Porto Pollo Plongee

Porto Pollo Plongée is situated in the heart of the Gulf of Valinco, a twenty-minute drive from Propriano. The centre is ideally positioned directly on the port, meaning you are only ten metres away from the boats when you arrive for your briefing.

The area is defined by its dramatic underwater topography, ranging from steep vertical drops to complex rocky outcrops. With visibility frequently exceeding 25 metres, it is a prime location for those looking to explore the Mediterranean's rich biodiversity and colourful coral life.

The team is composed of Sylvain, Jérémy, and a group of professional instructors who bring extensive local knowledge to every dive. They operate from April to the end of October, providing a consistent presence for both local and visiting divers.

Instruction is carried out under the affiliations of FFESSM, CMAS, and SSI. The centre maintains a high standard of safety and individual attention, operating with a ratio of one diver per guide for all guided dives.

A comprehensive range of training is available, catering to everyone from absolute beginners to advanced divers. You can start with an introductory dive or work through the FFESSM/CMAS progression, including Niveau 1, Niveau 2, and Niveau 3.

For those following the SSI pathway, the centre offers Open Water Diver and various specialty courses. Technical and specialty training is also available, including Nitrox (Elementary and Confirmed) and the RIFAP qualification. Children can also follow specific programmes, including the Bronze, Silver, and Gold diver levels.

The centre provides full equipment hire for those not travelling with their own kit. This includes everything required for a complete dive, from BCDs and regulators to exposure suits and fins.

Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their no-decompression limits. The centre also facilitates night diving, with all necessary equipment provided for nocturnal explorations.

The marine life is defined by the impressive structure of the reefs. You will find a wealth of fixed life, including red gorgonians, black coral, sea anemones (Actiniaria), and various sponges. These provide the backdrop for large predatory fish such as groupers (Epinephelus), common dentex (Dentex dentex), and great barracuda.

In the rocky crevices and amongst the seagrass, you can observe moray eels (Congridae), salema porgy (Sarpa salpa), and various species of wrasse. Large dentex and brown meagre are also regular visitors to the deeper rocky plateaus.

For those with an eye for detail, the macro life is abundant. The sites host a variety of nudibranchs, octopuses, and diverse crustaceans, including spiny lobster. You may also encounter forkbeard (Phycis phycis) and smaller species of damselfish inhabiting the reef structures.

The diving season runs from April to November. The area is known for its clear water, with visibility regularly exceeding 25 metres during the season.

Some sites, such as La Vallée des Mérous, are known to be exposed to strong currents, requiring experienced divers with precise buoyancy and control. The underwater topography varies from shallow rocky peaks to deep, vertical walls.