The Best Scuba Diving Spots in Greece

Explore these diving sites by chartering a boat for the day through SamBoat, or book a week-long sailing holiday with Dream Yacht Charter to venture off the beaten track.

The south coast of Crete offers some of the best diving in the Mediterranean. Head to Skinaria, just east of Plakias, for a tranquil bay with plenty to see beneath the water’s surface. Swim through beautiful seagrass-covered gorges and skirt along a 30m (100ft) drop-off, home to a variety of moray eels and octopus. Advanced divers can venture into the underwater cavern. Visibility is excellent here, often stretching to 40m (131ft).

Travel back in time by booking a diving trip to see the HMHS Britannic, a World War I hospital ship that sank 5km (3mi) off the coast of Kea in 1916. It was constructed by the same shipbuilders as the Titanic and was originally designed to be a cruise liner, before it was requisitioned for the war. A word of caution: the depth and complexity of the wreck means it is only suitable for advanced divers. You also need a special permit from the Greek government, which can take up to a year to receive.

Corfu is known as the cavern diving centre of the world. On the northwest coast, Paleokastritsa is a particularly popular stretch of coastline. Beginners with their PADI Open Water certificate should head to the Hole of Ha, an easy cavern dive that ventures inside the cliff face – look out for fossilised conch shells and dripping stalactites. More experienced divers should book an excursion to the Chimney, a narrow chute starting at 28m (92ft), or Colovri Cave, home to dozens of colourful shrimp.

The volcanic island of Santorini offers exciting scuba diving possibilities: one of the best spots is Nea Kameni, formed by an eruption. The Santa Maria wreck, a 34m-long (112ft) steel passenger ship that sank in the Taxiarachis Bay in 1975, is 18m (59ft) under the surface and awaits all levels of divers. The nearby waters also feature underwater lava formations and sea caves that are worth exploring.

The Ionian island of Kefalonia is also an attractive destination, thanks to its incredible coastline, spectacular beaches and diverse nightlife. But for divers, it’s the wreck of the HMS Perseus that does the trick. This British submarine, built in 1929, sank during World War II in 1941 after striking an Italian mine 11km (6.8mi) off the coast. Incredibly, one crew member escaped and swam to shore. The wreck lies 52m (171ft) below the surface, but most of the dive averages at 40m (131ft).

If you are visiting Crete and find yourself near Chania, make a point of exploring the Elephant’s Cave. This partially filled underwater cave is in the Drepano area in Akrotiri. Home to an impressive series of red and white stalagmites and stalactites, it is a fascinating dive for experienced divers. The cave, shaped throughout several millennia, is home to a unique treasure: the fossilised remains of an extinct elephant, including vertebra, teeth and a tusk. Remains of other animals are also visible.

Off the coast of Zakynthos, the uninhabited island of Marathonisi is one of the main nesting zones for loggerhead sea turtles. As such, diving in the area will allow you to spot these graceful creatures swimming around, but you will also get a glimpse of local species, such as flying fish, octopus, eels and parrotfish. Remember, give the turtles plenty of space and don’t try to touch them.

Mykonos may be the Greek party island, but there are plenty of things to do beyond dancing ‘til dawn. Sunk in the southeastern region of Mykonos is the wreck of Anna II, a 62m-long (203ft) cargo ship, which is a perfect playground for wreck diving experts. The ship, at 25m (82ft), is still in great condition and is accessible for some exploration, but the surrounding area is equally captivating, especially the reef and its colonies of sponges.

Set sail for these diving spots by hiring a boat through SamBoat. Alternatively, Dream Yacht Charter offer multi-day sailing trips across Greece with diving as an optional add-on.

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