SCUBA DIVING IN GREECE: untapped scuba dive marvels. Divers’ Reviews

Greece borders the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. It is the twelfth largest coastline in the world and has a vast number of islands. It would make for an ideal scuba diving location. However, before 2005, divers could not access the 8500 miles of Greek coastline due to protection of marine treasures. Since then, the restrictions have been lifted and divers have plenty to rejoice about.

CLIMATE

Climate in Greece is mainly Mediterranean. Summers are sunny, hot and dry summers in southern Greece, however northern Greece has freezing winters and hot/humid summers. The average water temperature in the winter is 55 °F (13 °C) and 75 °F (24 °C) in the summer.

CRETE, HOME OF THE MEDITERRANEAN MONK SEAL

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands. You can find many good caves, gaps and reefs, perfect for octopus, moray eels and groupers.

On the north part of the island, the Skinaria Wall and Skinaria Cave are popular dive sites. The Panormo dive site reaches depths of 112 ft. (35 m.) with caves and shoals full of fish; you can find a Venetian anchor cemetery.

On the south side of the island, the Damnoni site is a standout. It is a three-part cave with a tunnel system full of fish; it has deep canyons, grasslands and mounts. It really is a remarkable dive. Expect to see the saddled sea bream, the ornate wrasse and silversides. Keep an eye open for the stripped dolphins as you go to spots from the boat.

Crete is one of the few natural habitats of the Mediterranean monk seals, a critically endangered species of seals. Crete is the center of the Minoan civilization, the earliest high culture in Europe. A visit to the Lychnostatis Open Air Museum is a must.

Balos has breathtaking views and a beautiful lagoon; it is located in the Chania area. Chrissi Island in the Ierapetra region is a great peaceful beach trip.

NORTH AEGEAN ISLANDS, DISCOVERING PRISTINE SCUBA DIVE SPOTS

The Aegean Islands are a strip of islands stretching between Turkey and Greece. There are many good spots and plenty of cultural activities. The coastline of Lesvos holds many small bays and coves in clear waters which offer plenty of dives sites all around the coast.

To the north east of the island, Palios has great reefs, visibility is excellent and a lot of plant life can be found. The clear waters make dives in Lesvos suitable for all levels. The more advance divers might like the cave sites more, like Lamania, where you may also let you drift.

Scuba in Samos has only taken off in recent years, so many of the sites are pristine. The Samos Panagias Rocks (cave) is suitable for all level divers and it’s one of the most interesting dive sites in Samos. It has great visibility and it is a good site to find octopus.

Agios Ioannis Bay in Thasos also offers good dive sites. The standout is unquestionably the Volcano Tears site for it´s underwater lava formations. A visit to the hot springs in Lesvos Island is definitely one of the best things to do when visiting this Aegean Island.

CYCLADES, PRASONISIA & ALL THE BEST

The Cyclades are composed of 39 islands, 24 of which are inhabited. They are the most famous of all Greek islands where one can find cosmopolitan night life as well as isolated peace and tranquility.

The island of Mikonos offers divers reefs and caves, and has the Prasonisia dive spot, considered to be one of the best in Greece. Shoals of barracuda and mackerels can be found here and it´s a good area to find weever fish. To the south east we find the islet of Dragonisi with its spectacular underwater rock formations.

Paros has the famous dive site The Cathedral; it has impressive rock formations covered in sponges. The beautiful beaches and charming villages in Paros are a popular vacation destination for locals and foreigners.

Santorini is a small circular archipelago and most the diving is done around the Caldera area and off the coast of Kamari. Santorini is the remains of a huge volcanic explosion that broke the one island into smaller ones. There are about 30 dive sites in Santorini. The Akrotiri Town is a must see, this Minoan town is preserved in volcanic ash like Pompeii.

IONIAN ISLANDS

The Ionian Island offers a variety of caves, shipwrecks and reefs dives. Corfu has the most dive sites including the HMS Regulus wreck, sunk by a mine in 1945.

The Odysseus, also in Corfu, is a beautiful area with canyons and caves. The Sky Hole has interesting rock formations and the light coming from the open ceiling creates beautiful light effects. Off Kassiopi is the ancient Nissopoulo wreck of what is believed to be a Greek or Roman vessel.

The Zante Islands have rich marine life such as white bream, dolphin fish, barracudas, amber jacks and loggerhead sea turtles.

Paxos, the smallest group of the Ionian Islands, has the famous dive site Alexander’s Cave, a significantly big cave that goes inside the mountain for about 190 ft. (60 m.).

Paleokastritsa is a series of bays where you can sunbathe on the beaches, the water is very clear so snorkeling is really good.

Porto Katsiki in Lefkada has turquoise waters next to lazy rock cliffs. It is said to be one the most outstanding beaches in Greece and all of Europe.

DIVE OPERATORS LISTED IN GREECE

Arian Diving Centre /  Blue Diving Center /  Blue Island Divers / Daniel Diving / DiveWorld Scuba Center /  European Diving Institute / Go Dive Ios / Sifnos Diving Center / Zoumbosub