Nice Côte d’Azur : Sea, Biodiversity & Awareness

When you think of Nice Côte d’Azur, you immediately think of the turquoise blue of the Mediterranean, sun-drenched beaches, palm trees dancing in the gentle breeze and suspended moments, with your feet in the water or a drink on your hand… But here, holidays go far beyond the image. Choosing Nice Côte d’Azur means discovering a region where the sea is cared for as much as it is admired. A place where respect, sharing and wonder go hand in hand. Get ready to dive into an ocean of happiness… with a clear consciousness!

A sea to love, a sea to preserve

Here, the sea is more than just a picture-postcard backdrop. Fragile and precious, it is a living heritage that we must preserve with strength and conviction. The sea inspires, nourishes and connects people. It is at the heart of the region’s history and future. That’s why Nice Côte d’Azur is committed to a sustainable approach to coastal tourism.

From raising visitor awareness to actively protecting the seabed, everything possible is being done to combine pleasure and preservation: the fight against pollution and a zero plastic policy, the restoration of natural marine habitats, Pavillon Bleu certify beaches, clean ports, collaboration with the scientific community, a ban on anchoring in Posidonia Oceanica seagrass meadows, cleans-ups of the seabed and coastline… Political and public initiatives are multiplying to protect this fragile ecosystem, which is particularly vulnerable to climate change and urbanisation. In June 2025, the hosting of the United Nations Ocean Conference will reinforce this local commitment by putting it on the world stage.

Experience the sea in a different way, with wonder and respect

Want to discover the sea without damaging it? Enjoy authentic experiences that are both close to nature and respectful of the ecosystem, in contact with the sea and those who protect it :

• Dive into an unspoilt underwater world: opt for a snorkelling trip or a guided dive in protected coastal areas with the Centre de Découverte Mer & Montagne ou Rand’eau Evasion
• In transparent kayak or paddle mode, sail silently over the Posidonia seagrass meadows, with the Club de la Mer de Nice, the Centre école de plongée et snokeling Le Poséidon, the Club Nautique d’Eze, SUP in Villefranche or the Nautical Center AGASC in Saint-Laurent-du-Var
• Sail differently : come aboard with committed local players such as Seazen or the association SOS Grand Bleu to discover the beauty of the coast and the marine fauna, without disturbing the ecosystem and without emitting CO2.
• Learn about sustainable seafaring, meet local fishermen and buy your fish directly from the fishermen or at the market.
  Every morning, as soon as they return from their wriggling catch, the professionals sell directly to private customers from a dozen stalls grouped together in the Halle aux Poissons (fish market) in the port de Cros-de-Cagnes (except Mondays).
  Nice’s fishermen also sell their catch of the day directly from the port, quai de la Douane, every morning between 10am and 12.30pm. It’s unique opportunity to take home fresh fish, freshly and sustainably caught in the Mediterranean!

The Pelagos Sanctuary : a living treasure to protect

Off the Côte d’Azur, between France, Monaco and Italy, lies an exceptional marine territory : the Pelagos Sanctuary. Classified as an international marine protected area, this sanctuary of more than 87,000 km² is home to remarkable marine biodiversity, including many species of cetacean: dolphins, pilot whales, rorquals, sperm whales…

But Pelagos is more than just a refuge for marine life: it is also a joint commitment by the coastal states to limit human pollution (pollution, noise, maritime traffic), preserve habitats and raise awareness among sea users.
At Nice Côte d’Azur, this environmental awareness takes on its full meaning. You can discover the magic of the sanctuary while respecting its fragile balance, thanks to responsible eco-tourism outings supervised by committed professionals :

• Association SOS Grand Bleu : a pioneer in marine ecotourism, the association has been campaigning for decades to protect cetaceans and raise public awareness.
• Shelltone Whale Project : respectful cetacean watching aboard an 8 seater sailing boat.

Boaters, become Ambassadors of the Pelagos Sanctuary by committing to respecting the code of conduct for cetacean watching. 8 species of marine mammals regularly live in the sanctuary.

The Cap-Ferrat marine protected area 

As part of its commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection, the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area runs a network of thirteen Natura 2000 sites, including the Cap Ferrat marine site.

L’aire protégée du Cap Ferrat protected area is one of the richest marine protected areas in the region. Classified as a Natura 2000 site, this area of over 2,000 hectares is home to exceptional biodiversity : Posidonia seagrass meadows, coralligigenous beds, gorgonians, moray eels, seahorses, bottlenose dolphins and other protected migratory species.
These habitats are essential to the marine balance. They act as shelters, nurseries and natural filters, while also storing carbon. Today, this heritage is being preserved through concerted management environmental education initiatives.

• Supervised snorkelling trips are offered all year round by the Cap Ferrat Diving. It’s a chance to explore the sea in a different way, by understanding what’s at stake and learning to respect it!
• During the summer months, you can also meet the site’s eco-guards, from June to September. They will be on hand to provide information and raise awareness of the key issues at stake on the site.

To show your committment, sign the Natura 2000 charter !

SeeOnSea : a civic tool for a better understanding of nature

What if your seaside walks, hikes or snorkelling trips could be used to help protect nature? That’s exactly what SeeOnSea offers, an innovative application that turns every walker or holidaymaker into a true sentinel of biodiversity.
Created by environmental enthusiasts and backed up by scientific data, SeeOnSea is much more than a simple observation application. It enables everyone – the curious, families, hikers, divers and sailors – to learn more about local flora and fauna, while helping to preserve them.
Thanks to its intuitive interface and educational resources, you can learn to recognise species (fish, birds, plants, coral, etc.), understand their behaviour and habitats, and report any species you see or natural phenomena you encounter (strandings, jellyfish, pollution, invasive species, etc.).

A committed destination, and you?

Immersing yourself in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean also makes you aware of its fragility. Here, residents, tourism professionals, associations and visitors all work hand in hand. The aim? To make Nice Côte d’Azur a model sustainable destination. Every holidaymaker can also become an agent of change.

• Choose environmentally-friendly accommodation. Many hotels, restaurants and service providers have the Clef Verte certification label or the European Ecolabel;
• Use soft mobility to explore Nice Côte d’Azur : opt for the tramway, bicycles or electric public transport;
• Think of discovery tours on foot or by bike to reconnect with nature, without polluting;
• Reduce the use of single-use plastic;
• Support local initiatives to protect the marine environment;
• Enjoy while respecting the environment. Use the bins. Citizens’ initiatives such as beach clean-ups and participatory forums give everyone a role to play.

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