Greece




TOP DIVE SITES – CRETE


Big Anchor
Blue Cave
El Greco Cave
Islet of Dia
Kalypso Walls
Messerschmitt Me-109
Mononaftis
Shrimps Cave
Skinaria Bay
St. George Caves


Big Anchor – divers will see a huge ancient anchor growing out of the seabed at a depth of 27 m (hence the name of the dive site). But this area is also famous for beautiful reefs – a home to large groupers, huge sponges and other marine life.
Location: Agia Pelagia
Type of dive: shore/boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Blue Cave – this is a 20 m wide and 60 m long cave. The maximum depth here ranges from 22 to 30 m. The attractions in this spot include a huge rocky wall, boulders, tunnels and colourful marine life.
Location: Agia Pelagia
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


El Greco Cave – an amazing 30 m long underwater cave with astonishing stalagmites, stalactites and plenty of light. The depth ranges from 20 m to 40 m. The cave and area around it have become a host to lobsters, morays, groupers and tuna fish.
Location: between Sisses and Agia Pelagia
Type of dive: shore/boat dive
Sea bed: sand/stone
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Islet of Dia – the waters surrounding the islet of Dia contain plenty of attractions. One of them is a wreck of 20 m long boat which lies at a maximum depth of 18 m. The other attractions include abundant marine life – large groupers, colourful sponges, beautiful shells and reefs.
Location: Islet of Dia, 16 km north-east of Agia Pelagia
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand/rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Kalypso Walls – this dive site is good for beginners as well as for experienced divers who can descend to a depth of 40 m. Amazing rock formations (walls, caverns) and colourful sea life (sponges, groupers, morays, octopus, starfish).
Location: Kalypso Bay
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Messerschmitt Me-109 – the wreck of German aircraft of WW2 lies upside down at a depth of 24 m, broken into several parts. Sometimes, when the sea is calm, the visibility is good enough that the wreck can be seen from the surface. Some large groupers and other marine life reside in this area. This is a weather-dependent dive.
Location: Analipsi, near Hersonisos (10 km east of Heraklion)
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: sand
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Mononaftis – a great diving spot where divers will meet abundant marine life including groupers, octopus, morays, scorpion fish and breams. Sometimes barracudas, dolphins and stingrays appear there. Besides colourful marine life, other attractions here include reefs and rock formations (holes, canyons and small caves) The maximum depth is 35 m but even inexperienced can enjoy diving in this beautiful area.
Location: Mononaftis Bay, near Agia Pelagia
Type of dive: shore dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


Shrimps Cave – an excellent dive spot only for experienced divers. Thousands of shrimps reside in this beautiful cave (hence the name). The depth ranges from 25 to 40 m.
Location: near Hersonissos
Type of dive: shore/boat dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water


Skinaria Bay – attractions in this area include excellent rock formations – walls, tunnels and a cave. The depth of Skinaria Cave ranges from 10 to 22 m. The cave hosts groupers, morays, starfish, shrimps and colourful sponges. Advanced divers can also enjoy a large reef where they can see big fish.
Location: Skinaria Bay
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock/sand
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water


St. George Caves – two underwater caves located at shallow depths (8–13 m) host abundant marine fauna and flora. This dive site is suitable even for not very experienced divers.
Location: near Hersonissos
Type of dive: boat dive
Sea bed: rock
Requirements: BSAC Ocean Diver, PADI Open Water