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Divers exploring underwater wreckage during a deep ocean scuba dive.
📷 Maël BALLAND · Pexels

Le fer à cheval

3.4 — based on 11 community signals
4.1 11 species 14 contributors

Le Fer à Cheval is a year-round French dive site with 11 recorded species observations and active community video documentation.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
BleachingRiskShore entrySeasonal

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Le fer à cheval location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
11.1 kn
Wave
2.66 m
Water
25.9°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (25%)
Now: S (188°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.38m

Today: High 08:00 (+0.57m), Low 06:00 (+0.56m)

+0.8 m+0.4 m
▼ 06:00 · +0.56m ▲ 08:00 · +0.57m ▲ 11:00 · +0.59m ▼ 17:00 · +0.52m Now +0.6m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.6 · very high Air PM2.511 · good 05:49 17:52
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 11.4 2.9 9 1mm
09-19 8.7 2.6 9 0mm
09-20 8.3 2.02 9 0mm
09-21 8.9 1.68 8 0mm
09-22 6.9 1.76 9 1mm
09-23 7.3 2.6 9 2mm
09-24 6.8 2.6 9 1mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions

About this spot

Le Fer à Cheval offers consistent diving opportunities throughout the year along the French coast. The site has generated modest but steady interest from the diving community, with 11 documented species observations recorded to date. Three community videos provide visual reference for divers planning a visit, offering insights into conditions and marine life encounters at the spot. While specific depth and visibility data aren't catalogued, the site's year-round accessibility makes it a reliable choice for French divers seeking local alternatives. The location sits outside marine protected areas, allowing standard diving access. Current coral bleaching monitoring recommends staying informed about seasonal conditions before booking trips. Divers should verify current conditions with local operators and check community video documentation for recent activity reports. The modest species database suggests this is a working site with growing documentation rather than a heavily trafficked destination.

📖 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

ReefShore

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 · 49%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 15382km · ~3538kg · €64

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Le Fer à Cheval?

Le Fer à Cheval is accessible year-round, making it a reliable choice regardless of season. Check recent community reports and local conditions before diving, as water temperature and visibility vary by month.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings aren't documented for this site. Contact local French dive operators for detailed information on bottom depth, current conditions, and recommended certification levels.

What marine life has been recorded here?

Eleven species observations have been logged at Le Fer à Cheval. Review the community video documentation and species database for detailed identification and encounter frequencies at this site.

Do I need permits or MPA authorization to dive here?

Le Fer à Cheval sits outside marine protected areas, so standard diving access applies. Verify any local regulations with French authorities or dive operators before your visit.

Operators near this spot

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

Le fer à cheval

0 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

24 records · 16 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Nebrius ferrugineus

Elasmobranchii · Ginglymostomatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
29 Mar 2026
×1records

Etisus splendidus

Malacostraca · Xanthidae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Mar 2026
×2records

Trapezia bidentata

Malacostraca · Trapeziidae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Mar 2026
×1records

Halgerda berberiani

Gastropoda · Discodorididae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Mar 2026
×1records

Linckia guildingi

Asteroidea · Ophidiasteridae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Mar 2026
×1records

Parribacus antarcticus

Malacostraca · Scyllaridae
GBIF
Last seen:
26 Mar 2026
×1records

Shinobium trapezoideum

Malacostraca · Sesarmidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Mar 2026
×2records

Toxopneustes pileolus

Echinoidea · Toxopneustidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Mar 2026
×1records

Actinopyga varians

Holothuroidea · Holothuriidae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Mar 2026
×1records

Coryphellina exoptata

Gastropoda · Flabellinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Mar 2026
×1records

Grapsus tenuicrustatus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Mar 2026
×4records

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
28 Feb 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.

Plongée sous marine sur le Fer à Cheval en Méditerranée avec wb

Plongée sous-marine dans la grande Bleue

Cap Brun - Fer A Cheval

Wile Diver

PLONGEE FER A CHEVAL PAPEARI TAHITI 17/02/2013 PARTIE 1

FIL DEFER
wind peaks Oct-Jul-Jun, calmest May-Apr-Mar.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Nov (100/100) Worst: May (0/100) Now: Sep (0/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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