Alpine Lakes covers three distinct sub-areas, Lake Annecy, Lake Geneva, and the Savoie Lakes, each offering freshwater diving and snorkelling across a wide range of site types. The topography shifts from shallow artificial reefs and seagrass beds through walls, canyons, and drop-offs to deep wrecks that demand advanced certification. Pike and Common Perch appear across the majority of sites, with Catfish, Burbot, and the elusive Freshwater Blenny adding character to deeper dives. Shore entry is the norm here, making access straightforward. Lake Annecy holds the largest concentration of sites, while the Savoie Lakes offer a quieter alternative.
3 areas
31Freshwater diving in the French Alps, with wrecks, walls, seagrass beds, and Pike on almost every dive.
8Freshwater diving on the French shore of Lake Geneva, with wrecks, walls, and calm beginner sites across eight varied dive sites.
5Alpine freshwater diving from shallow beginner lakes to deep technical cave systems, all accessed from the shore.
27 operators
Fin maps 44 sites in Alpine Lakes (36 scuba diving sites and 10 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both), organised into 3 areas.
Across Alpine Lakes's dive sites, June, July, August and September are most often reported as the best months to visit.
Pike and Common Perch are the most frequently observed species across the region, appearing at the majority of sites. Common Carp, Catfish, Sun Perch, and Burbot are also regularly sighted, while rarer encounters include Freshwater Blenny, Signal Crayfish, and Rainbow Trout. The freshwater fauna here is truly diverse, with well over fifty species recorded across the three lake systems.
Most sites in the region are rated beginner or intermediate, and shore entries make access easy at spots like Fosse Scubawind, Cité de l'Eau, and Cap des Séselets. However, a handful of sites, including Pierre à Bise and The France Wreck, drop to significant depths and are strictly for advanced divers. Operators such as Aquadif, Aquapassion, and Scuba Wind can advise on appropriate site selection for your certification level.
Lake Annecy holds by far the largest number of sites and the greatest variety, from the shallow artificial reef at Cité de l'Eau to the deep wreck of The France Wreck and the dramatic wall at Pierre à Bise. Lake Geneva offers a smaller but still varied selection, while the Savoie Lakes provide a quieter, less-visited alternative with sites like Chindrieux and Lac de Sollières. Each sub-area suits different skill levels and interests.
Shore entry covers the large majority of sites throughout the region, making Alpine Lakes particularly convenient for independent divers. Boat access is required for a small number of sites, notably Jet d'Eau and The France Wreck in Lake Annecy. Local operators including Dive Lyon and Aquapassion can arrange boat-based excursions to those sites.
