Annecy-le-Vieux offers freshwater diving and snorkelling across a varied mix of walls, drop-offs, artificial reef structures, and seagrass beds on Lake Annecy. Shore access is the norm throughout, with sites ranging from very shallow beginner-friendly reefs to serious wall dives descending to considerable depth. Carp, Common Perch, Pike, Catfish, and Burbot are all regularly observed. The mix suits newcomers and advanced divers alike, though Pierre à Bise rewards those with the experience to handle deep drop-offs.
5 operators
Fin maps 12 sites in Annecy-le-Vieux (9 scuba diving sites and 4 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
6 more sites to explore
The most commonly observed species across sites are Carp, Common Perch, Catfish, Sun Perch, Pike, and Burbot. Tench, Roach, Freshwater Blenny, and Wels Catfish have also been recorded, though less frequently. Rainbow Trout has been observed at a small number of sites. All of these are confirmed observation-backed records rather than expected-range assumptions.
Several sites are rated beginner level, including Cap des Séselets, Charpignat, Tombant de Chatillon, and Les Baigneurs, all accessible from shore. These offer relatively shallow maximums and gentle conditions. Pierre à Bise, by contrast, is an advanced site with a significant drop-off and should be reserved for experienced divers.
The area covers a broad range of underwater environments. Walls and drop-offs feature at Pierre à Bise and Tombant de Chatillon, the latter also including cave and canyon features. Charpignat is an artificial reef, useful for training and wildlife encounters. Cap des Séselets combines reef structure with seagrass beds in very shallow water, making it the most accessible site for both divers and snorkellers.
Several operators serve the area, including Into the Blue, Deep CCR Tartiflette Team, Club de Plongée d'Aix-les-Bains, Club de plongée Aix Lac du Bourget, and Club Nautique de Chambéry. The presence of club-based operators alongside independent providers means both guided dives and club memberships are realistic options for visiting divers.
