Until 2005, divers were given access to just 620 miles of the 10,000 miles of Greek coastline. Then the legislation changed and diving is now allowed throughout the seas of Greece.
Greece Dive Sites • Greece Diving Operators• Greece Accommodation• Books to Take to Greece • Your CommentsChios • Corfu • Crete • Kefalonia • Lefkas • Lesvos • Mykonos • Santorini • Zante• Halkidiki
I know Red Sea is fantastic, but also can be frantic. Scotland 's west coast is great but cold. Paleocastritsa, Corfu, is my favourite compromise. This whole area is a hidden gem of underwater caves and arches, sometimes a bit more mystery than say the Red Sea now so well dived. Here you sometimes feel its a new adventure exploring. One dive myself and the divemaster acompanying discovered a new link between one cave and another better known one by dropping down a steep gully and creeping under a rock sill into the rear of a better known cave! There are also some wrecks, very nice, if you can get a day trip to the northern island near Mathraki. This is more an expedition, but we did a dive on a cement coaster (fairly intact but split down reef to 35 mtres) and a costal tanker barge in 20-25 level on flat sand. Getting right inside fairly intact engine room and cabin/Wheelhouse.
With careful flight sourcing (thanks Easyjet) and accomodation which can be inexpensive booked direct once you make friends with the locals. Self catering apartment within 10 mins walk of the diving centre (Achilleon Diving Center) cost 180 Euro for the week (2 Adults)in September. Warmest water and if it maybe rains, who cares, its warm and we are getting wet anyway! Also good discounts on diving September/October at season's end.
Donald, Scotland
"I dived a variety of sites during my stay, in all areas of the island, including some beautiful, remote locations. The dive centre ensured I saw a wide variety of the island's different underwater experiences. Excellent visibility (20 m). A large marine population, with a wide variety, I often saw octopus, moray eels, grouper, starfish, etc.
The operator I dived with was the Seven Islands Dive Centre. I would definitely recommend diving with them to others, and I will again. The dive centre arranged my accommodation for me and I found it to be clean, spacious, comfortable, with en suite and a balcony. It was also very cheap. Excellent value for money. "
Adam Young
"I was surprised how good the diving was for the med. The water was lovely and warm and the visibility was around 26-30 meters. There was plenty of life down there, including King Solomon's, Octopus, Barracuda, Red Snapper and Grouper. There was also a lot of coral. Red, Vibrant Yellow and Black. Clams, huge shells with snails in, some anemones. Apparently this was not one of the best sites, there are plenty more. Apart from that the Island is a lovely place to go for a holiday, with lots to do "
Sián
"Volcanic rocks and small fishes."
Vassili Mousoulea
"The diving is mainly on the Caldera (volcano). Vis was excellent and water temperature was 25C, but the Greeks have fished the place out, so there ain't a lot of marine life to look at. Some of the rock formations on and around the volcano are interesting, and there are wrecks to dive on too. We dived with a company called Mediterranean Dive Club (tel: +302860-83080). We found them near the beach in Perissa on the other side of the island to the diving."
Dave Bromley
"I went to Zante to the resort of Argassi in September last year. The sea life compared to places like the Red Sea isn't that great (but that is hard to compare to the Red Sea). The best thing that I found about diving in Zante was the Caves, they were fantastic, at times a touch scary as some of them you have around 1.2 m to get through but really really good. The hotel I stopped at was Zankantha Beach hotel which was quite nice but nothing special."
Matt Wilson
The WWII submarine wreck of the HMS Perseus lies between Zante and Kefalonia.
"A commercial wreck recently found at 10 metres. Easy entry and exit."
George Filios, 2006
"A fantastic cave, amazing colours and aquatic life. Deep blue water."
George Filios, 2006
"A commercial boat in 25-30 meters depth. It was broken in two pieces. Clear waters. Pretty good dive."
Dimitris Pelekis, 2007
Help us expand this section: tell us about a dive operator or list your diving company on this page.
