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With its islets and black rocks jagged by the waves, Cap des Mèdes is one of the wildest sites in Porquerolles. Located at the northern tip of the island, more than 5km from the village, it is unspoiled and seldom frequented. On the shallow rocky bottoms and in Posidonia meadows, snorkelers can spot a multitude of red starfish and a diversity of local fish.

Snorkeler observant les fonds marins du Cap des Mèdes
Cap des Mèdes snorkeling bay, with the Rochers des Deux Frères (Two Brothers Rocks) in the background.

How to reach the Cap des Mèdes snorkeling area

Cap des Mèdes is located at the northern tip of the island of Porquerolles, 5km from the village. From the village, you can reach the site by bike (about 50 minutes) or on foot (about 1:40). About twenty meters before the fort, a small path descends towards the cove on the left.

Cap des Mèdes snorkeling map (Porquerolles)

Water entrance for snorkeling Cap des Mèdes

Get in the water from the small gravel beach.

Cap des Mèdes snorkeling exploration tips

The Cap des Mèdes site is very extensive. It is advisable to stay in the shallow area between the small beach and the western side of the cape, about 150m apart (the area indicated on the map above).

Very experienced snorkelers and freedivers can consider swimming around the cape. The eastern flank of the cape is prohibited to any form of fishing. You can also reach the Rochers des Deux Frères, which is famous for their superb drop-offs popular with scuba divers.

Swimming to the islets should be considered only in perfectly calm seas, and with a buoy.

Etoile de mer rouge au Cap des Mèdes
Cap des Mèdes seabed is loaded with dozens of red starfish.

In the main area, you can explore shallow rocky beds and extensive Posidonia meadows (↕1-12ft/0.5-4m). Near the cape, pretty drop offs plunge into the blue (↕+20ft/6m).

Throughout the location, including in shallow areas, there are many red starfish. Common two-banded seabream, European seabass, salema (abundant above seagrass), East-Atlantic peacock wrasse and striped red mullet are commonly seen on this spot.

Banc de saupes sur un herbier de posidonie du Cap des Mèdes
Schools of salema are frequently encountered in the cove’s Posidonia beds.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

The Cap des Mèdes is a natural site, where there is neither water nor food. The closest restaurants and mini markets are gathered in the village, 5km away.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth15ft/5m
  • Water entranceFrom a pebble beach
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersLow
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyNo

MAP Spot

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.