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Sentier sous-marin de la Palud

3.8 — based on 16 community signals
4.2 12 species 29 contributors

Sentier sous-marin de la Palud is a protected underwater trail in France's Sanctuaire Pelagos marine reserve, offering year-round diving access with documented marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Sanctuaire Pelagos updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAShore entryMacroFocusFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

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Sentier sous-marin de la Palud location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
14.2 kn
Wave
0.88 m
Water
25.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ENE (31%)
Now: NE (42°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.26m

Next: Low at 08:00 (-0.55m)

+-0.4 m-0.7 m
▼ 08:00 · -0.55m ▲ 14:00 · -0.48m ▼ 23:00 · -0.57m ▲ 01:00 · -0.56m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV5.65 · mod Air PM2.55 · good 07:18 19:37
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 14.6 0.92 6 0mm
09-20 5.7 0.36 5 0mm
09-21 6.4 0.34 6 0mm
09-22 10.4 0.16 6 0mm
09-23 17.2 0.1 5 0mm
09-24 20.6 0.52 5 0mm
09-25 22.1 0.6 5 0mm

About this spot

Sentier sous-marin de la Palud sits within the Sanctuaire Pelagos, one of Europe's largest marine protected areas. The site is named for its connection to Fort de l'Estissac and functions as an underwater trail rather than a single point dive. Because it lies inside the MPA, the area receives strong environmental protection, which benefits marine populations and visibility. The trail offers opportunities to observe documented marine species in their protected habitat. Twelve species observations are recorded at this site, giving divers a sense of what to expect below the surface. Three community-shot videos provide additional insight into conditions and what you'll encounter. Year-round diving is possible here, making it accessible across seasons. The protected status means regulations may apply—check local requirements before your dive. This is an ideal site for divers interested in marine conservation and protected ecosystems.

📖 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

ShoreReef

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 ↔ 1072km · ~247kg · €4

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Sentier sous-marin de la Palud?

This site can be dived year-round. No seasonal closures are documented, though conditions may vary by month. Check local dive operators for current water conditions before booking.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Twelve species observations are recorded at this location. Community videos and local guides can show specific species commonly seen on the trail. The protected status of Sanctuaire Pelagos supports healthy marine populations.

Do I need permits or certifications to dive here?

The site lies within Sanctuaire Pelagos, a marine protected area. Local regulations may apply. Contact regional dive operators or authorities to confirm permit requirements before diving.

What is the underwater trail like?

Sentier sous-marin de la Palud is an underwater trail rather than a traditional wreck or reef dive. It connects to Fort de l'Estissac and showcases the protected marine environment. Check community videos for visual reference.

Operators near this spot

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

Wrack 'Prosper Schiaffino' (Alias Donator)

9.5 km
Dive centre

Wrack 'Sagona' (Le Grec)

9.8 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Sentier sous-marin de la Palud (Port Cros)

Projets Langevin

snorkeling au sentier sous marin de la Palud à Port-Cros 2017

Maud Launoy

Sentir sous-marin à la plage de la Palud, Port-Cros

Stéphane C.
💬 1 top comments
  • Très belle vidéo. Avant de s'y rendre, cela permet de savoir quel équipement prendre. Merci à vous

    @arnaudcapitain760 · 👍 0

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Un signalement a été effectué par un utilisateur de l'application Cartes IGN : Titre : Parking payant / propriété privé Nom ou type de POI concerné : L'Estagnol Description : Payant pour tous les véhicules 13€ par véhicule Pour les bus 1€ par personne Également motos et vélos"

    Application Cartes IGN · 2026-04-22
  • "Ce navire n'est plus le Suffren mais la frégate Jean Bart depuis mi 2023"

    anonymous · 2025-03-13
wind peaks Nov-Jan-Mar, calmest May-Jun-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)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (86/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

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Wildcat

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