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Pointe de l’Aiguille is considered one of the most beautiful snorkeling locations on the French Riviera. Located at the foot of the red cliffs of Esterel, it offers a turquoise sea where an exceptional marine biodiversity flourishes, highlighted by a short snorkel trail. Here you will spot not only common Mediterranean species (seabream, salema, wrasse…), but also rarer fish, such as brown meagre, scorpionfish or dusky grouper. A spot that is definitely worth a visit if you are visiting the area.
La plage et le sentier sous-marin de la Pointe de l'Aiguille
Pointe de l’Aiguille snorkeling area seen from the coast. Some 30 meters from shore, we can see buoy 3 of the snorkel trail.

How to get to Pointe de l’Aiguille snorkeling spot?

Pointe de l’Aiguille is located in Théoule-sur-Mer, about 25 minutes drive south of Cannes. This snorkeling spot can be reached in two ways:

  • By André Pradeyrol walk, which starts from the city center of Théoule-sur-Mer. This pedestrian walkway runs along the seafront for about 600m to Plage de l’Aiguille.
  • By Pointe de l’Aiguille trail, which starts from the Estérel Corniche (cliff road). From Théoule-sur-Mer, take the D6098 towards Saint-Raphaël. After about 1700m, park at the Parc départemental de la Pointe de l’Aiguille, which is well indicated on the left.

A path, with portions of stairs and dirt/pebbles, then descends to Pointe de l’Aiguille. Stop at the small beach at the end of the path, about 800m from the parking lot.

Pointe de l'Aiguille underwater trail snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling Pointe de l’Aiguille

If you are at Plage de l’Aiguille, we advise you to enter the water in front of the restaurant. A nice sandy slope makes the water entrance easy, and you will be in front of the first buoy of the snorkel trail.

If you are on Pointe de l’Aiguille small beach, you can enter the water wherever you want. You will be in front of the 4th (and last) buoy of the snorkel trail.

Pointe de l’Aiguille snorkeling exploration tips

Pointe de l’Aiguille offers a large snorkeling area, delimited by a line of buoys. It includes a snorkel trail, made of 4 big white buoys marking the location of the different environments. On each of them is fixed a panel with many pictures and explanations about the local underwater life.

By swimming from buoy to buoy, you will discover the diversity of the site: the Posidonia meadows (buoy 1), the rocky screes (buoy 2), the vertical walls (buoy 3) and the pinnacle (buoy 4). In terms of distance, there are about 200m to swim between buoy 1 and buoy 4.

Etoile de Mer épineuse à Théoule-sur-Mer
A blue spiny starfish found on the shallow scree.

You are of course free to follow the snorkel trail or not, but in any case, we advise you not to miss buoy 4, which marks a small pinnacle. Its vertical walls, covered with red sponges and yellow cluster anemones (Parazoanthus axinellae), are amazing.

In the shaded areas and at the foot of the pinnacle (↕12-15ft/4-5m), you may also encounter juvenile dusky groupers and schools of dozens of small brown meagre. You will have more chance to see them if you skindive a bit.

Poulpe sur le sentier sous-marin de la Pointe de l'Aiguille
Octopus is pretty common at this location, protected by a marine reserve.

The different environments found at this spot allow encountering a great diversity of marine species. The blennies bloom in the scree, where you can also be lucky enough to see a scorpionfish.

Wrasse, salema, damselfish and several seabream species are abundant in the whole snorkeling area. If you did not see meagre at the pinnacle, they are often seen near the shallower Posidonia meadows located halfway between buoys 3 and 4 (↕5-7ft/1.5-2m).

Corbs et sars à tête noire à la Pointe de l'Aiguille
An exceptional marine life gathers at the foot of the pinnacle. Here, schools of brown meagre and two-banded seabream.

Pointe de l’Aiguille is usually well sheltered, with no or very few currents and waves. Do not go outside the swimming area, as there is important boat traffic beyond the buoys.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Restaurant de la Plage de l’Aiguille is the closest food option. Along the André Pradeyrol walkway, there is also a fish restaurant, a crêperie and a pizzeria (250 to 400m walk from Plage de l’Aiguille).

 

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.