Greece
Country Name: Greece
Capital City: Athens
Population: Approximately 10.4 million (2024 est.)
Official Language: Greek
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET), UTC +2; Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), UTC +3 during daylight saving time
Diving Overview
Greece offers a rich diving experience with its extensive coastline and numerous islands, featuring underwater caves, ancient shipwrecks, and vibrant marine life. The clear waters and diverse underwater landscapes make it an attractive destination for divers of all levels.
- Number of Dive Sites: Over 150
- Types of Diving: Reef, wreck, cave, and wall diving.
- Marine Biodiversity Highlights: Groupers, octopuses, moray eels, and a variety of Mediterranean fish species.
- Average Water Temperatures: 16-26°C (61-79°F)
- Visibility Range: 20-40 meters (66-131 feet)
Important Information
Optimal Dive Seasons
The best diving conditions are typically from May to October, when the waters are warm and visibility is high.
Major Airports
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (Athens), Thessaloniki Airport (Thessaloniki), Heraklion Airport (Crete)
The Travel Tip
A 5mm wetsuit is recommended for diving in Greece, especially in the cooler months, to ensure comfort during dives.
Weather Patterns
Greece has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, making it an ideal year-round destination.
Internal Transportation
Options include ferries, buses, domestic flights, and car rentals, connecting the islands and mainland efficiently.
Attractions
Major attractions include the Acropolis of Athens, Santorini’s caldera, Delphi’s ancient ruins, the beaches of Mykonos, and the monasteries of Meteora.
Top Dive Regions
Greece offers some of the most captivating and diverse diving experiences in the Mediterranean, with its Aegean and Ionian coastlines providing unique underwater landscapes and rich marine life. Chios is renowned for its clear waters, stunning coral formations, and diverse marine species, making it a favorite among divers of all levels. Crete combines dramatic underwater caves and ancient ruins with colorful coral reefs, offering a fascinating blend of history and marine exploration. Zakynthos, located in the Ionian Sea, is famous for its sea turtles and vibrant underwater scenery, providing unforgettable encounters with marine life. Lastly, Corfu offers diverse diving experiences, from reefs to shipwrecks, with excellent visibility, making it an ideal destination for divers seeking variety. These top dive sites highlight Greece’s diverse marine environments and its appeal as a premier diving destination.
Chios
Known for its clear waters, stunning coral formations, and a variety of marine life, making it ideal for both beginner and advanced divers.
Crete
Offers dramatic underwater caves, ancient ruins, and colorful coral reefs, providing a rich blend of history and marine exploration.
Zakynthos
Located in the Ionian Sea, it is famous for encounters with sea turtles and vibrant underwater scenery.
Corfu
A destination offering diverse diving experiences, from reefs to shipwrecks, with excellent visibility for underwater exploration.
Marine Life
Greece’s diverse marine environments, spanning both the Aegean and Ionian seas, are home to a remarkable variety of marine life. The coral reefs around islands such as Chios and Crete teem with vibrant Mediterranean fish, sea turtles, rays, and various species of octopuses. These reefs are also home to colorful corals, sponges, and an array of invertebrates. In the deeper waters around areas like Zakynthos and Corfu, divers can encounter larger marine species, including groupers, moray eels, and occasionally dolphins. Additionally, Greece’s waters host diverse species such as cuttlefish, barracudas, and a variety of nudibranchs and crustaceans. The unique marine ecosystems are supported by the nutrient-rich waters of the Mediterranean, making Greece a prime destination for marine biodiversity and underwater exploration.
Common Species: Sea turtles, rays, octopuses, groupers, moray eels, barracudas, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, and various species of Mediterranean fish.
Seasonal Highlights: Sea turtles are most active around the nesting sites of Zakynthos from May to August, offering exceptional sightings. The best time to encounter dolphins is typically from June to September.
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Overview of Chios
Introduction Overview Nestled in the heart of the Aegean Sea, Chios is a hidden gem that beckons divers from all over the world. This enchanting Greek island offers a unique blend of rich history, vibrant cultural traditions, and underwater marvels.…
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Diving the Antikythera Wreck in Greece
Introduction Brief Overview of Diving in Greece Greece is one of the top Mediterranean diving destinations due to its long coastline, many islands, and rich maritime history. Sunken cities, ancient ships, and lively marine communities are just some of the…