorkelling spots that are a must-see! If you're visiting the north-west of France, you can try your hand at snorkelling near the Gulf of Morbihan, and more specifically on the Quiberon peninsula between Lorient and Vannes. It's a unique opportunity to admire the rocky coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.

In fine weather, 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 Brittany's coasts will amaze you both above and below the water. Brittany is therefore an unmissable destination in our selection of snorkelling spots in France.

10- The Glénan Archipelago, Finistère

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As you'll have realised, Brittany's underwater world is also full of surprises! The last destination on our list of the 10 best snorkelling spots is the Glénan Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. This mythical place is made up of white sandy beaches and crystal 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'll find heavenly landscapes and diverse underwater ecosystems with endemic species. As well as the Glénan Archipelago, you'll find other very popular spots in the area, such as the Baie d'Audierne and Névez. In Brittany, as in the rest of France, there's no shortage of wonderful places to go on an aquatic trek 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 adrenalin, you can discover the most beautiful destinations for your first dive!