Athens • Chios • Corfu • Crete • Halkidiki • Kefalonia • Lefkas • Lesvos • Mykonos • Santorini • Zante • IosAqua Divers Club
km 48.5 Souniou-Athens Ave
Athens
Greece
Tel: +306974840084
Fax: 00302291053461
info@aquadiversclub.com,
http://www.aquadiversclub.com/
A 5* PADI Instructor Development resort situated in the grounds of the Calypso Hotel (which was used as a base by Jacques Cousteau when visiting Greece) at Anavissos, near Athens and the famous temple of Sounio. They offer a comprehensive selection of PADI diving courses, up to instructor level, plus daily shore and boat dives (leaving at 10.30 am and 2.30pm), equipment rental and retail outlet. The centre operates all year round, seven days a week.
Special diving packages are available with nearby accommodation
All training takes place in the security of the sheltered bay of the Calypso Hotel with its own house reef. For the instructor courses duration approx 10 days, they offer free accommodation. From the diving shop it only takes one minute to reach the beach for a shore dive or the boat for a diving excursion to the nearby island, with over 15 different dive sites. Instructors are multi-lingual: English, French, German and Greek and all PADI courses are offered in these languages.
Special courses for children 8+ years with the appropriate equipment.
Ulysses Multihull Adventures
105 Nikitara street
Voula 16673
Greece
E-mail: diving@ulysses.gr
Tel: +306974337609
Fax: +302118504218
Mediterranean Dive Club
Perissa
Santorini
Greece
Tel: 22860 83080
Fax: 22860 33989
E-mail: mdc@otenet.gr,
http://www.santorinidiving.com
The Mediterranean Dive Club started operating in Santorini summer of 1998 as a fully organised diving centre and they are proud that it is one of the "most up-to-date" in the Cyclades islands.
Located on Perissa beach, with the harbour and the dive sites just around the corner, they are glad to take you out with their speed boat diving, snorkelling or taking a PADI course.
Experienced staff and instructors are always at everyone's disposal, promising a unique experience of the under water spectacular world of Santorini.
"We can make your dream to have your most fun experience this summer come true. Diving in the Mediterranean, experiencing the big blue, watching new interesting animals, plants, lava formed bottoms, caves, drop offs; all in the crystal clear waters surrounding Santorini and the Volcano Islands."
"Would NOT recommend dive operator Mediterranean Dive Club. Friendly staff but...
-first dive delayed by 3.5 hours due to disorganized customer pickup by car and boat
-inadequate equipment: two divers' BCDs leaking, no snorkels provided, no console dive computers
-not value for money: 80 Euros for two dives, usual Bottom Time/depth 35min/15m, 25min/7m
-inadequate manpower: boat driver is also dive guide, hence long wait times in the water before descent and no backup person
-poorly equipped boat for emergencies: one diver made a forced emergency ascent after weightbelt loss. No injuries incurred but there was no surface help, no first aid kit and no way to contact shore.
-general conditions: uncovered inflatable boat, air temp of 36-40 degrees, water temp of 25 degrees, viz: 20-30m.
2 sites: rock reefs and sand bottoms, grass mostly, little coral, some small fish, two octopuses, dead fish at the boat mooring. "
Sam, USA, 2007
" I?m the owner of Mediterranean Dive Club ? Santorini - Greece. I will like to guaranty you for our quality and also to make clear to you that we never had client with that name (Sam). Also the way that lady describe our business is offensive and defiantly not true. I don?t know from where to start....
Let's start with the first 3.5 hours delete....come on....in wish serious business they do this....We are cooperating with the biggest tourist offices in Greece and some from US. Libra, Tui Hellas , Gats, Apollo......our time schedules is so organized so we can do pickups from all over the island and be earlier than we said to our clients.
About the quality of our equipment we have certificates that guaranty that all our equipment is new since we change it every two year at least. All our equipment is Scubapro since we are dealers and soprasub wet suits. All the masks has snorkel on , unless if the client take it off.
We don?t have console dive computer since is very personal instrument, but we rent extra if clients wants Aladdin pro wrist dive computer.
