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Rocher de la Garde (les Sardinaux), France

Stay in Sainte-Maxime: see the trip Its beds, the way there and every spot near it.

Also within 20 km of Sainte-Maxime

All 10 on Sainte-Maxime's map

About Rocher de la Garde (les Sardinaux)

A reef dive. It goes down to 35 m. You get in from a boat. It suits Open Water divers and up, as a dive guide states it. The coast faces SE: swell from the SE reaches it, and wind from the NW blows out to sea. 3 dive centres or shops within 10 km, the nearest 3.7 km away. The sea is about 14°C in February, its coldest month (7 mm semi-dry or a drysuit), and 26°C in August, its warmest (3 mm wetsuit). For Advanced divers the best months are usually January, February, March and April, with about 7 good days in 7. From the weather of past years. The town to stay in is Sainte-Maxime. Within 5 km we also list 2 surf spots, 2 wind sports spots and 5 dive sites.

  • What it is Reef.
  • How deep Down to 35 m.
  • Getting in From a boat.
  • Who it suits Suits Open Water divers and up, as a dive guide states it.
  • Dive centres 3 dive centres or shops within 10 km, the nearest 3.7 km away.

Facts: verified.

Dive centres nearby

The nearest named dive centres and shops within 25 km, in a straight line; training agencies where the map states them. Listings, not a recommendation. Dive centres: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Credits

Water about 21°C: 5 mm wetsuit. Typical sea temperature for the time of year, not a forecast.

Visibility about 15 m. Typical for the time of year, estimated from ten years of NASA satellite water clarity, not a forecast. Clearest in Jun, Jul and Aug (about 30 m).

This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives. Ask a dive centre before you book.

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Book the trip

From Chicago: about 18 h 20 door to door, one way. An estimate; the journey never changes the score.

  1. Fly. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE), changing at Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG). About 14 flights a week that month.

    See flights ORD → NCE · Skyscanner from about £440 returnAd

  2. Getting there. 1 h 20 from the airport to Rocher de la Garde (les Sardinaux).

    Car hire · Discover CarsAd

  3. Accommodation.

    Stay in Sainte-MaximeAd

    Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote.

    Room photos are examples, not these hotels (credits).

    See all places to stay on Booking.com →

    Closest towns to stay in

    Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote. Distances are straight lines unless a drive is given: a site out at sea is reached by boat.

  4. Hire and lessons.

    Dives and courses in Sainte-Maxime · GetYourGuideAdDive gear hire in Sainte-Maxime · GetYourGuideAd

Everything else for the trip

Where it is

Rocher de la Garde (les Sardinaux) on Google Maps · Directions

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One finger scrolls the page; two fingers move the map. Pins are our own positions. Map OpenFreeMap, © OpenMapTiles, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Forecast

Best on Sun 18: Sea 0.3 m. Wind 10 kn gusting 15.

The score for Advanced divers, coloured as on the area pages:GoodFairPoor

DayScoreSeaWindGusts
Sun 18Oct800.3 m10 kn15kn
Mon 19Oct311.6 m17 kn27knboats in
Tue 20Oct161.8 m20 kn26knboats in
Wed 21Oct631.1 m13 kn19kn
Thu 22Oct800.6 m7 kn27knboats in
Fri 23Oct800.5 m5 kn10kn
Sat 24Oct730.9 m15 kn25kn
Sun 25Oct800.4 m12 kn26kn
Mon 26Oct800.9 m1 kn10kn
Tue 27Oct800.3 m1 kn9kn

Day scores are the conditions out of 80, from the two best daylight readings: a morning and an afternoon dive. Sea is the open water's waves near the site, in metres. Wind and gusts are in knots (10 kn is about 19 km/h); "boats in" marks gusts that keep dive boats in. This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives.

The season

Good diving days in a typical week, each month, for Advanced divers, from 2016 on (ERA5 history scored the same way).

  1. Jan7of 7
  2. Feb7of 7
  3. Mar7of 7
  4. Apr7of 7
  5. May7of 7
  6. Jun7of 7
  7. Jul7of 7
  8. Aug7of 7
  9. Sep7of 7
  10. Oct7of 7
  11. Nov7of 7
  12. Dec7of 7

Typical, not a forecast: the sea and the mean wind of each day, with no gusts or rain in the history.

Rough cost

About £1,075–£2,025 each for 6 nights, 2 people sharing. A guide from typical prices, not a quote. Dives are not priced yet: we have no sourced price for a guided dive, so they are not in it.

  • Flights £440–£915
  • To the UK airport £35–£65
  • Hire car £105–£175
  • Stay £255–£425
  • Food £240–£445

Places to eat near Sainte-Maxime

Within 2 km of the town centre, listed by how complete the listing is (website, opening hours, cuisine) and whether two sources name it. Not a judgement of the food: we have no reviews. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Overture Maps Foundation. Credits

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