Larvotto Marine Reserve

Established in 1976 and straddling the border between Monaco and Nice, the Larvotto reserve is the most protected stretch of coastline on the French Riviera. Decades without fishing have allowed dusky grouper to grow to trophy size and red scorpionfish to colonise every rocky ledge from the shallows to 40 metres. Yellow gorgonian fans line the sloping reef walls and sea fans crowd the overhangs where large morays reside year-round. The reserve is accessible by short boat ride from Nice or as a shore dive from Monaco's Larvotto beach.