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A diver underwater with a yacht on the surface, showcasing split-level photography. Ideal for marine adventure themes.
📷 Maël BALLAND · Pexels

Le Dalton

3.8 — based on 15 community signals
4.3 12 species 34 contributors

Le Dalton is a year-round dive site near Marseille, France, located in the protected Calanques National Park core zone.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Parc national des Calanques (c… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAFamily-friendlyShore entry

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Common octopus

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Le Dalton location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
9.7 kn
Wave
0.7 m
Water
22.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NNW (16%)
Now: N (10°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Today: High 14:00 (-0.51m), Low 05:00 (-0.57m)

+-0.5 m-0.7 m
▼ 05:00 · -0.57m ▼ 08:00 · -0.59m ▲ 14:00 · -0.51m ▼ 00:00 · -0.61m Now -0.5m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.35 · mod Air PM2.53 · good 07:22 19:42
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 14.3 0.7 5 0mm
09-20 11.5 0.28 5 0mm
09-21 7 0.64 6 0mm
09-22 6.8 0.46 6 0mm
09-23 10.7 0.66 6 0mm
09-24 5.8 0.4 5 0mm
09-25 7.1 0.36 5 0mm

About this spot

Le Dalton sits in the heart of Parc national des Calanques, one of France's most carefully protected marine zones. The site draws divers to explore a rich underwater landscape shaped by the dramatic geology of the Planier area near Marseille. Access is straightforward for divers based in or visiting the Provence region, with established dive operators familiar with the site's conditions and regulations. Diving here means respecting strict protection rules that keep the ecosystem intact. The national park status ensures minimal fishing pressure and healthy marine populations. Twelve documented species observations confirm solid biodiversity for the area. The protected waters support a stable ecosystem year-round, making Le Dalton reliable across all seasons. Three community-submitted videos show what to expect underwater and help divers plan their approach. The site rewards divers who respect park boundaries and follow local guidance. Visibility, depth, and water temperature vary with season, so checking recent reports before your visit gives you the best preparation. Marseille's dive community knows these waters well and can brief you on current conditions.

📖 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

Marine life

Common octopus

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 · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 1014km · ~233kg · €4

FAQ

Is Le Dalton good year-round?

Yes. Located in the Calanques National Park core zone near Marseille, Le Dalton is diveable throughout the year. Water temperature and visibility shift seasonally, so check current conditions with local operators before booking.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty data are not available for Le Dalton. Contact dive operators in Marseille who work this site regularly for accurate briefing on your intended profile.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations are recorded for this site, reflecting the healthy biodiversity of the protected Calanques core zone. Expect typical Mediterranean species, but check recent community videos and local reports for seasonal variations.

Do I need permits or special access?

Le Dalton is in Parc national des Calanques, a strictly protected marine reserve. All diving must follow park regulations. Work with an authorized local operator familiar with current rules and access procedures.

Operators near this spot

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

UCPA Cap Croisette

8.8 km
Dive centre

Centre de Loisirs des Goudes

9.6 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving in Marseille, FRANCE

Jean-Marc Thimon

Plongée Planier - Le Dalton - octobre 2018

Blue Dream Team

Plongée au Frioul - Le Dalton

PLONGEE PASSION
💬 1 top comments
  • Oui c'est sur l'ile du Plannier. Le frioul étant l'ile habitable la plus proche.

    @AlainDEBUISSON · 👍 0

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "EN: Check if this path really exists. FR : vérifier si ce chemin existe réellement."

    Randomfra · 2022-07-27
  • "EN: parts of this path which cannot be taken neither by bicycle or horse should be tagged as footway instead of path FR : les parties de ce chemin qui ne peuvent être empruntées ni à vélo, ni à cheval devraient être tagguées comme footwat au lieu de path"

    Randomfra · 2022-07-27
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (91/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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