Do you dream of discovering the Atlantic seabed or the calm waters of the Landes lakes? Scuba diving in the Landes offers a wide range of experiences, from beginners' courses to explorations of the famous Gouf de Capbreton. Certified clubs, accessible spots and remarkable natural sites: here's everything you need to know to organize your first immersion during your vacation at our campsite in the Landes.
Key points to remember
- The Gouf de Capbreton, an underwater canyon just a few hundred meters from the coast, is home to some twenty species of marine mammals.
- Several FFESSM-certified clubs in Capbreton and Hossegor offer first dives from the age of 8.
- The lakes of Biscarrosse and Sanguinet offer freshwater diving sites with submerged archaeological remains.
- A first dive usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes and requires no previous experience.
- The south of the Landes, between Capbreton and Hossegor, is home to the majority of the department's diving facilities.
Gouf de Capbreton: an exceptional diving spot
Just a few hundred meters off the Capbreton coast, the Gouf is an underwater canyon that plunges to a depth of 4,000 meters. This geological phenomenon extends for almost 300 kilometers to the Spanish coast, creating an upwelling current that attracts remarkable marine biodiversity. Numerous species of marine mammals and sharks can be found here(Fondation de la Mer). Dolphins, pilot whales, bluefin tuna and even whales frequent these waters. The first slopes, between 20 and 60 meters, are accessible to experienced divers supervised by local diving clubs.
Diving clubs on the Landes coast
There are several scuba diving organizations in the Landes region, from introductory courses to advanced training. Here are the main clubs you need to know about.
Les Aquanautes and CASC in Capbreton
Established at Pont Notre-Dame since 2003, Les Aquanautes offers baptisms, training courses for beginners to expert divers, and explorations on the banks of the Gouf.
The CASC (Capbreton Aquatique Scaphandre Club), an associative club affiliated to the FFESSM, also organizes baptisms and training courses at several levels. Both clubs offer safe diving with state-certified instructors.
A l'Eau Plongée in Hossegor
Created in 2007 and affiliated with the FFESSM, the A l'Eau Plongée school is located on the Plage du Rey, near the Hossegor canal. It offers first dives from age 8 upwards, training from level 1 to level 3, and specialties such as Nitrox. The Hossegor canal, with a maximum depth of 9 meters, is an ideal site for first dives in the natural environment.
The Palme du B.O in Biscarrosse
La Palme du B.O., a club affiliated to the FFESSM, organizes dives in the Biscarrosse lake, at depths ranging from 3 to 20 meters. This is an interesting option for discovering freshwater diving in a soothing natural setting, far from ocean currents.
Advice from the Camping La Jaougotte team: If you're just starting out, the Hossegor canal and Biscarrosse lake offer ideal conditions, with little current and good visibility. For the more experienced, the Capbreton clubs organize outings along the Gouf, promising unforgettable marine encounters.
Diving in the Landes lakes: an unusual experience
There's much more to the Landes than the ocean.
Lac de Sanguinet, one of France's largest freshwater lakes, boasts an exceptional underwater archaeological heritage: five major sites have yielded some forty pirogues dating from the Bronze Age to the modern era.
The Musée du lac de Sanguinet exhibits some 450 objects from these excavations. Further north, Lac de Biscarrosse offers diving on submerged structures and seagrass beds. An original way to enjoy scuba diving in the Landes, far from the waves.
"For those who want to vary the pleasures, we always recommend a lake dive after a few days of surfing or biking: it's the perfect contrast between the energy of the ocean and the absolute calm underwater" - our campsite team.
Scuba diving in the Landes: how to get started
Baptism diving is open to everyone, with no need for prior experience. Here's what you need to know before taking the plunge:
- Minimum age: from 8 years old in most Landes clubs.
- Duration: approximately 30 to 45 minutes in the water, after a safety briefing on the ground.
- Supervision: a qualified instructor accompanies you throughout the immersion.
- Depth: between 3 and 6 metres for a first experience.
- Equipment: supplied in full by the club (wetsuit, mask, fins, bottle).
Spot Plongée, located in Capbreton, also offers first dives and snorkeling, as well as equipment sales and rental.
Would you like to explore the seabed on your next vacation in the Landes? Whether you're a curious beginner or an experienced diver, the Landes coast and its lakes have unforgettable discoveries in store for you. From our La Jaougotte campsite in Vielle-Saint-Girons, Capbreton and its scuba diving clubs are less than an hour's drive away (less than 50km). Why not book your stay and try your first dive?
FAQ - Scuba diving in the Landes
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about scuba diving in the Landes.
Where can you go scuba diving in the Landes?
Scuba diving in the Landes region is mainly available in Capbreton and Hossegor, where several FFESSM-certified clubs offer introductory and advanced courses. The lakes of Biscarrosse and Sanguinet also offer freshwater diving at depths ranging from 3 to 25 meters.
How old do you have to be to take up scuba diving?
Most diving clubs in the Landes region, such as A l'Eau Plongée in Hossegor, offer first dives from the age of 8. The child is supervised individually by a qualified instructor, at a shallow depth, for a safe discovery.
What is the Gouf de Capbreton?
The Gouf de Capbreton is an underwater canyon that starts a few hundred meters from the shore and plunges to a depth of 4,000 meters. It is home to exceptional biodiversity, with around twenty species of marine mammals and fifteen species of shark.
Can you dive in the Landes lakes?
Yes, it is possible to dive in the lakes of the Landes region, notably at Lac de Biscarrosse with the club La Palme du B.O. and at Lac de Sanguinet. These sites offer original freshwater diving, with the discovery of submerged archaeological remains and aquatic meadows.
Do I need to be able to swim to take a scuba diving course?
It's strongly recommended that you know how to swim for a first dive, even if it's not always compulsory, depending on the club. If you're comfortable in the water, you'll get the most out of the experience. Check with your chosen club to find out about entry requirements.
sources :
- Fondation de la Mer - Le Gouf de Capbreton : https://www.fondationdelamer.org/nos-actualites/le-gouf/
- Office de tourisme des Landes - A l'Eau Plongée : https://www.tourismelandes.com/activite/a-leau-plongee-ecole-subaquatique-landaise-ascaqu040fs000or/
- Ville de Capbreton - The wonders of the Gouf: https://www.capbreton.fr/le-gouf/les-merveilles-du-gouf.html