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A mesmerizing underwater view of a school of fish swimming around a coral reef, captured by a diver.
📷 Leonardo Lamas · Pexels

Épave bacchi

Épave Bacchi is a wreck dive in France's protected Gironde Estuary marine park, accessible year-round with documented community video evidence.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · Parc naturel marin de l'Estuai… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
MPABoatOnlySeasonal

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Épave bacchi location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
6.7 kn
Wave
1.48 m
Water
19.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (33%)
Now: W (262°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 3.96m

Today: High 10:00 (+0.24m), Low 04:00 (-1.13m)

+1.5 m0 m-2.4 m
▼ 04:00 · -1.13m ▲ 10:00 · +0.24m ▼ 17:00 · -1.13m ▲ 23:00 · -0.02m Now -0.4m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.25 · mod Air PM2.56 · good 07:50 20:11
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 6.5 1.54 5 0mm
09-20 18 1.28 5 0mm
09-21 10.3 1.24 5 0mm
09-22 11 1.02 5 0mm
09-23 7.7 1.3 5 0mm
09-24 8.9 1.3 5 0mm
09-25 5.2 1.7 5 0mm

About this spot

Épave Bacchi is a shipwreck dive site located within the Parc naturel marin de l'Estuaire de la Gironde et de la Mer des Pertuis, a protected marine area on France's Atlantic coast. The site sits in the Gironde Estuary system, one of Europe's most significant coastal ecosystems. Being inside the marine park means the site benefits from conservation management, though divers must respect park regulations when planning visits. The wreck itself draws interest from technical and recreational divers exploring France's maritime heritage. The estuary environment creates unique dive conditions shaped by tidal flows and freshwater mixing from the Gironde River system. Three community videos document dives at this location, providing real-world reference for site conditions and exploration patterns. Access and exact depth parameters are not standardized in available records, so contacting local dive operators familiar with the park's regulations is essential before planning a dive. The site's position within a protected zone means permits or specific operational guidelines may apply. Year-round diving is reported as possible, though seasonal tidal patterns and visibility will vary with weather and river discharge.

📖 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

WreckBoat

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 · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 572km · ~132kg · €2

FAQ

Can I dive Épave Bacchi year-round?

Yes, diving is reported possible throughout the year. However, seasonal tidal flows and river discharge will affect visibility and site conditions. Check with local operators for current water quality before planning.

What are the depth and difficulty levels?

Exact depth and difficulty ratings are not documented in standard databases for this site. Contact dive operators experienced with the Gironde Estuary to learn site-specific conditions and required certification levels.

What marine life might I encounter?

The estuary supports diverse fish and crustacean species adapted to brackish and marine conditions. Local operators can advise on seasonal marine life activity and what to expect during your dive.

Are there access restrictions or permits needed?

Épave Bacchi sits inside the Parc naturel marin de l'Estuaire de la Gironde et de la Mer des Pertuis. Divers must follow park regulations. Confirm requirements and any permits with the park authority or local dive operators before your visit.

Verified marine species observations

82 records · 18 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Asterina gibbosa

Asteroidea · Asterinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×15records

Phorcus lineatus

Gastropoda · Trochidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×15records

Anomia ephippium

Bivalvia · Anomiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×7records

Steromphala cineraria

Gastropoda · Trochidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×7records

Haliclona indistincta

Demospongiae · Chalinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×6records

Pachygrapsus marmoratus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×5records

Nucella lapillus

Gastropoda · Muricidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×5records

Ophiothrix fragilis

Ophiuroidea · Ophiotrichidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×5records

Palaemon elegans

Malacostraca · Palaemonidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×3records

Ocenebra erinaceus

Gastropoda · Muricidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×3records

Athanas nitescens

Malacostraca · Alpheidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×3records

Porcellana platycheles

Malacostraca · Porcellanidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jan 2026
×2records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

épave Bachi 12 08 2022 sauvetage homard filet à 8'40"

jean marc Vay

P29 Boltenhagen — Plongée sur l'épave de Cirkewwa, Malte (36m)

Adrien Vidart

Homard sur l'épave du "Cornelis", dans le pertuis d'Antioche, au large d'Oléron

Sud Ouest
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Mar (0/100) Now: Sep (0/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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