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Île d'Oléron & the Pertuis d'Antioche · France · Wall

Phare de Chassiron

Spider crabs crowd the rock below the island's northern lighthouse

A rocky drop-off below the Chassiron lighthouse at the northern tip of Oléron, falling to 30 m. It is a raw, rugged dive that makes a change from the flat bottoms found elsewhere around the island, and its rock is crowded with spider crabs.

Also known as Chassiron.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Phare de Chassiron: typical dive to 30 m (to 100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

46.0467° N, 1.4103° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

The dive follows a spectacular rocky wall below the lighthouse that drops away to 30 m, a raw profile unlike the flat ground of most Oléron sites. Spider crabs are everywhere on the rock faces of the northern point.

Marine life and season

The sources we used don't single out particular species here.

Month-by-month season rating for Phare de Chassiron
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairGoodGoodGoodGoodPrimePrimeGoodGoodGoodFair

Season follows Île d'Oléron & the Pertuis d'Antioche: The season runs from spring to autumn; summer brings the warmest water, while spring often gives the better visibility.

Know before you go

  • Tidal current and visibility need careful management, as on the other deep sites of Oléron.

Sources

  1. Sites plongée Oléron — Oléron Plongée
  2. Carte des épaves d'Oléron — Oléron Plongée
  3. Phare de Chassiron — Wikipedia

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