Also we have Oxygen tank on boat ,Full organized pharmacy, and vhf and sell phone in all our boats."
Olga Pozidou, Owner of Mediterranean Dive Club
Navys Waterworld
Kamari
Santorini
Greece
Tel: +30 22860 28190
Eurodiving
Ligaria
Crete
Tel: 00 30 2810 811252
Fax: 00 30 2810 811253
E-mail: admin@eurodiving.net.
Diving for experienced divers, PADI courses and Discover Scuba Diving in what is claimed to be one of the best diving areas in Crete.
Kalypso Rock's Palace Diving CenterKalypso Rock's Palace Diving Center
Sof.Venizelou 21
Crete
Tel: 00 30 2831 056641
Fax: 00 30 2831 056861, E-mail: info@kalypsodivingcenter.com
Diving excursions for certified divers and for beginners on the south coast of Crete.
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,+31 (0)62 45 22 416
E-mail: crete@dive2gether.com
"Dive2gether is located in Plakias, a village along the island's south coast. Plakias lies right below the city Rethymnon, a bigger city on the islands north coast.
I'm an experience diver, been diving many years and have logged 1200 dives. In the last 15 years I've seen many diving schools around the world, some good, some bad. Dive2gether is really something special. The professional team has made this holiday an unforgettable experience!
Dive2gether is not just a great diving school offering boat and shore dives it a way to make your holiday whether you're alone of with a family and children. As an experienced diver they offered me great exciting dives! Well organized and very precise when it comes to briefings and safety regulations. The boat dives from their brand new motor cruiser build for diving where awesome. The weekly Night dive offered some great surprises!! ;-)
The organisation went much farther then only diving. Coffee, tea and lemonade were offered for free all day. We started the day at the diving school having a cup of (great!) coffee and we were introduced to the other divers diving that day. All logbooks and cards were checked and we were informed about the program of the day. Transport was arranged to the dive site or to the port where the boat lies. All dives were well briefed and everything went very smooth with a lot of time for jokes and diver stories. Every day there were also non-divers who were coming along with some of the other divers. This gave a family kind of atmosphere. In the end of the diving day we a great laugh cleaning the equipment at the diving school. Of course it's cool if a school offers to clean your equipment. At dive2gether everybody is invited to help along! And.. I must say it did create a unique atmosphere doing it all together! My kids had a great time playing with the water and instructors! :-)
The diving school also organizes a weekly BBQ in the olivegrove behind the garden! WOW,... the best grill ever, my compliments Tymen! On Fridays we joined dive2gether on their "greek dinner party" this was organized every week and divers and their families were invited to come along. There was life musice, lots of laughs and even Greek dancing. The diving instructor Paul teached my kids and wife how to dance the Zorba the Greek dance!! I was happy to make pictures! :-)
I've had an unforgetable experience and my kids are already insisting to go back there next summer. ... I'm afraid I have no choice ;-)
Dive2gether's boat is completely equipped for diving! With enough tank racks to carry two tanks for each divers there's no rush to go back to shore after the first dive. This creates are really relaxed atmosphere. There a special bagage nets to store dry stuff and plenty of space to store your diving equipment under your seat. The captan doesn't speed too much although the boat has a very powerfull engine! The boat dives from Dive2gether's boat were great, every day different sites! Every day a surprise.
Because on Crete there aren't many diving centers offering boat dives the dive sites are very quiet. We've never seen other diving school and the dive sites really make a vergin impression to mee! Lot's of life and vegitation.
We had booked our flight loose on the internet and Dive2gether helped us organize a nice family apartment. We paid 46,- euro per night for the whole family! Next time I would definitely ask Dive2gether to find me an apartment again!
