Scuba Diving in Monaco: the Two Clubs, Prices and How to Start

Monaco has only two places you can go diving from — and knowing that saves you a morning of searching. Both are non-profit structures affiliated to the Fédération Monégasque des Activités Subaquatiques (FMAS), both run boat dives along the coast between Cap de Nice and Menton, and they suit different divers. This page covers how to choose, what it costs in 2026 and what to bring. For the underwater side — the two marine reserves, the sites and the rules — see our companion guide to diving Monaco's marine reserves.

The two clubs at a glance

Prices are those published by each club for 2026. The CESMM warns that its dive fees can be adjusted with the price of fuel.

Académie Monégasque de la Mer (Larvotto)

The Académie is the easier door for a visitor. It is run by Pierre Frolla, four-time freediving world record-holder and coordinator of underwater activities in Monaco, and its centre sits right on Larvotto beach. It teaches scuba and freediving (it is best known for the latter), aquatic rescue and first aid, and runs summer camps for children and teenagers. The centre is open daily from 8:30 to 18:00.

Try-dives and snorkelling. Two formats, with equipment included:

• Weekdays, September to June: half-day sessions from 9:00 to 12:00 or 14:00 to 17:00 — try-dive €95, freediving taster €95, guided snorkel €50.
• Weekends, May to October: a full day (8:30–14:30) on the catamaran Pirates des Abysses — guided 45-minute snorkel, then a 30-minute individual try-dive with an instructor, €150. The same day with a freediving lesson instead costs €150; two guided snorkels, €75.

The first site is at least 15 minutes away by boat, so the trip doubles as a ride along the coast between Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer. Open to anyone aged 8 and over.

Certified divers. Exploration dives run all year, morning and/or afternoon, by booking: €75 for a weekday half-day, €150 for a weekend two-tank outing from the catamaran. If you will dive more than a few times, membership pays for itself quickly: €150 a year, then €40 per outing instead of €75, free use of the club's equipment and a pool session from November to April (Fridays, 20:00–21:00). A book of 10 outings costs €350.

Courses. The Académie trains to the FMAS scale, which mirrors the French one: from PE12 (supervised diver to 12 m, four technical dives, €600) through PE20 and PE40 to PA20, PA40 and PA60 (autonomous diver to 20, 40 and 60 m, €600–700). Each course includes two extra dives. Each step up requires a set number of logged dives after the previous level.

CESMM (Fontvieille)

The Club d'Exploration Sous-Marine de Monaco was founded in 1951, when Cousteau was making diving famous, and Prince Albert II is its honorary president. It is a club in the traditional sense: members, volunteer instructors, a calendar of outings, photo contests and participative science with the AMPN in the marine reserves (monitoring fish populations and searching for noble pen shells). Its two RIBs leave from the Fontvieille slipway: Le Pavé du Rocher (8.5 m, 22 divers) and Le Barbajuan (7.5 m, 20 divers).

2026 prices:

All courses require club membership and the FMAS licence. The CESMM is also the club that, according to the FFESSM, holds the authorisation to dive the chains of Port Hercule's semi-floating breakwater, which descend past 60 metres — a technical dive for experienced divers only.

Which one should you choose?

• One-off try-dive on holiday: the CESMM is cheapest (€65); the Académie's weekend catamaran day (€150) is the better outing for a family, since non-divers can snorkel.
• Certified visitor diving once or twice: the Académie, because equipment is included and you can book online.
• New resident who wants to dive every month: join one of the two clubs. The CESMM is cheaper per dive with your own kit; the Académie includes equipment and a winter pool slot.
• Freediving: the Académie, without question.
• Children: from 8 at the Académie, which also runs summer camps — see summer camps in Monaco.

What to bring

• A medical certificate of no contraindication to diving (under one year old for an exploration dive at the Académie, under three months to join as a member)
• Your certification card and logbook, whatever the agency
• Parental authorisation for under-18s
• For an early-season or winter dive, your own hood and gloves: the sea drops to about 14–15 °C in winter and reaches 21–25 °C in summer

Staying safe

Dives are run under French safety standards, which cap depth by level; no reputable club will take you deeper than your card allows. In an emergency at sea, the Monaco harbour master listens on VHF channel 12; on land, call 18 (fire and rescue) or 112. Allow 24 hours between your last dive and a flight.

Related guides

• Diving Monaco's marine reserves: Larvotto, the Spélugues and the rules
• Water sports in Monaco: activities, operators and prices
• Water sports: seasons, conditions and rules
• Larvotto beach guide
• Beach safety in Monaco