Diving in France???

[flippers55]

Hi there ,does anyone know of any descent shore diving and/or boat diving around the narbonne/beziers area and if so is it worth a look ??????
Thanks .

[Chris Cherrington]

The best area in that vicinity is Cap D'Agde IMO. There are several outlets in the area and if wrecks are your thing try Abyss. They do general stuff too and are pretty decent.

http://www.abyssplongee.com/

Off the beach is not so good. There is a snorkel route off Cap D'Agde (sentier sous marine) and its not too bad - worth a try if you don't fancy the bother of getting the kit out. There's a scuba shop just next to the beach if you want to rent a tank etc. Lots of Dorade and small reef fish. Nice beach and the restaurant nearby is decent too. Parking 50m away

http://www.en.capdagde.com/file-introduction_activite-830-UK-L-3SENTIER-activites.html

For France generally you need a CMAS ticket (BSAC will do but get the CMAS card or a stamp in the QRB with CMAS on it) You need 3rd party insurance (BSAC has this as part of the membership so get a certificate from HQ) Also you need an up-to-date medical and for France that means less than a year old. UK medical is fine.

Generally the diving is OK in Cap D'Agde and from there westward. Going East the vis drops off as you approach the Rhone. There are cave dives in the area if you are qualified and speak some French.

On the whole I would say its well worth getting a medical if you're headed this way. Dives are about €30 with all the kit thrown in so don't worry about bringing anything with you if you are short of space on the trip down.

More "serious" stuff (for CMAS 3 star [AD] and over) can be found round Marseille but TBH its not worth the faff if you are having a nice holiday and just want a cheeky dive or two.

Try Abyss first, but there are about 6 other operators in Cap D'Adge and they will all help you out with a basic reef dive or two. Eastward try Sete and west try Port Leucate. Further west there is Argeles sur Mere, better, but not worth the extra diesel and traffic hassle IMHO.

Give me a shout if you want more info

Chris

[flippers55]

Hey thanks very much youve been realy helpfull,ive heard of abyss so will give them a try......next time i might spell FRANCE right .
Thanks .
Martyn.

[Chris Cherrington]

.....next time i might spell FRANCE right .
....

No one is perfect :D :D

[flippers55]

Hi chris ,i also didnt mention that i am a bsac sports diver and have a cmas card around somewhere from when i went to france many years ago,but my partner is only a ocean diver do you know if this is going to be a problem even if she takes her logbook with her ????????
Thanks .

[Chris Cherrington]

Ocean diver is CMAS 1 star (OK to 20m with a guide) SD is CMAS 2 star 20m no guide or up to 40m with guide.

So you will be OK but the shop will put someone with you.

Chirs

[allen]

Also you need an up-to-date medical and for France that means less than a year old. UK medical is fine.

On the whole I would say its well worth getting a medical if you're headed this way.
Chris

I assume this means that they won't accept self-declaration?

[Chris Cherrington]

I assume this means that they won't accept self-declaration?

No. A PADI medical form signed by a doctor will do OK, or the UK sport diver medical - the standard BSAC one.

You can get a medical easily in France (cheaper too) but you need a sports' doctor (medecine du sport) But if you can't get an appointment quickly and your French is ropey the UK one is a better bet.

Some dive operators might not bother to check them, some might not even ask but in my experience its generally a sticking point, particularly if you just drop in somewhere and ask if they have spaces. We carry our meds, CMAS cards and DAN insurance for anywhere "new" If you have dived with an outfit before they often will not bother to look again, even years later - they just assume you have renewed the meds.

Chris