Atmospheric and in‐water solar radiation, including UVR‐B, UVR‐A and PAR, as well as chromophoric dissolved organic matter absorption aCDOM(λ) in surface waters were monthly measured from November 2007 to December 2008 at a coastal station in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea (Bay of Marseilles, France). Our results showed that the UVR‐B/UVR–A ratio followed the same trend in the atmosphere and at 2 m depth in the water (P < 0.0001) with an increase (eight‐fold higher) during summer. The low diffuse attenuation coefficients for downward irradiance Kd(λ) of UVR‐B, UVR‐A and PAR indicated that the waters were highly transparent throughout the year. The relationships between aCDOM(λ) and Kd(λ) in this oligotrophic system suggested that CDOM contributed to UVR attenuation in the UVA domain, but also played a significant role in PAR attenuation. Mean UV doses received in the mixed layer depth were higher by a factor 1.4–33 relative to doses received at fixed depths (5 and 10 m) in summer (stratified period), while the inverse pattern was found in winter (mixing period). This shows the importance of taking into account the vertical mixing in the evaluation of UVR effects on marine organisms. The wavelengths 305 and 380 nm have been chosen as biologically effective wavelengths for the induction of DNA damages (CPDs) and photorepairs (PERs) respectively. The ratio of the mean doses received within the mixed layer at 305 and 380 nm Q in % = H(m,305)/H(m,380) × 100 along with the mixed layer depth (Zm) are presented. Q ratio can be considered as an indicator of changes in the balance between DNA damages (CPDs) and repairs (PERs). Clearly, Q increased with the stratification of the water column.