Technical Diving Academy

The Technical Diving Academy is situated in Les Salins D’hyeres, positioned perfectly to access the marine protected areas of the Port-Cros National Park. This is a location defined by its depth and its history, offering a playground for those looking to move beyond recreational limits.

With over 20 years of experience, the centre has established itself as a specialist hub for technical diving. Whether you are looking to transition from open circuit to rebreather or are seeking advanced Trimix training, the focus here is on precision and technical proficiency.

The instructional team brings a unique level of expertise to the water, with members drawn from both civilian and military backgrounds, including the French Navy (Marine Nationale). This experience translates into a disciplined and highly professional approach to technical training and deep exploration.

Instruction is delivered in French, and the centre operates with a strict focus on safety and small group sizes, maintaining a ratio of six divers per guide. This ensures that whether you are undertaking an Intro to Tech course or advanced CCR training, you receive the individual attention required for complex profiles.

The course catalogue is extensive, designed to take a diver from the initial steps of technical diving through to advanced rebreather mastery. You can begin with Intro to tech or O’Dive, progressing through Nitrox and Advanced Nitrox before moving into the deeper realms of Trimix and Trimix Diver certifications.

For rebreather enthusiasts, the academy offers specialized training including CCR Air Diluent, CCR Trimix léger, and CCR Trimix normoxique & hypoxique. They also provide a CCR Discovery (Baptême CCR) for those wanting to experience the technology firsthand. Sidemount and underwater scooter training are also available, alongside Decompression Procedures.

The centre operates with a maximum capacity of six divers per boat, ensuring a controlled and focused environment for every trip. This small capacity is particularly beneficial for technical teams managing complex gas configurations or decompression requirements.

The shore-based facilities are built around a professional multi-gas filling station, capable of providing Air, Nitrox, Trimix, Oxygen, and Helium. This allows for precise gas blending tailored to your specific dive profiles and requirements.

For those who do not wish to travel with a full rig, a comprehensive range of technical equipment is available for hire. This includes cylinders, harnesses, dive computers, lighting, and rebreathers. The centre stocks high-end brands such as Garmin, APEKS, XDEEP, and BigBlue to ensure reliability during demanding dives.

The marine environment around Port-Cros is defined by its rich coralligenous reefs. These structures provide a complex habitat that supports a high density of life, from intricate sponge formations to various species of gorgonians.

In the rocky crevices and reef structures, you will find a variety of life including different species of moray eels and groupers. The biodiversity of the Mediterranean is well-represented here through the presence of diverse reef-dwelling species.

Macro life enthusiasts will find plenty to observe within the smaller habitats of the reef, where various crustaceans and smaller invertebrates inhabit the nooks and crannies of the coralligenous formations.

The area is characterised by the diverse topography of the Port-Cros National Park, which includes both deep walls and shallower reef flats. Divers should be prepared for the varying conditions that come with exploring these different environments.