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Roche Michel

3.8 — based on 16 community signals
4.3 12 species 34 contributors

Roche Michel is a year-round dive site in the Sanctuaire Pelagos marine protected area off France, with 12 recorded species observations.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers chasing chasing pelagics.

🐢 MPA · Sanctuaire Pelagos updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
MPAPelagic hotspotYearRound

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
10.7 kn
Wave
0.48 m
Water
25.6°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ENE (19%)
Now: NE (55°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Today: High 15:00 (-0.46m), Low 06:00 (-0.52m)

+-0.4 m-0.7 m
▼ 06:00 · -0.52m ▼ 09:00 · -0.54m ▲ 15:00 · -0.46m ▼ 17:00 · -0.47m Now -0.5m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.6 · mod Air PM2.55 · good 07:17 19:36
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 11.7 0.5 6 0mm
09-20 7.4 0.22 5 0mm
09-21 8.6 0.22 6 0mm
09-22 6.4 0.26 5 0mm
09-23 9.6 0.72 5 0mm
09-24 7.2 0.54 5 0mm
09-25 8.6 0.54 5 0mm

About this spot

Roche Michel sits within the Sanctuaire Pelagos, one of Europe's largest marine protected areas spanning the waters between France, Italy, and Monaco. The site attracts divers seeking encounters with pelagic wildlife in a formally protected zone. The underwater topography and ecology support diverse marine life, documented across 12 species observations shared by the diving community. Divers visiting Roche Michel benefit from year-round access in a region with strong conservation mandates. The protected status means strict regulations govern anchoring, fishing, and other extractive activities, which supports marine populations. The area's position in the Mediterranean means relatively stable conditions throughout the calendar year, though seasonal variations affect visibility and marine activity. Community videos and species data from visiting divers provide valuable insights into what to expect. Local dive operators familiar with Sanctuaire Pelagos protocols can advise on current conditions, wildlife encounters, and MPA compliance. The protected designation underscores the ecological value of the site and the importance of responsible diving practices.

📖 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

Pelagic / blue water

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 ↔ 1056km · ~243kg · €4

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Roche Michel?

Roche Michel is accessible year-round. Mediterranean conditions remain relatively stable throughout the year, though water temperature and visibility may vary seasonally. Check local conditions before booking.

What marine life can I see at Roche Michel?

Twelve species have been documented at the site by the diving community. Community videos and species observations are available online to help you learn what wildlife inhabits the area. Pelagic species are typical for this region of the Sanctuaire Pelagos.

What permits or rules apply to diving here?

Roche Michel lies within the Sanctuaire Pelagos marine protected area. Divers must follow MPA regulations, which restrict anchoring and fishing. Work with a local operator who understands current compliance requirements.

How deep is Roche Michel and what is the difficulty level?

Specific depth and difficulty data for Roche Michel are not currently documented. Contact local dive operators near the Sanctuaire Pelagos for detailed site information and recommendations based on your experience level.

Operators near this spot

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

H2O

4.9 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 8:00-12:30,14:00-19:00

Cap Camarat Plongée

8.1 km
Dive centre
Hours: 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-17:00

Rabiou, La Cathédrale

0.6 km
Dive centre

Rabiou, Arche

0.8 km
Dive centre

La Palanquée

4.4 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

2 records · 2 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Argna biplicata

Gastropoda · Argnidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Helleria brevicornis

Malacostraca · Tylidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

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 sur LA ROCHE MICHEL, France, 2023

Eden Fluide

Zone de chasse sous-marine de la Roche Plate Saint-Michel (22-Erquy)

web média lechasseursousmarin
💬 1 top comments
  • Bonjour, bonne zone pour la csj ? il me semble

    @lifesmeaning5797 · 👍 0

Plongée avec les photographes sous-marins à Cap Caveau

Aurelien
wind peaks Mar-Nov-Dec, calmest Jun-Oct-Aug, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

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