Diving on Crete is not cheap! For half the money I could dive in the Sharm. However, seeing the service me and my family were offerd it was worth every euro! I've been in the Red sea often enough to know that my wife wouldn't feel comfortable and my kids wouldn't get the course I would like them to have. Appartment was cheap though! We had a great apartment with kitchen, living room, wi-fi, a.c. and t.v. for only 46 euro per night in July! The restaurants were also very good! We've been eating almost every evening in a different one and always had good food. The prices are a joke! Food and drinks for about 12 euro per person! Thats what I call holiday! ;-)
The diving was intersting, exciting, perfectly organized and lot's to see but it is the Med's so don't expect schools of thousands of fish! But I've seen much more than I had expected! If you ever go there Please give them my warmest regards!!! " "
Peeter Groen (Netherlands), 2011
Seven Islands Dive Centre
Kontokali
Gouvia
Corfu
49100 Greece
Tel: 0030 266 109 0006
PADI dive centre which is being revamped for 2007. Offer three dives a day on their new dive boat, the Magdalena. Offer the normal PADI dive-courses, as well as DAN courses. Speak: English, Greek, Dutch, German, French and Arabic.
"I did my advanced open water in Greece in Corfu - have been diving there the last few years and used the same diving school each year. Seven Islands dive centre. It's family run and they are lovely, they even got my sister in the water who is scared of fish?! nothing is any trouble for them, they'll pick you up and drop you off from wherever your staying or need to go to. It's a great island aswell and the people are so friendly. The hotel we stayed in is the Kontokali Bay Hotel which is a five star hotel - gorgeous. Although there are other hotels nearby."
Jenny
"The operator I dived with was the Seven Islands Dive Centre, I dived extensively with them during my time in Corfu and found them extremely friendly, kind and they catered to my needs very well, ensuring a quality experience. They are located in the resort of Kontokali on the island of Corfu. I would definitely recommend diving with them to others, and I will again. The dive centre picked me up from my hotel and handled all dive logistics, all the gear I required was in very good condition and included in the price of the dives. As I dived extensively, I got a discount, and my wife participated in the open water course with the centre, and although she had some difficulties (she was scared) the staff there were extremely patient and caring, resulting in her certification. The dive centre arranged my accommodation for me and I found it to be clean, spacious, comfortable, with en suite and a balcony. It was also very cheap. Excellent value for money. "
Adam Young
Apollo Dive Center
Barbati Resort
Corfu
Greece
Tel: (+30) 697 470 5697
E-mail: divesafety1@yahoo.gr
Based in Nissaki Cove and Barbati resort (main street).
Achilleon Diving Center
Akrotiri Beach Hotel
TK 49083 Paleokastritsa
Corfu
Greece
Mobile: +306932729011
E-mail: divingcorfu@yahoo.gr
Very experienced, friendly and relaxed in a nice way. Speak English, Greek and a little of various European languages including Russian. Are enthusiastic, knowledgable and make it a pleasure. Cost is very reasonable and they are a very short boat transfer (15 mins max usually) from some excellent caves, reefs and Drop-offs. Have Nitrox available as well as usual hire stock diving gear. Visit every year I can, one of my favourite spots. Having dived with them for some years I now look on them as buddies and friends.
Donald
See also accommodation and Corfu dive sites.
St Nicholas Beach Diving CenterSt Nicholas Beach Dive Centre
Vassilikos Beach Hotel
Vassilikos
Zakynthos
29100
Greece
Tel: +30 6980 214275
E-mail: mike@stnicksdiving.com
Mykonos Diving Center
Psarou beach
E-mail: info@dive.gr
Tel: (+30) 2289024808.
"Mykonos Diving Center at Psarou beach was an excellent experience. Great locations along with a top quality service and equipment. Pricing starts at 60 Euro a dive and drops depending on the number of dives."
Sotiris Vassiliadis, Greece, 2005
FNEC Dive Center
, Ethnkis Antistaseos
C/O FNEC
Kefalonia island
Greece
Tel +306977478395
scuba@fnec.gr,
Fiskardo Dive Center was set up as an extension of the Fiskardo's Nautical and Environmental Club (FNEC) in 2002. The aim of the dive centre is not only to generate funds to support the voluntary activities of the club, but also to allow us the opportunity to show you the relatively unexplored areas of the Mediterranean sea without damaging or changing the original character and appearance of the underwater world.
