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Home to a rich freshwater ecosystem, Cap des Séselets is one of the best snorkeling spots in Lake Bourget. Around the aquatic plants and on the edge of the reeds, many fish such as perch, catfish, trench and freshwater blenny are found. All of this is in shallow waters, and with easy beach access.

Vue sur la zone de snorkeling du Cap des Séselets
View over Cap des Séselets recommended snorkeling area.

How to go snorkeling at Cap des Séselets

Cap des Séselets is located in Viviers-du-Lac, south of Lac du Bourget. It is accessed by the D1201, which runs along the shores of the lake to the south of Aix-les-Bains. A small car park with around 30 spaces (location here) has been set up facing the beach, but it is often full in summer. A second car park is available a little further south, near La Maison des Pêcheurs hotel (location here).

Cap des Seselets snorkeling map, Bourget Lake

Water entrance for snorkeling Lake Bourget et Cap des Séselets

You can get in the water either from Cap des Séselets beach, or from a second beach a few hundred meters further south, near La Maison des Pêcheurs.

Cap des Séselets snorkeling exploration tips

The best snorkeling is found in the little cove just south of Cap des Séselets. Here the lakebed forms a gentle, shallow slope (↕2-5ft/0.5-1.5m), perfect for observing the aquatic life from the surface of the water.

Banc de petits poissons-chats au Cap des Séselets
Schools of small black bullhead are a common sightings near the reeds beds.

On this spot, you can discover a variety of lakebeds, including rocks, aquatic plants (see map), reed beds, and expanses of sand and mud. You can easily see perch everywhere, one of the most common lake fish. The freshwater blenny appreciates rocky areas, where it can hide in case of danger.

Roaches and tench are also regularly seen here. Schools of hundreds of small black bullhead find shelter on the reeds edges in spring and summers.

Tanche au Cap des Séselets
Large-sized tench are occasionally seen feeding on muddy beds.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

There are several restaurants near the spot, including Les Rives du Lac restaurant at Cap des Séselets (on the other side of the road) and La Maison des Pêcheurs (which is also a hotel) near the small port.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth6ft/2m
  • Water entranceFrom pebble beaches or rocks
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersMedium
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.