Snorkeling in Cap Ferrat: The Best Spots

Cap Ferrat is surrounded by clear water, rocks and meadows of posidonia seagrass. As far as we know, there's no marked underwater trail in the commune , but a handful of coves you can reach on foot are perfect for snorkeling.

What you'll see underwater

The seabed around Cap Ferrat alternates between rocks, sand and posidonia meadows. Near the rocks, in shallow water, you'll easily spot rainbow wrasse, comber, and black and purple sea urchins. A little further out, above the seagrass, shoals of salema and sea bream drift by, and it's not unusual to see a red starfish resting among the leaves.

Posidonia isn't seaweed but a flowering marine plant. It oxygenates the water, shelters young fish and protects the beaches from erosion. It grows extremely slowly: every patch torn up leaves a scar for years.

Spot no. 1: Paloma cove

This is the easiest spot. The cove sits on the east side of the cape, facing the bay of Beaulieu, sheltered from the open sea and often calm.

• Getting in: from either end of the beach, then follow the rocks that line the cove. The most interesting ones are on the right as you face the sea.
• Depth: 1 to 2 m close to shore, down to about 8 m further out.
• Watch out: a shuttle boat runs between the yachts at anchor and the private beach. Avoid the area around the jetty and don't stray far from the shore.
• Best time: morning. The cove falls into shade by mid-afternoon and visibility drops.

It's about a ten-minute walk from the port of Saint-Jean along the Pointe Saint-Hospice path. Parking is very limited.

Spot no. 2: Anse des Fossettes

At the end of Pointe Saint-Hospice, on the coastal path, the Anse des Fossettes is a small public beach of fine shingle. The rocks on either side and the seagrass beds offshore make it popular with snorkelers. Opinions differ on how easy it is, though: the cove is more exposed than Paloma, and some guides advise against it when the sea is choppy. Keep it for confident swimmers on calm days.

Allow around 20 to 25 minutes on foot from the port, following the Pointe Saint-Hospice loop (1.8 km in total).

Spot no. 3: the coves along the Cap Ferrat loop

The path around the cape, between the lighthouse and Passable, passes small rocky coves where you can get into the water. They tend to be wilder, unsupervised and sometimes exposed to the swell: only go when the sea is glassy, never alone, and pick out your exit point before you get in. The route is described in our article walking around Cap Ferrat.

Rules and good practice

A protected coastline

The entirely marine "Cap Ferrat" Natura 2000 site covers about 9,000 hectares off Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Èze and Cap-d'Ail. It protects posidonia meadows and coralligenous reefs in particular; bottlenose dolphins and loggerhead turtles visit the area.

Swimming zones and boats

In summer, a maritime prefecture order sets out buoyed areas along the commune's beaches, with zones reserved for swimmers . Stay inside these zones or very close to shore. A towed safety buoy is strongly recommended outside the marked areas.

How to behave

• Don't touch, feed or pick up anything.
• Don't stand on the posidonia or on rocks covered in marine life.
• Use mineral sunscreen or, better still, a UV-protective rash vest.
• Check the marine forecast: in wind or swell, visibility plummets and the access paths may be closed.

Gear

Mask, snorkel, fins, and water shoes for walking on the pebbles. A shorty wetsuit makes swimming more comfortable at the start and end of the season. For other activities in the area, see our guide to kayaking in Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Kayaking with Azurkay

A kayak is the best way to reach spots swimmers can't get to from the beach. Our Beaulieu-sur-Mer tour follows the coast of Cap Ferrat with a state-qualified instructor, in groups of 16 people maximum . It's a gentle way to explore the coastline while respecting the seagrass and wildlife.