Scuba Passion

Located in Port-Vendres, Scuba Passion operates from the heart of the Golfe du Lion Marine Natural Park. This position provides direct access to some of the most significant underwater features of the Côte Vermeille, including protected marine reserves and historic wreck sites.

The centre has been a fixture of the local diving community for 34 years, having been established in 1992. This long-standing presence has allowed them to become specialists in a specific niche: the wrecks that line the local coastline.

Whether you are looking for a guided swim-through in the reserve or a structured wreck dive, the centre operates from April to October. During the peak summer months of July and August, they also extend their activities to include shore-based dives from the beach at Bernadi in the Paulilles bay.

The team is composed of experienced instructors who manage everything from introductory dives to advanced certification programmes. Their expertise is particularly evident in their wreck diving specialism, where they have spent over two decades maintaining and equipping descent cables on local sites to ensure safer, more controlled entries.

They cater to a variety of diving needs, including groups and those seeking personalised programmes. The centre's long history in the region ensures that the instruction is grounded in a deep, practical knowledge of local conditions and site specifics.

The centre offers a comprehensive training catalogue, covering the full progression of diving qualifications. You can begin with Niveau 1 and progress through Niveau 2 and Niveau 3, or pursue international certifications.

Their programmes are designed to take a diver from their first breath underwater through to advanced technical competency, with the ability to tailor training to specific goals.

The centre operates two fast boats, designed to reach the offshore sites and the marine reserve quickly. These vessels allow for efficient transit to the various wreck sites and reefs scattered along the Côte Vermeille.

In addition to the offshore trips, the centre utilises the beach at Bernadi for shore-based dives during the summer months.

Scuba Passion provides a complete range of rental kit for divers who do not wish to carry their own equipment. This includes everything required for a full dive, from regulators to wetsuits and fins.

On-site, the centre maintains a dedicated inflation station to service cylinders. All equipment is subject to annual servicing in strict accordance with manufacturer recommendations and safety legislation.

The marine life around the Golfe du Lion is diverse, with many species congregating around the reefs and wrecks. You will often encounter various members of the Sparidae family, including gilthead seabream, salema porgy (Sarpa salpa), and zebra seabream, alongside common two-banded seabream and saddled seabream (Oblada melanura).

Predators and larger fish are a regular sight, including dentex, brown meagre (Sciaena umbra), and various species of grouper (Epinephelus), such as the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus). You may also spot great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), European seabass, and various species of wrasse, including ornate wrasse and corkwing wrasse.

In the rocky crevices and among the gorgonians, look for more secretive residents like the octopus (Octopus vulgaris), scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), and moray eel (Muraenidae). The seabed is also home to lobster (Homaridae), stingrays, and common cuttlefish.

For those interested in macro life, the area hosts a variety of colourful nudibranchs, including the purple aeolid (Flabellina affinis) and Chromodoris willani. The reef structures are further decorated with red Mediterranean coral, sea pens, and various soft coral (Alcyonacea) species.

Diving in this region is best experienced from April to October. The centre's location within the Marine Natural Park provides access to varied environments, though divers should always be aware of local conditions when heading offshore.

Shore-based diving in the Paulilles bay during the summer offers a different profile to the boat-based dives departing from Port-Vendres.