Scuba diving in Greece
The particularly clean Greek seas and the huge wealth of the deep are a pole of attraction for those wishing to enjoy the magic of underwater exploration.
Greek waters are the cleanest and bluest in the Med. The sensation of “flying” through them into their depths, is an exquisite experience. Diving along lace-like coasts or around picturesque islands, satisfies even the greatest expectations.
Swim next to dolphins, barracudas, stingrays, sea-turtles, rare snails and nudibranches, jack fishes, soldier fishes, octopuses, murray-eels, trumpet fishes, many kinds of basses, groupers of several kinds, sponges, fan corals, cup corals, anemones, sea squirts, Neptune grass. Collect a thesaurus of memories under the sun or the moon, with a plethora of scuba diving choices: reef and wall diving, unexpected underwater canyons and amazing swim-throughs and tunnels.
For diving you can use only a mask everywhere, but while scuba diving, using compressed air tanks is forbidden in areas with underwater antiquities.
Warm weather makes scuba diving possible all year around. The optimal season begins on April, with average water temperature of 18oC (65oF), the peak season is during July and August, when the water temperature reaches 26oC (79oF).
Official weather statistics:
|
Month
|
Air Temp oC (oF)
|
Sea Temp oC (oF)
|
|
January
|
13 – (54)
|
16 – (61)
|
|
February
|
13 – (54)
|
16 – (61)
|
|
March
|
14 – (57)
|
15 – (59)
|
|
April
|
16 – (61)
|
15 – (59)
|
|
May
|
20 – (68)
|
18 – (65)
|
|
June
|
23 – (73)
|
22 – (72)
|
|
July
|
26 – (79)
|
25 – (77)
|
|
August
|
29 – (84)
|
26 – (79)
|
|
September
|
26 – (79)
|
25 – (77)
|
|
October
|
22 – (72)
|
23 – (73)
|
|
November
|
18 – (65)
|
21 – (70)
|
|
December
|
14 – (57)
|
19 – (66)
|
Many diving schools operate in Greece under special license of the Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine. All scuba divers are obliged to comply with and adhere to the regulations and restrictions of L. 5351/32 on antiquities. Underwater activities with diving equipment are allowed from sunrise to sunset.
Diving schools are beach-located at a close distance from the best diving sites, owning fully crewed and equipped RIBs or speedboats for a maximum safety for individuals and groups.
Moreover, interested parties should be aware that the following are prohibited:
– fishing with scuba diving equipment (spear fishing with the use of bottles);
– photographing, removing or transporting antiquities. In case you spot any antiquities, you have to immediately report this to the nearest archaeological department of the Ministry of Culture (or the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities), or port or police authorities;
– fishing with scuba diving equipment (spear fishing with the use of bottles);
– photographing, removing or transporting antiquities. In case you spot any antiquities, you have to immediately report this to the nearest archaeological department of the Ministry of Culture (or the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities), or port or police authorities;
– use or possession (on board of a ship) of special equipment for spotting antiquities.
Here are some of the Diving Operators:
Alonissos Dive Center
Alonissos
Greece
Tel: +30-24240-65804
Fax: +30-24240-65806
kostas@albedotravel.com,
http://bestdivingingreece.com/
Alonissos
Greece
Tel: +30-24240-65804
Fax: +30-24240-65806
kostas@albedotravel.com,
http://bestdivingingreece.com/
Mediterranean Dive Club
Perissa – Santorini
Greece
Tel: 22860 83080
Fax: 22860 33989
E-mail: mdc@otenet.gr,
http://www.santorinidiving.com
Perissa – Santorini
Greece
Tel: 22860 83080
Fax: 22860 33989
E-mail: mdc@otenet.gr,
http://www.santorinidiving.com
Aegean Divers
Santorini
4th km main road Fira to central port
Greece
Tel: +30 2286033201
Fax: +302286033209
E-mail: info@aegeandivers.com
4th km main road Fira to central port
Greece
Tel: +30 2286033201
Fax: +302286033209
E-mail: info@aegeandivers.com
Eurodiving
Ligaria – Crete
Tel: 00 30 2810 811252
Fax: 00 30 2810 811253
E-mail: admin@eurodiving.net.
Ligaria – Crete
Tel: 00 30 2810 811252
Fax: 00 30 2810 811253
E-mail: admin@eurodiving.net.
