Scuba Diving in Crete Guide

Scuba diving in Crete means clear water, rocky walls, caves and reefs, the remains of ancient harbours and a Second World War wreck. Dive centres around the coast run courses and guided dives, mostly from spring to autumn.

This guide covers dive sites and dive centres. For beaches where you can snorkel straight from the shore, see our guide to snorkelling in Crete.

Dive sites in the Chania area

The German fighter wreck in Souda Bay

A Second World War German fighter, believed to be a Messerschmitt Bf 109, lies upside down on the seabed in the Kalami area of Souda Bay, east of Chania. Grafas Diving gives its depth as 39 to 41 metres, and its identity is not yet fully confirmed.

At that depth the wreck is beyond the limits of most recreational diving. The Chania diver Nikolas Giannoulakis, whose team located it, dives it on trimix, so it is a site for trained technical divers only. Do not touch or disturb the wreck.

Thodorou islet, off Platanias

Thodorou (Agioi Theodoroi) is a small island about 800 metres off Platanias Beach, 11 kilometres west of Chania, with dive sites around it. The nearest village is Platanias.

Dive centres in the Chania area

Blue Adventures Diving, on the Venetian harbour in Chania town, is a PADI dive centre that has run dives and courses since 1993.

Dive sites in the Rethymno area

Plakias and the south coast

Plakias, on the south coast 40 kilometres south of Rethymno, is the main diving base in the Rethymno region. Diving excursions and diving lessons run from the resort, and dive centres there offer both shore and boat dives.

Dive2gether runs boat dives, shore dives and PADI courses in the Plakias area.

Rethymno town

Rethymno town, on the north coast, also has dive trips and diving lessons. Our guide to Rethymno Town covers the rest of the town.

Dive sites in the Heraklion region

Agia Pelagia and Dia Island

Agia Pelagia, 16 kilometres northwest of Heraklion, is one of the most popular places for scuba diving in Crete. The bay is sheltered from the Meltemi (the northern summer wind) and from northwest winds, so the sea is almost always calm and clear.

Dive centres in the resort run lessons for beginners and dives for experienced divers. Diver’s Club Crete, based on Agia Pelagia beach since 1995, runs boat trips along the north coast and to Dia Island, and Cretan Divers is a PADI centre on the main road through the village. Our guide to Agia Pelagia covers the resort and its beach.

Matala

Matala, on the south coast of the Heraklion region, has the underwater remains of a Roman port on both sides of the rocks. Several ancient shipwrecks, mainly from the Roman period, have been found off Matala. Ancient remains under the sea are protected by Greek law, so look but never touch or take anything. Our guide to Matala covers the village, its caves and the beach.

Dive sites in the Lasithi region

Elounda and Agios Nikolaos

Elounda, north of Agios Nikolaos, sits beside the site of the ancient city of Olous, whose ruins lie in shallow water nearby and draw both divers and snorkellers. The bay of Agios Nikolaos and the Mirabello Gulf have dive centres too. Our guide to Elounda covers the village and the ruins of ancient Olous.

Pelagos Dive Centre is a PADI dive centre at the Minos Beach Art Hotel in Agios Nikolaos.

Diving safely in Crete

Diving in Crete is safest with a certified dive centre and within your own training. Keep these points in mind:

• Dive only to depths and on sites that match your certification and experience.
• Check the wind before you go, as the summer Meltemi can make the north coast rough.
• Keep good buoyancy control near wrecks and reefs, so you do not damage them or stir up the sediment.
• Leave ancient remains, wrecks and marine life as you find them.