Islands destinationPort-Cros National ParkPort-Cros island | Mediterranean sea

Last updated on 04/23/2026 at 09:53 PM

The harbor of Port-Cros island

A bit of history

The Port-Cros National Park was created on December 14, 1963, making it one of the oldest national parks in France.

Another distinctive feature is that Port-Cros National Park is the first marine national park in Europe.

Geographical location

Port-Cros National Park is located near the Mediterranean coast, slightly east of the Giens Peninsula.

Posidonia seagrass meadows are considered the lungs of the Mediterranean

The Port-Cros National Park covers approximately 1,730 acres of land and 3,212 acres of marine areas.

It includes Port-Cros Island, Bagaud Island, and the islets of La Gabinière and Rascas. It also includes a marine zone 650 feet wide surrounding the various islands.

In addition, it manages 2,470 acres of natural areas on Porquerolles Island and works in cooperation with the management of natural areas on the Giens Peninsula and Cap Lardier, which are owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral.

Scuba diving

Due to its coastal location, the presence of renowned wrecks such as the Donator and the Grec, and its protected status, the Port-Cros reserve is a major scuba diving hotspot in France.

A school of barracudas in the Port-Cros Marine Reserve

A Mediterranean noble pen shell at a dive site in the Port-Cros Marine Reserve

A Mediterranean moray eel (Muraena helena)

In addition, the surrounding coastline and its neighbor Porquerolles Island also offer numerous dive sites.

You will discover the richness and diversity of marine flora and fauna, including posidonia seagrass meadows, noble pen shells, moray eels, schools of barracudas, and of course the star of the Mediterranean coasts, the dusky grouper.

Did you know?

The marine biodiversity of Port-Cros National Park is remarkable, with no fewer than 180 fish species, 265 crustacean species, 92 sponge species, 53 echinoderm species, 173 mollusk species, 3 marine reptile species, and 8 cetacean species.

Enough to amaze you underwater and leave you speechless !

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