The Sanguinaires Islands sit off the west coast of Corsica in the Gulf of Ajaccio, forming a protected natural environment in the Mediterranean. The nine sites range from shallow seagrass bays and sandy coves accessible from the shore to deeper boat-only drop-offs and caves reaching forty-five metres at Balise La Guardiola. The Mario Wreck provides a shallow artificial reef option close to shore. Visibility at reef sites typically reaches thirty metres. Marine life includes bottlenose dolphin, leopard catshark, gorgonians, and marbled electric ray. Water temperatures warm considerably from late spring through summer and into October, making the season from May to October the most comfortable for diving.
Monthly water temperature across Sanguinaires Islands's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Temperatures rise steadily from May and peak in August, making a three-millimetre wetsuit comfortable for most of the main season. From November through April the water cools significantly and a thicker suit is advisable; the calmest and warmest conditions coincide with June through September.
6 operators
Water temperature around Sanguinaires Islands ranges from about 14°C in February to 24°C in August, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 24°C) a 3mm full suit is comfortable in Sanguinaires Islands; in the coldest months (about 14°C) step up to a 7mm or semi-dry suit.
Fin maps 9 sites in Sanguinaires Islands (7 scuba diving sites and 3 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
5 more sites to explore
Across Sanguinaires Islands's dive sites, May, June, July, August and September are most often reported as the best months to visit.
