Scuba Diving

Top destinations for Scuba Diving in Greece

Written by Scuba Turtles   |   03 Aug 2022

As one of the most touristic destinations in the Mediterranean, Greece remains unknown for its underwater treasures. Being an archipelago with thousands of kilometers of coastline and a rich background of nautical history. Surprisingly, until 2020, when a new law was enacted, recreational diving was prohibited in many areas with fear of unique archaeology and antiquities been plundered. The new laws has opened up the gates to numerous wrecks, submerged archaeological sites and unique marine sanctuaries. But remember, if you find anything that resembles an artifact or even the fragment of one, you can look at it but leave it behind. Discover with us the top destinations for Scuba Diving in Greece.

Greece is also the ideal destination when it comes to diving conditions, calm and crystal clear waters with an average visibility of 20 to 30 meters. In addition, the temperature of the water varies between 20ºC and 26ºC during the diving season (April-October).

Let us recommend you some our of favorite sites around the country, that could easily be on the top list of Mediterranean dive sites.

1. ALONNISOS and the “Parthenon of Shipwrecks”

Alonnisos Marine National Park is the first of its kind in Greece and the largest European marine protected area. It was created to protect the Mediterranean monk seal and its natural habitat, along with significant archaeological discoveries.

It also houses the first Greek underwater museum, the Peristera shipwreck, which opened to diving enthusiasts in 2019. This ancient merchant ship sunk 2.500 years ago due to the bad weather while carrying four thousand wine amphorae. This discovery had a great impact on the understanding of archaeologists, since it is the largest vessel of its time ever found.

2. Elephant’s Cave (CRETE)

If you found yourself in the Drepano area of Akrotiri you must dive Elephant’s Cave. The cave features beautiful white and red stalactites and stalagmites. Further into the cave, you will find fossilized remains (vertebrae, teeth and tusks) of extinct elephants from the Ice Age. And if you’re in luck, maybe you could see a monk seal.

3. HMHS Britannic wreck

Better known as the Titanic’s sister ship. Britannic was a hospital ship in WWI until it sank in 1916 after hitting a mine deployed by a German submarine. Today, it rests at 100m depth close to Kea Island on the Aegean Sea, and can only be visited by technical divers with the right permits. The spectacular 270 meter wreck was discovered in 1975 by Jacques Cousteau and it is the largest intact passenger ship on the seabed.

4. Navarino Bay and Proti Island

Navarino Bay, famous for the nautical battle during the War of Independence, houses a variety of wrecks with interesting artifacts. This is why the Greek government is planning to open one of the first two Underwater archeological parks in the Bay.

Along this coastline, where the loggerhead turtles return every year to lay their eggs, we find the island of Proti, an unspoiled diving paradise with stunning reefs, rock formations, canyons and caverns filled with colorful sponges and exquisite marine life. There is something special about this place that goes unnoticed by most. It is a hidden gem that is worth exploring.

5. Zakynthos

The turquoise waters of Zakynthos make this Ionian Island a famous holiday destination in the Mediterranean. It is also ideally suited for divers of all levels. Gerakas beach, known as the breeding ground for endangered loggerhead turtles, makes the Ionian Sea and above all Zakynthos a paradise for sea turtles. Be sure to dive along the coast of Keri, where you can find multiple dive sites, from cave to steep walls, with a wide array of marine life and clear waters.