Aquadomia

Located at the Port de la Pointe Rouge, Aquadomia serves as a primary gateway to the diverse underwater topography of the Parc National des Calanques. The centre is positioned to provide easy access to the varied ecosystems of the Marseille coastline, from deep rocky walls to complex wreck sites.

As a 5-star certified centre, the facility operates as a professional training organism, bridging the gap between recreational certifications and advanced technical diving. Whether you are starting with your first Discover Scuba Diving or moving into advanced gas blending and rebreather configurations, the focus remains on precision and structured progression.

The instructional team is led by highly qualified professionals, including Vincent Défossez, a TDI Instructor and Course Director Trainer with MF2, BEES2, and DESJEPS qualifications. This level of expertise ensures that the centre can handle everything from basic skill acquisition to the most demanding technical instructor training.

Instruction is delivered through several major international and national bodies, including PADI, SSI, SDI, CMAS, and FFESSM. This multi-agency affiliation allows for a flexible approach, combining the structured methodology of the French system with the global standards of American training agencies.

The centre specialises in accelerated, bespoke training programmes. By offering private courses, they allow divers to progress through their training at their own pace, making it an ideal choice for those looking to complete intensive stages or professional-level certifications.

Aquadomia provides a complete spectrum of training, starting from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Diver through to Divemaster and Instructor levels. They offer certifications across PADI, SSI, SDI, and FFESSM, including specialized levels such as Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver.

The technical diving programme is particularly robust, offering TDI Trimix PTH70 and PTH120, as well as CCR rebreather training. Divers can also specialise in specific disciplines through courses like Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Nitrox certification.

Beyond core diving skills, the centre offers professional development in marine biology and underwater photography, as well as EFR (Emergency First Response) training.

The centre is fully equipped for both recreational and technical divers, offering Nitrox and Trimix support. They provide a range of professional training services, including specialised courses in marine biology and underwater photography.

For those travelling without their own kit, a variety of equipment is available for hire. This includes everything required for a full dive, from regulators and BCDs to wetsuits and fins.

The marine life around Marseille is defined by its rocky structures and deep drop-offs. You will regularly encounter large predators and schooling fish, including sea bass, common dentex (Dentex dentex), and various species of grouper (Epinephelus). Schools of silver seabreams (Sparidae) and dentic are common sights along the reef flats and walls.

In the gorgonian-rich areas and caves, look for spiny lobster (Palinuridae) and various species of moray eel (Muraenidae). The rocky crevices are also home to many crustaceans, such as squat lobbers and porcelain crabs, as well as octopus (Octopus vulgaris).

The seabed is beautifully decorated with red coral, purple gorgonian, and various gorgonian sea fans. These fixed species provide the essential architecture for the local ecosystem, alongside a variety of sponges (Porifera) and anemones.

During the summer, keep a watchful eye out for the sunfish, which can occasionally be seen in the area.

Diving in the Calanques is influenced by the local topography, with sites ranging from sheltered natural ports to open offshore islands. The area features significant verticality, with many sites presenting steep walls and deep drop-offs.

While many sites like the wreck of the Chaouen or the Dalton are accessible in relatively calm conditions, certain locations are more sensitive to wind and sea state. It is standard practice to monitor local conditions before heading out to more exposed sites like the islands of Riou or Planier.