Riou Canyon

A submarine canyon cutting into the continental shelf south of Nice, Riou draws advanced divers for its dramatic geology and the pelagic life that aggregates along its rim. The canyon walls begin at around 30 metres and plunge beyond recreational limits; on the plateau leading to the edge, large dentex and amberjack cruise in open water while nudibranchs and sponges carpet every horizontal surface. The deeper sections hold cold, blue water with exceptional visibility. Mild drift conditions along the canyon edge make this an exhilarating dive for experienced open-water divers.