FNEC was first established in June 1998 as a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation. The objective of the club is to promote the idea of voluntary service, nautical sports, environmental awareness, youth exchanges and to provide social services to the local community.
Halkidiki is a peninsula with 3 prongs jutting out into the Aegean Sea, southeast of the city of Thessaloniki.
Odyssey Dive Club
Pefkohori
Halkidiki 63085
info@odysseydive.com
"A great bunch of people, really passionate and knowledgable, and they care about the marine environment (which is more than some dive clubs in the Mediterranean do). We dived with them for two weeks last September/October - shore and boat dives, night, wreck and island, a great variety of sites and we saw a lot of marine life. It's a lovely area - I also saw a dolphin! We stayed with Neilson at the Anastasia hotel which is lovely, and I'm sure there are lots of other good places. "
Paula
Poseidon Diving Academy
Neos Marmaras
Halkidiki
Tel: +306972347371
Email: diveposeidon@gmail.com
"Diving with Poseidon Diving Academy was a great experience for all the family; the equipment is new and well kept, the boat great, the staff very helpful and professional and the dive sites varied. They always left on time and were very organised. Dimitri is a wonderful teacher and the kids loved being with him. The centre is located in the Porto carras resort in Neos Marmaras in Halkidiki and the prices were very reasonable.
These guys know what they are doing and obviously love their work. They offer a great service for a very reasonable price. Thank you Poseidon! "
Leonora Child, 2011
Vassiliki Divers
Lefkas Island
"Very friendly and good service. The cost of the dive is 35 Euros."
Giannis Kalopisis
Lesvos Scuba Oceanic Centre
Irinis 3
Mytilene
Tel: 0030 6945998764
Fax: 0030 22510 37799
info@lesvoscuba.gr
The only diving centre at the island; they dive from their custom 40 foot dive boat.
Meandros Diving
Taxiarxon 14
17455 Alimos
Greece
Tel: +30 210 9850220
Mobile: 6948364217
Fax: +30 210 9884596
meandros@meandros.gr
Offer sailing with SCUBA diving trips around Greek Islands.
"I took a 10 day package which included 7 days sailing with immediate stops for wreck diving in Cyclades islands (Lavrion, Syros, Paros and Mykonos ). Then I stayed 2 days in 3-star hotel in Santorini. The cost was Euros 85/ day/ person (plus Euros 5/person/ day for fuels). It was very nice I hope I can make it again. The sailing yacht (56ft) was in good condition, friendly skipper. Nice equipment. I felt king for 7 days! "
Dimitris Pelekis, Greece, 2006
Find Self-Catering Accommodation in Greece
Try Seaview Apartments, owner Stavros ( Good sort, very Kind and helpful) direct (look on Paleocastritsa's own website) or try Olympic Holidays at the last minute! Can't remember most of the costs but got 2 weeks in the Akrotiri Beach Hotel bed and breakfast for ?700 for two (flights and all) 2 years ago.And thats right above the Diving Centre. Down in the lift, a few stairs and on the beach.Perfect.
The Greek Islands by Lawrenced Durrell, Faber and Faber, Paperback.This captivating and highly unusual text, originally conceived as a picture book and now reset in paperback format, weaves together evocative descriptions, history and myth with Durrell's personal reminiscences.
See more details... Greek Island Hopping Independent Travellers Guide, Paperback.
Now in its 19th edition, covers every Greek Island, also Athens and mainland ports.
See more details... Sea Fishes and Invertebrates of the Mediterranean by Lawson Wood, 128 pages, New Holland Publishers (UK), 2002, Paperback.
Compact guidebook to 289 species. Designed for divers, snorkellers and underwater photographers.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk... Mediterranean and Atlantic Fish Guide by Helmut Debelius, 1997, hardback.
See more details... Mediterranean and Atlantic Invertebrate Guide by Helmut Debelius, 2003, hardback.
See more details...
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