Diving in Greece
Including Alonissos National Marine Park, Chios Island, and Crete (Elephant Cave). On the map.
The vibe
Diving in Greece is defined by its dramatic underwater topography and the haunting presence of historical shipwrecks scattered across the seabed. The season runs from May to October, offering warm temperatures that allow for long, comfortable bottom times without thick exposure suits. The scene is well-developed, with professional centers guiding you through the logistics of exploring protected underwater zones.
You will need to present your certification card at the dive center.
Alonissos National Marine Park
Thessaly
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This protected area is home to the Peristera shipwreck, often called the 'Parthenon of shipwrecks,' featuring thousands of ancient amphorae. It offers a rare opportunity to dive a protected underwater archaeological site.
Access. Strictly regulated; diving is only permitted through authorized centers in Alonissos.
Notes. Archaeological site protection laws are strictly enforced.
Chios Island
Northern Aegean
Vgargan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Chios features rugged underwater coastlines, rich rocky reefs, and historical wreck sites in the northeastern Aegean Sea. Scuba divers explore clear waters around cliffs and offshore islets where groupers, rays, and pelagic fish are frequently spotted. Local dive infrastructure ensures safe exploration of the island's diverse marine topography.
Access. Bookings can be made directly with professional dive centers located near Chios Town and Karfas.
Notes. Depths vary from 10 to 35 meters. Diving is best from June to September.
Crete (Elephant Cave)
Region of Crete
Tanya Dedyukhina / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Located near Chania, the Elephant Cave is a fascinating semi-submerged cavern containing the fossilized remains of an extinct elephant. It is a bucket-list site for divers interested in both geology and paleontology.
Access. Guided boat tours from Chania or nearby coastal towns are required to reach the cave entrance.
Notes. Requires cavern diving certification or guided supervision.
Kea Island Wrecks
South Aegean
Michael Paraskevas / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kea is home to some of the most spectacular deep-water shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, including the HMHS Britannic and the SS Burdigala. Divers travel here for the chance to explore these massive, historically significant vessels in clear, deep water.
Access. Accessible via dive centers in Kea or day trips from Lavrio on the Greek mainland.
Notes. Primarily for advanced and technical divers due to significant depth and potential currents.
Lesbos (Sigri)
Northern Aegean
Bj.schoenmakers / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
The western coast of Lesbos around Sigri offers unique underwater adventures, including shallow reefs and fascinating submerged geological formations. Scuba divers explore rocky outcrops and coastal drop-offs that harbor a diverse array of Aegean marine species. Dive operators in the area provide access to less-trodden sites with exceptional underwater tranquility.
Access. Accessible via local dive clubs and operators based in Sigri and Mytilene that run seasonal boat and shore dives.
Notes. Depths range from 5 to 25 meters, making it great for recreational divers.
Mykonos Reefs
South Aegean
Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mykonos offers excellent rocky reef diving with vibrant marine life, including groupers, octopuses, and nudibranchs. The Anna II shipwreck is a popular highlight, but the surrounding reefs provide a diverse experience for those seeking Mediterranean biodiversity.
Access. Multiple dive centers operate out of the main port and major beaches on Mykonos.
Notes. Conditions are typically calm, making it suitable for all experience levels.
Naxos Island
South Aegean
Stepanps / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Naxos offers exciting scuba diving around nearby islets and reefs, featuring dramatic rocky drop-offs, swim-throughs, and occasional WW II-era wreckage. Divers enjoy excellent visibility and encounter rich marine biodiversity including conger eels, nudibranchs, and schools of barracuda. Several dive bases operate along the western beaches.
Access. Easily arranged through PADI-certified dive centers situated around Naxos Town and Agios Prokopios, running daily boat dives.
Notes. Depths span 10 to 30 meters. Summer meltemi winds occasionally dictate site selection.
Paros and Antiparos
South Aegean
Sentinel-2 cloudless 2016 by EOX IT Services GmbH is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The waters surrounding Paros and Antiparos contain vibrant rocky reefs, underwater caves, and historical remains such as the Express Samina wreck site nearby. Scuba divers explore dramatic vertical walls and sunlit crevices populated by groupers, damselfish, and moray eels. The region provides a well-rounded mix of reef and cave diving experiences.
Access. Guided scuba trips and courses are provided by professional dive centers based in Pounda and Naoussa.
Notes. Depths range from 12 to 38 meters. Calm summer conditions allow comfortable exploration.
Paxi and Antipaxi
Ioanian Islands
Cristoforo Buendelmonti / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Ionian islands of Paxi and Antipaxi feature remarkable limestone underwater topography perforated by dramatic caves and dramatic vertical drop-offs. Divers navigate pristine white-sand bottoms, sunlit caverns, and vibrant rock walls draped in sponge life. The area is celebrated for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and untouched marine habitats.
Access. Scuba excursions are organized by dive bases operating on Paxi or via day-trip boat charters connecting from mainland Parga and Corfu.
Notes. Depths range from 8 to 35 meters. Calm Ionian conditions make it suitable for both intermediate and advanced divers.
Rhodes (Ladiko and Faliraki)
South Aegean
Ferengi / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The eastern coast of Rhodes offers rocky underwater terrain, swim-throughs, and vibrant marine life centered around Ladiko and Anthony Quinn Bay. Scuba divers explore clear-water reefs, small caverns, and rocky drop-offs teeming with octopuses, groupers, and moray eels. Several established dive centers operate daily boat and shore diving excursions from Faliraki and Rhodes Town.
Access. Easily accessible via multiple PADI and SSI dive centers based in Faliraki and Rhodes Town that run daily boat trips to the eastern coves.
Notes. Depths range from 10 to 30 meters. Ideal diving conditions run from May through October.
Santorini Caldera
South Aegean
Norbert Nagel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Diving in the Santorini caldera offers a unique volcanic landscape with dramatic underwater lava formations and steep drop-offs. The clear blue water and the sheer scale of the submerged volcanic walls provide a distinct diving experience.
Access. Dive shops are concentrated in the southern part of the island, such as Perissa and Akrotiri.
Notes. Volcanic topography creates interesting wall-like structures and deep drop-offs.
Zakynthos Caves
Ioanian Islands
maczopikczu / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
The coastline of Zakynthos features an intricate network of underwater caves, tunnels, and arches, most notably around the Keri Caves area. The dramatic light play through the limestone formations makes this a premier destination for cavern diving.
Access. Numerous dive operators based in Keri and Laganas offer guided boat trips to the cave systems.
Notes. Suitable for both recreational cavern divers and those with cave training depending on the specific site.