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Three scuba divers explore a colorful coral reef, showcasing marine life and underwater adventure.
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Boué Bora

4.0 — based on 21 community signals
4.2 12 species 22 contributors

Boué Bora is a year-round dive site in France's Calanques National Park, featuring a historic chapel and diverse marine life in protected waters.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Parc national des Calanques (a… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAShore entryPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

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Boué Bora location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
8.3 kn
Wave
0.72 m
Water
22.2°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WSW (20%)
Now: NW (319°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.24m

Next: Low at 07:00 (-0.58m)

+-0.4 m-0.7 m
▼ 07:00 · -0.58m ▼ 09:00 · -0.59m ▲ 15:00 · -0.5m ▼ 17:00 · -0.51m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.35 · mod Air PM2.54 · good 07:22 19:41
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 9.8 0.72 5 0mm
09-20 4.9 0.16 5 0mm
09-21 6.1 0.42 6 0mm
09-22 6.4 0.18 6 0mm
09-23 10.7 0.04 6 0mm
09-24 5.8 0.08 5 0mm
09-25 7.1 0.26 5 0mm

About this spot

Boué Bora sits within the Parc national des Calanques, one of France's most carefully managed marine environments. The site centers on the Chapel of Saint-Édouard de la Madrague, a unique underwater landmark in the Bouches-du-Rhône region. Divers exploring this protected area encounter a variety of marine species in conditions shaped by the Mediterranean's seasonal rhythms. The location benefits from year-round access, making it flexible for travel planning. The site's designation within the national park's membership area means it operates under strict environmental protocols designed to preserve the ecosystem. This protection has helped maintain diverse species populations that divers regularly observe and document. Community contributions show active diver engagement at Boué Bora, with multiple video records and species observations. These records indicate consistent sightings across different seasons and conditions, building a reliable picture of what to expect. The 12 documented species observations provide a solid reference point for marine life encounters. Divers planning a visit should check current regulations with the Parc national des Calanques, as protected areas sometimes have access restrictions or seasonal guidelines. The chapel landmark serves as an excellent navigation reference and cultural point of interest that sets this dive apart from other Mediterranean sites.

📖 Guide: Diving in France: 220 Sites From Alpine Lakes to Tropical Reefs

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/E/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1014km · ~233kg · €4

FAQ

Can I dive Boué Bora year-round?

Yes, Boué Bora is accessible year-round. Plan your trip based on personal comfort with Mediterranean water temperatures and seasonal weather conditions rather than site closures.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve documented species observations are available from community records at Boué Bora. Review recent dive logs and videos posted by other divers to see current species activity before your visit.

What permits or restrictions apply?

Boué Bora is located within the Parc national des Calanques membership area. Check directly with the park for current access requirements, dive guidelines, and any seasonal restrictions before planning your dive.

What is the main feature?

The Chapel of Saint-Édouard de la Madrague is the site's defining landmark, providing both a cultural and navigational reference point for divers in the Bouches-du-Rhône.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Atoll Plongée

2 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-20:00

UCPA Cap Croisette

2.8 km
Dive centre

Marseille Côté Mer Plongée (MCMP)

6.3 km
Dive centre

L'atelier de la mer

1.5 km
Dive centre

CMCAS Plongée

1.6 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

BORA BORA's Eagle Ray Ballet: Dynamic 30-Min Dive at Toopua (w/ Fish ID!)

Talk to the Fish

Scuba Diving Bora Bora, French Polynesia (4K)

The Worldly Wanderer
💬 3 top comments
  • Bora Bora is my favourite island!

    @grimbread3731 · 👍 2
  • VERY HELPFULL

    @WTLprod1Mac1 · 👍 0
  • Great Video 👍🏿 Bora Bora

    @TravelQuintessence · 👍 0

B32 - DIVING IN BORA BORA

Shaima Hylas 63
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Apr (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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