Hotel La Calanque
★★★★
★ 9.1/10 (807 reviews)
35 km away as the crow flies
Dive centre · Côte d'Azur · France
4.6536 Google reviewsEspace Mer
Explore the canyons of the Pelagos Sanctuary aboard a traditional wooden Brigantin sailing vessel.
What sets this centre apart
- Ideal location facing Porquerolles island
- Access to the Pelagos Sanctuary
- Traditional wooden Brigantin sailing vessel
- Water taxi service to Porquerolles and Port-Cros
- Specialised global diving travel agency
- Dedicated freediving instruction
- Wide range of nautical activities including kayak and paddleboard
For subtitles in English: start the video firstthen click the gearat the top right of the video, select “Subtitles/CC”, then “Auto-translate” and choose “English”.
Espace Mer about the centre
Espace Mer is situated on the Presqu'île de Giens, positioned perfectly for access to the waters surrounding the Îles d'Or and the Porquerolles coast. Operating from the Port de la Tour Fondue, the centre serves as a hub for both local exploration and international diving travel through its dedicated Océanes agency.
You can spend your time exploring the underwater canyons of the Pelagos Sanctuary, a vital area for marine mammal observation. Whether you are looking for a single dive or a multi-day excursion, the centre provides access to some of the most significant marine protected areas in France.
The club and its team
The centre offers a wide range of aquatic programmes, from introductory sessions for beginners to advanced exploration and formal training courses. For those interested in breath-hold diving, dedicated freediving instruction is also available on-site.
Instruction is provided in French, and the centre's location allows for easy access to various nautical activities including kayak and paddleboard excursions. For those looking beyond the local coastline, their specialised travel arm can organise diving holidays anywhere in the world.
The centre at a glance
- Affiliation
- FFESSM · CMAS
- Languages spoken
- French
- Website available in
- French
- Management
- French
- Dive schedule
- ouvert tous les jours jusqu'au 1er novembre
- Boats
- voilier traditionnel en bois (Brigantin), vedette rapide, bateau taxi
- Equipment rental
- supports maritimes techniques pour essai de matériel marin et sous-marin
- On board
- formules repas, activités aquatiques et terrestres en option
- Access and transfers
- au départ du port de la Tour Fondue sur la Presqu'île de Giens ou du port d'Hyères
- Address
- La Tour Fondue, 1 Chem. du Bouvet, 83400 Hyères, France
- Official website
- espacemer.fr ↗
Courses on offer
The curriculum covers a complete range of skills, starting with basic initiation sessions for those new to the water. For experienced divers, the centre offers exploration dives and various formal training programmes to advance your certification.
In addition to scuba diving, the centre provides dedicated instruction for freediving (apnée).
The boats
The fleet includes a traditional wooden Brigantin sailing vessel, perfect for those wanting a more classic maritime experience. For faster transit between the peninsula and the islands, the centre operates a fast motorboat and a water taxi service for trips to Porquerolles or Port-Cros.
On full-day trips, you can enjoy various meal options and optional land-based activities. The boats provide a platform for both technical diving and relaxed marine observation.
Equipment and gases
The centre provides technical maritime supports for testing marine and underwater equipment. For those who prefer not to carry their own kit, a full range of equipment is available for hire.
Beyond scuba gear, you can also rent kayaks and paddleboards for surface exploration along the coast.
Dive sites with Espace Mer
The Pelagos Sanctuary is a premier location for observing marine mammals. These underwater canyons are rich in food sources, making them a primary site for seeing cetaceans, particularly during the peak months of July and August.
The Îles d'Or offer navigation through the heart of the Parc national de Port-Cros. These protected waters are accessible to all diving levels and provide a unique look at a managed marine environment.
The north coast of Porquerolles, stretching from the Pointe des Mèdes to the Baie du Langoustier, is a versatile area for divers. It includes the Plage d'Argent, the Baie de l'Alycastre, and the Plage Notre Dame.
And some of the dive sites the centre runs.
Sanctuaire PelagosÎles d'OrPorquerolles
Marine life around Côte d'Azur
The area is renowned for its large pelagics, particularly cetaceans and other marine mammals that frequent the Pelagos Sanctuary, especially during July and August.
On the reefs and walls, you will find a diverse range of fish including common dentex (Dentex dentex), sea bream (Sparidae), and various wrasses such as the peacock wrasse and corkwing wrasse. Other common residents include damselfish (Chromis chromis), bogue (Boops boops), and saddled seabream (Oblada melanura).
For those interested in macro life, the seabed hosts a variety of crustaceans including spiny lobster (Palinuridae), crabs (Brachyura), and octopus (Octopoda). You can also find various nudibranchs, including the Dalmatian doris and blue doris, alongside various anemones and sponges (Porifera).
Diving conditions
The best period for marine mammal observation and sailing trips is during July and August. The centre operates daily until the 1st of November.
A question about this dive centre?
Hello, I'm Marina, DivingDeal.com's AI assistant. I answer in detail about hotels, dive centres and liveaboards.
Thinking about the whole trip and the flights? Talk it over with Edith →
Marina is an AI. Some links are affiliate links: DivingDeal may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Bookings are made with the partner.
