Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on July 31, 2023
The Calanque du Brégançonnet is a narrow crack in the rocks located in the south western side of Porquerolles Island. Even though water depth is important, there is plenty to see where the sea meets the granite cliffs. Underwater life thrives here and you will most likely spot dozens of wrasse playing in the surf and bright colored painted grouper.
Most boats to Porquerolles leave from the city of Hyères. Depending on the season, there can be up to 20 return trips per day (full fare 19.50€/adult). Boats leave from the Tour Fondue (Melted Tower in French!), they are operated by the public company TLV-TVM (find more information here). During peak season privately held companies also run trips to Porquerolles from a dozen surrounding cities such as Toulon, Le Lavandou and Saint Tropez.
Once on the island, take the track named piste du Langoustier towards Plage d’Argent. After about 1.2 km, take the piste du Brégançonnet on your left. You will have to walk for another 1.5 km before reaching the Calanque. The whole trip takes 30 minutes if you ride a bike (several rental companies are located close to the jetty) or one hour if you walk.
Enter the water from the Calanque’s tiny beach and swim away towards the cliffs.
Snorkeling here is most interesting along the rocky outcrops bordering the creek on both sides of the beach. The cliff standing out on your right when facing the sea is probably the best area for spotting fish. Water depth is too important in the central part of the Calanque (↕10 m) to be interesting for snorkelers.
While swimming along the rocky drop-offs, you will see an interesting variety of species thriving between the water surface and 2-3 meters beneath: painted combers, groups of damselfish staying still above granite rocks… Try to spot tiny red-black triplefin hiding in cracks and crevices. Common and ornate wrasse like this place, you will find them where currents created by the waves hitting the rocks are stronger.
As opposed to many mediterranean spots, there are no posidonia meadows to explorer here. You won’t spot either the fish species living in it (salema porgy), red starfish or noble pen shell, the seabed being too deep. If you’re looking for posidonia, head to La Palud beach (in Port Cros) or Calanque du four à Chaux (on Giens peninsula) instead.
The Calanque is quite small and can become crowded during peak season, making your snorkeling experience tedious. Be careful of waves when getting close to the rocks, they can be stronger than expected. Water depth is very important here: don’t explore this spot alone.
The Calanque du Brégançonnet is a natural site and you won’t find water or food on site. The nearest village (Porquerolles village) is located close to the harbor, 1 hour from the spot if you walk. Bring your own food and beverages and consider picnicking.
This reference identification guide includes all the 860 marine fish species that may be encountered while snorkeling in coastal Western Europe and the Mediterranean.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
