France · SNORKELING
There is always one free day too few. These 13 snorkelling trips are the ones that repay it, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes.
From Chango Diving in Nice, you’ll take a fast 10 to 15 minute boat ride to Villefranche Bay for about an hour of guided snorkeling. Chris, Adrian, Aurelie, or another certified instructor may lead your group, with masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, and flotation aids supplied.
“So much fun, lovely instructors and an amazing opportunity highly highly reccommend 😁😁”
Set out from Poseidon’s Nice office on a wooden boat, cruise along the Côte d’Azur, and stop for about 1.5 hours in Villefranche Bay near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. You can snorkel, swim, or stay aboard and sunbathe. Equipment and wetsuits are provided when needed, but you must swim unassisted.
“The guides were excellent and very friendly. Was shocked at how much time we got to spend in the water (about an hour). Amazing view of the coastline. The safety briefing was very informative but relaxed so we had a very enjoyable time.”
Meet the Hippocampe Plongée Calvi crew at the marina, collect your snorkel gear, then ride by boat to Pointe de la Revellata. You will swim in a sea-only-access spot, watch for fish and other marine life, and enjoy the rocky coast from the water. Swimming ability is required.
“Bra, men det var nog lite sent på säsongen (25/9) som vi gjorde turen. Det var mulet och lite kyligt, så vi frös en hel del, speciellt på vägen hem. Det vore bra om man hade fått låna ngt värmande att dra över sig, man fick ju inte ta med ngt eget i båten,”
Join a French and English-speaking crew at Fréjus port for a 2.5-hour cruise along the Estérel coast. You’ll see sea caves, volcanic cliffs, Agay Bay, and secluded coves, then stop for swimming and snorkeling. Guides including Lauren and Jacques have been praised for friendly service and clear English.
“It was a fantastic trip that fulfilled our expectations completely: a very friendly atmosphere, a guide that really took care of us who were the only non-French speaking guests, a high-standard big boat, a lot of nice views, and enough time for snorkeling/swimming/Stand-Up-Paddling. Recommendable!”
From POSEIDON Dive Center in Nice, you take a roughly 20-minute boat ride toward Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, then spend up to an hour snorkeling near the boat. Staff fit your mask, fins, snorkel, and wetsuit when needed, give instructions in English, and supervise the outing. You must be at least 12, swim confidently, and bring your own towel.
“A must-do activity in Nice! The snorkeling experience was wonderful. There was plenty of time to explore, and the staff were very friendly.”
Meet the Le Poseidon crew at Nice harbor, collect your mask, snorkel, fins, and possible wetsuit, then cruise by wooden boat toward Villefranche Bay or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. After a safety briefing, swim in shallow protected water and look for fish, octopus, starfish, and sea urchins. You must be able to swim without a life jacket.
“Beautiful experience. Would do it again. The setting is breathtaking and the actual snorkelling was fun. I saw lots of fish in the water and enjoyed a swim too. Loved it.”
From Sagone or Cargèse, join a maximum of 12 people aboard a semi-rigid boat for a 4.5-hour cruise along Corsica’s UNESCO coast. Expect Scandola’s sea cliffs, a 30-minute stop in Girolata, Piana’s red rock formations, the Omigna tower, and a swim with provided snorkeling masks at Capo Rosso. Captain-guide Emilie may lead the outing.
“Conditions météo parfaites. Paysages sublimes ! Une croisière en petit groupe sur un semi rigide permettant de s'approcher au plus près des roches : simplement extraordinaire 🤩”
Set out from Chango Diving in Nice for a short boat ride along the coast toward Cape Nice or Cap Ferrat. After a safety briefing, guides such as Chris and Benoit help you snorkel for about an hour among fish, sea urchins, jellyfish, and the occasional octopus. Gear is supplied, and wetsuits are available when needed.
“Boat trip, guide and sceneries were great. And fun to snorkel in the warm sea. Saw some fish and other sea life as well.”
From Ajaccio, cruise the west coast toward the UNESCO-listed Calanques de Piana and Capo Rosso aboard a small boat limited to 12 people. Expect red cliffs, sea caves, natural arches, and several swimming stops. Morning and afternoon departures are available, with skipper Lionel often praised for his friendly service and local stories.
“We loved every minute of this boat excursion. It was excellent. The boats are beautiful and it was a very enjoyable ride. Lionel was our guide and he was very personable and helpful. We were all English speaking aboard. We had a special full Read more”
Set out from Nice with a small group of up to 12 on a fast boat led by guides such as Paul, Leo, or Jean-Baptiste. You will cruise the Riviera coast, stop for about 30 minutes to swim and snorkel near Mala Cave, then pass Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche Bay. Snorkeling gear and life jackets are supplied.
“The experience is incredible , Captain Jean Batipste drives like a leader and knows how to entertain a group. I recommend 100%!!!Auto-translated”
Meet your instructor at Restaurant La Pinède in Cap d’Ail, learn to handle an underwater scooter, then follow the coast for 45 to 75 minutes of guided snorkeling. You’ll use a mask, fins, sun-protective clothing, and scooter while looking for fish, octopus, and sea urchins. Groups are limited to six, and instruction is offered in French and English.
“Super découverte ! Pas vu beaucoup de poissons mais c’est chouette comme façon de se déplacer sous l’eau !”
Meet at Port de la Rague in Mandelieu-la-Napoule at 1:30 pm for a four-hour boat outing. You’ll receive a wetsuit, fins, mask, and snorkel, then travel to the Lerins Islands or Esterel coast, depending on weather. A certified instructor gives a safety briefing, followed by about 90 minutes to swim and snorkel.
“Rien à voir dans la baie à part quelques poissons et poulpes. Quelques algues et cailloux à regarder pendant 3h. Sinon le trajet en bateau est joli.”
From Sagone or Cargèse, cruise to Scandola Nature Reserve, Girolata, the Gulf of Porto, and the Calanques de Piana. You’ll see Genoese towers, sea caves, red cliffs, and Monte Senino, then stop at Capo Rosso for swimming and fish spotting. The crew provides commentary, with English offered, though language delivery may vary.
“Excellent tour, in a very confortable boat with a very professional crew. The views were amazing, steep rock formations rising from the blue sea, bays and sea caves. All complemented with stops to visit a small isolated sea village and to swim in those blue waters. Perfect half day tour”
Pick a monument, a coastline or a cellar.