Kalypso Rock’s Palace Diving Center
Crete
Sof.Venizelou 21
Tel: 00 30 2831 056641
Fax: 00 30 2831 056861,
E-mail: info@kalypsodivingcenter.com
Crete
Sof.Venizelou 21
Tel: 00 30 2831 056641
Fax: 00 30 2831 056861,
E-mail: info@kalypsodivingcenter.com
Dive2gether Crete
Plakias Dimos Finika
74060 Rethimno, Crete
Tel/Fax: Summer (Mar-Nov) +30 283 20 32 313
Tel/Fax:Winter(Dec. – Feb.)+31 (0)75 63 14 269
Mobiles:+30 69 74 03 14 41, +30 69 74 03 14 42
E-mail: crete@dive2gether.com
Plakias Dimos Finika
74060 Rethimno, Crete
Tel/Fax: Summer (Mar-Nov) +30 283 20 32 313
Tel/Fax:Winter(Dec. – Feb.)+31 (0)75 63 14 269
Mobiles:+30 69 74 03 14 41, +30 69 74 03 14 42
E-mail: crete@dive2gether.com
Seven Islands Dive Centre
Kontokali – Gouvia – Corfu
49100 Greece
Tel: 0030 266 109 0006
Kontokali – Gouvia – Corfu
49100 Greece
Tel: 0030 266 109 0006
Achilleon Diving Center Corfu
Akrotiri Beach Hotel
TK 49083 Paleokastritsa
Greece
Mobile: +306932729011
E-mail: divingcorfu@yahoo.gr
Akrotiri Beach Hotel
TK 49083 Paleokastritsa
Greece
Mobile: +306932729011
E-mail: divingcorfu@yahoo.gr
St Nicholas Beach Dive CentreZakynthos
Vassilikos Beach Hotel
Vassilikos
Greece
Tel: +30 6980 214275
E-mail: mike@stnicksdiving.com
Vassilikos Beach Hotel
Vassilikos
Greece
Tel: +30 6980 214275
E-mail: mike@stnicksdiving.com
FNEC Dive CenterKefalonia island
Ethnkis Antistaseos
C/O FNEC
Greece
Tel +306977478395
scuba@fnec.gr
Ethnkis Antistaseos
C/O FNEC
Greece
Tel +306977478395
scuba@fnec.gr
Island DiversChios Island
Karfas beach
Greece
Tel: +30 22710 32434.
Karfas beach
Greece
Tel: +30 22710 32434.
Meandros Diving
Athens
Taxiarxon 14
17455 Alimos
Greece
Tel: +30 210 9850220
Mobile: 6948364217
Fax: +30 210 9884596
Email: meandros@meandros.gr
Athens
Taxiarxon 14
17455 Alimos
Greece
Tel: +30 210 9850220
Mobile: 6948364217
Fax: +30 210 9884596
Email: meandros@meandros.gr
If you are a fan of ship breaks, you would like to take a look in to the following dive sites:
1. Kyra wreck
Cargo ship Kyra Leni sunk in 1978. Today its one of the favorite dives for many wreck divers since the shallow depth and the relatively intact bow of the ship allows for a relaxing wreck dive. Depth is 18 to 30 meters Visibility is 15 meters.
2. U 133 SUBMARINE WRECK
German submarine U 133 sunk during world war II when it hit a mine. Lying at 80 meters awaits the divers which have the appropriate experience and training for an unforgettable dive…
3. Rosa Vlasi Wreck
Rosa Vlasi, a cargo steamship, sunk southwest of Makronisos Island during a storm. It is located intact in a depth of 51 meters lying on its port side. This is a staged decompression dive for very experienced divers.
4. Cave Diving
An ancient cavern was discovered near the island of Paros 10 years ago. Divers can enter the cave from different points. One, the largest, cave’s is at a depth between 3.5 m. to 11 m. with diameter about 10 m. Another entrance is the medium one with 8 m depth and diameter 2.5 m. The light that enters the cave creates incredible scenery. Soft and hard corals in all kind of shapes and forms are everywhere. When you get on the surface you discover the best part of the cave, you’ll be amazed by the big multi shaped stalactites hanging form the cave’s ceiling and walls. Maximum depth of the cave is 18 meters.
Why underwater life is beautiful, why you in Greece, why scuba diving and underwater environment enthusiasts all ages. These are some whys for you to visit Greece and to begin a personal journey to discover the underwater beauty of the Greek seas.
Greece now welcomes many visitors annually, but few know and enjoy the opportunities for visiting the underwater environment.
Yet, Greece is unique as a destination for enjoying the wonders of the sea, on the surface and below it. Name what you desire to see and Greece has it. Marine life, Reefs, Wrecks, Walls, Caves, Cavern Corals, Deep dives – technical dives almost all over Greece..
You simply have to choose your destination and seek sea’s secrets….
Some video available in YouTube:
Editor: Suso
Publisher: TEO