Nestling on France's Atlantic coast, Royan is a seaside town renowned for its fine sandy beaches and modern architecture. However, what attracts more and more visitors is the richness of its seabed, making Royan a must-see destination for scuba diving enthusiasts.
With its varied coastline and clear waters, Royan offers a multitude of dive sites to suit all levels. Whether you're looking for colourful reefs, fascinating historic shipwrecks or encounters with a diverse range of marine life, the area around Royan has something for everyone during your stay with us. campsite in Saint-Georges-de-Didonne.
La Côte Sauvage
La Côte Sauvage, located a few kilometres north of Royan, is a paradise for nature lovers and scuba divers. Stretching over several kilometres of coastline, this region is characterised by its vast beaches of fine sand and steep cliffs. It's an unspoilt environment where marine biodiversity is particularly rich and varied.
The Grande Côte beach
La Grande Côte beach is a popular site, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and varied seabed. Divers can explore rocky reefs home to a multitude of marine species, from colourful fish and crustaceans to anemones and starfish.
The caves of La Palmyre
The La Palmyre caves, located near La Palmyre zoo, offer a fascinating playground for divers, with underwater rock formations and caves harbouring an abundance and variety of marine life.
La Côte Sauvage, in La Palmyre, It is easily accessible from Royan and is one of the Most beautiful dive sites around Royan. To make the most of your dive, we recommend you check the tide conditions and weather forecast before setting off.
Cordouan lighthouse
Located at the mouth of the Gironde, the Cordouan lighthouse, often referred to as the «king of lighthouses», is the oldest lighthouse in France still in operation. Built at the end of the 16th century, it stands on a rocky islet around 7 kilometres from the coast.
The area around the lighthouse is home to a exceptional biodiversity. Divers can discover a multitude of marine species, from fish to invertebrates. The waters around the lighthouse are home to sea bass, sars, sea bream and pollack. The rocky bottoms and crevices are home to anemones, sea urchins, starfish, crabs and lobsters. The geological formations offer stunning underwater landscapes with arches, caves and tunnels.
For diving around the Cordouan lighthouse, For more information, contact your local diving club, which organises special trips to this site.
The wrecks of the Second World War
The Royan region is home to several wrecks of ships sunk during the Second World War. These wrecks offer unique dive sites near Royan, a blend of history and underwater adventure.
Le Liberté
The Liberté, a French merchant ship sunk by German forces in 1943, lies at a depth of between 20 and 30 metres. Divers can explore the well-preserved hull of the ship, where a multitude of fish and invertebrates have found refuge.
The U-boat submarine
A German U-boat sunk in 1945 by the Allied forces lies at a depth of around 25 metres. This site is considered a technical dive site due to its depth and potential currents.
The Mine Hunter
An allied minehunter, sunk in 1944, lies at a depth of around 15 metres. The ship's structures are now covered in coral and algae, attracting a wide variety of marine life.
For dive these wrecks around Royan, If you're looking for a dive, check the weather and tide conditions, use appropriate equipment and dive with an experienced guide.
The Gironde estuary
L’Gironde estuary, the largest estuary in Western Europe, is an ecological crossroads where fresh and salt water mingle, creating a unique habitat rich in biodiversity.
Le Verdon-sur-Mer
Le Verdon-sur-Mer, located at the tip of the estuary, is a popular dive site thanks to its calm waters and rich biodiversity. Divers can explore eelgrass beds and sandbanks, home to numerous species of fish and invertebrates.
The islands of the estuary
The Gironde estuary is home to several small islands, including the’New Island and the’Patiras Island, These offer interesting dive sites with shallow seabeds rich in aquatic life.
To dive in the Gironde estuary, it is essential to plan dives according to the tides and currents, check visibility and dive with experienced guides.
Royan and the surrounding area offer a multitude of spectacular dive sites, each with its own unique characteristics and rich biodiversity. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, you'll find unforgettable diving experiences that will help you discover the hidden wonders of the Atlantic.