Plage des Fontaines in Arcachon Bay offers a sheltered reef environment suitable for beginner snorkellers. The site features a rocky seabed with depths ranging from 2 to 8 metres, averaging 5 metres. Access is via the shore, and the area is generally protected from prevailing winds, resulting in mild currents. Water temperatures are cool, fluctuating between 10C and 20C throughout the year. Species recorded around this area include wrasses, conger eels, striped red mullet, sea stars, tompot blennies, cod, sea squirts, snails, sea cucumbers, and triplefins. Facilities at the site include parking, showers, and toilets.

Ours des Sabias in Arcachon Bay features two large rock formations known as The Bears. A small underwater wall connects these rocks, offering vertical surfaces for exploration. The site is suitable for beginners, with depths ranging from 1m to 12m and an average depth of 6m. Divers typically experience mild currents during 45-minute dives. Access is via a shore entry located 600m from the coast. Water temperatures vary throughout the year, ranging from 10C in February to 19C in August. Parking is available for visitors. Please be aware of sharp coral present at the site.

The Yusenquashia Maru is a shipwreck located in Arcachon Bay, resting at depths between 6 and 15 metres with an average depth of 10 metres. This site is accessible only by boat and is suited for intermediate divers. Conditions include a mild current and visibility of approximately 5 metres. Divers should be prepared for surge and swell, which can make entry and exit technical. Due to active boat traffic in the area, it is essential to deploy a delayed surface marker buoy upon ascent. Air fills and boat charters are available locally to support dives, which typically last around 45 minutes.

Anse des Soux in Arcachon Bay offers a varied underwater landscape featuring natural stone arches and small grottos. This site is suitable for beginners, with depths ranging from the surface down to 12 metres. Access is via the shore, where snorkelers should be aware of potential surf and rip currents. Water temperatures are notably colder than on the mainland, fluctuating between 10C and 20C throughout the year. Species recorded around this area include wrasses, conger eels, striped red mullet, sea stars, tompot blennies, cod, snails, sea squirts, triplefins, and sea cucumbers.

Ours des Vieilles is a shallow reef located 600 metres offshore in Arcachon Bay. This site is well-suited to beginner divers, offering a relaxed environment with mild currents and depths ranging from 4 to 16 metres, with an average of 10 metres. Visibility typically spans 7 to 10 metres, allowing for clear observation of the reef topography. The site is accessible year-round by boat and permits night diving. Due to water temperatures ranging from 10 to 18 degrees Celsius, a thick wetsuit of at least 7mm or a drysuit is recommended for dives outside of the summer months.

Anse des Broches is a wild, secluded cove situated on the northwest coast of the island near Pointe du But. This site is suited for advanced snorkellers due to its open ocean exposure, which often results in challenging conditions. Access is via the shore. Water temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, ranging from 10C in February to 20C in August. Given the exposed nature of the location, visitors should be prepared for variable sea states and currents typical of the Atlantic Coast. The site offers a rugged, natural environment for those experienced in navigating open coastal waters.

The SS Anglo-Patagonian is a deep wreck dive located in Arcachon Bay, France. Resting at a maximum depth of 45 metres, this site is accessible by boat only and is reserved for advanced divers. The wreck structure presents significant entanglement risks, requiring careful navigation and the use of a cutting tool. Divers should be prepared for variable visibility and shifting currents, which can change between tides. Water temperatures are cold, ranging from 9C to 15C throughout the year, necessitating appropriate thermal protection. The site supports a variety of marine life typical of the region, including various reef fish and invertebrates that have colonised the structure.

The Sequana is a wreck and artificial reef located off the Atlantic Coast of France in Arcachon Bay. The site sits at depths ranging from 25 to 47 metres, requiring boat access and intermediate to advanced diving skills. Visibility typically ranges between 5 and 10 metres, and divers should expect mild currents. Due to the significant depth, careful management of decompression obligations and nitrogen narcosis is essential. The wreck structure presents entanglement risks, so penetration requires thorough planning. Divers should use a surface marker buoy and a dive computer with decompression capability. Guided tours are available from local operators based on Île d'Yeu.