Diving

DIVING GREECE DIVING - GENERAL INFO




GENERAL INFO


General

good both for beginners and experienced divers

Scuba diving in Greece is relatively new activity but it is a great experience to dive there. Rich marine life, hundreds of discovered and undiscovered shipwrecks and beautiful underwater rock formations make this destination worth visiting.


Underwater
  • amazing rock formations (caves, caverns, canyons, walls)
  • over 1 000 discovered wrecks
  • reefs
  • rich marine life: sea urchins, starfish, crabs, lobsters, squids, octopi; lucky divers may have a chance to see turtles, seals, dolphins, tuna, swordfish, sunfish or flying fish


Suit

Divers usually choose 5 mm suits in summer and 7 mm suits in winter.


Risk

There are a few sea animals which can have vicious or poisonous bristles and spines. Watch out for the scorpion fish, bristleworms, sea urchins, stingrays and weever fish. If you step on or touch one of these fish, look for medical attention as your reaction to the injury will depend on your general medical condition and age.

Sharks appear from time to time in Greek waters but no fatal attacks have been reported.


Visibility

20+ metres


Bottom

rocky or sandy
caves, caverns, grottos, cliffs


Best time to dive

April – October


Courses

Besides recreational diving for beginners, it is possible to take a PADI course (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), BSAC course (British Sub Aqua Club) or DSAT course (Diving Science and Technology).


PADI courses:
Open Water Diver
Adventure Diver
Advanced Open Water Diver
Rescue Diver
Master Scuba Diver
Divemaster
Nitrox
Specialities: Deep Diving, Night Diving, Wreck Diving, Underwater Navigation, Underwater Photography, Peek Performance Buoyancy


BSAC courses:
Ocean Diver – basic skills, non-decompression diving
Sports Diver – rescue and decompression diving
Dive Leader – dive leading, marshalling and rescue management
BSAC Nitrox Course
BSAC Full Instructor Course
BSAC IFC – Instructor Foundation Course
BSAC OWIC – Open Water Instructor Course


DSAT courses:
Nitrox Diver – qualifying recreational divers to use nitrox (enriched air) for no stop recreational diving
Deep Diver – introduction to deep diving
Tec Deep Level 1 – extended decompression diving
Tec Deep – technical deep diving, extended no decompression dives, decompression stop dives
Tec Trimix – qualifying divers to go to 75 m
Gas Blender
Trimix Gas Blender


SSI courses:
- Scuba update
- (Junior) Open Water Diver
- Specialities: Nitrox Diver, Deep Diving, Stress & Rescue, night diving, underwater navigation, underwater photography, boat diving, Dry suit, Wreck diving
- Advanced Diver (4 Specialities)
- Master Diver
- Dive Control Specialist
- CPR & First Aid


More info: DIVING COURSES


Prices

about 250–500 euro/initial open water course
about 50–60 euro/1 dive


Minimum age

The minimum age for diving is 10 years. For all divers under age of 18 written parental/guardian consent will be required.


Regulations

In 2006 Greek government decided to abolish the rigid restrictions on scuba diving and since then recreational scuba diving has been possible almost everywhere in Greece. However, there are still some regulations and restricted areas. It is forbidden to remove or photograph any antiquities and all findings of antiquities have to be reported to the local Archaeological Service, Port Authority or Police. Scuba diving with breathing devices is allowed from sunrise to sunset. All the regulations were established to protect the ancient heritage, artifacts and other archeological items.


Children

Depending on the diving centre the minimum age of a child attending a diving course is 10 or 12.


Snorkelling

Snorkelling can be an alternative to scuba diving as it is really enjoyable, cheap and there is no age limit. Even in the first few metres below the surface experiencing the underwater environment can be extremely exciting. Clean and blue Mediterranean waters invite to an adventure of meeting a variety of fish and other underwater creatures. One can try it independently or choose one of many snorkeling excursions offers with professional guides. There are also skin diving courses for those who are interested in equipment, techniques and safety. There are no special regulations concerning snorkeling in Greece.