Apokoronas Diving Park at Ombros Gialos, Crete

Guide to the 60,000 m² Apokoronas Diving Park at Ombros Gialos, its R/K Nestor and HMS Folegandros wrecks, artificial habitats and conditional summer 2027 opening.

Category: Dive Sites

Date: April 6, 2025

Read time: 12 min read

Dive Sites

April 6, 2025

12 min read

Guide to the 60,000 m² Apokoronas Diving Park at Ombros Gialos, its R/K Nestor and HMS Folegandros wrecks, artificial habitats and conditional summer 2027 opening.

Apokoronas Diving Park at Ombros Gialos near Almyrida — Crete's new underwater marine park

What Is the Apokoronas Diving Park?

Where Is the Diving Park?

Current Status and Expected Opening

How Large Is the Diving Park?

HMS Folegandros

R/K Nestor

What Is Inside the Park?

Access to Ombros Gialos and the Wrecks

Diving Depth and Certification

What Divers Can Expect Once the Park Opens

Future Diving Park Trips with Kefi Divers

Why the Park Matters to Apokoronas

Practical Information for Future Visits

✅ Update — Second wreck now in place

The Apokoronas Diving Park (also known as the Ombros Gialos Diving Park) now has both main wrecks and 37 artificial reef structures in place. HMS Folegandros was scuttled on 10 June 2026, joining the R/K Nestor tugboat scuttled on 2 April 2025. The park is not yet open for recreational diving and is expected to open for the start of summer 2027, subject to the required approval.

🌊 Reef Field

Thirty-seven artificial habitat structures were placed on the seabed in October 2024 with the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research as part of the Apokoronas Diving Park project at Ombros Gialos near Almyrida.

Tugboat Nestor in Apokoronas diving marine park

Diving park in Apokoronas - Nestor wreck side view

Diving park - Nestor cabin exploration

Underwater view of the Tugboat Nestor wreck

Tugboat Nestor structure details

Artificial reef structures in Ombros Gialos

Artificial reef structures placed on the seabed at Ombros Gialos

Ombros Gialos bay - Crete's newest dive site

Ombros Gialos – the coastal bay where the Apokoronas Diving Park's wrecks and reef structures are in place, pending its opening to recreational divers.

Artificial reef structure at the Apokoronas Diving Park

One of the artificial habitat structures at the Apokoronas Diving Park

Artificial reef structure on the sandy seabed at Ombros Gialos

Underwater view of artificial reefs in Ombros Gialos, enhancing marine life habitats.

The Tugboat Nestor resting on the seabed

The Tugboat Nestor resting on the seabed at Ombros Gialos.

Tugboat R/K Nestor

The ship was donated to the municipality of Apokoronas.

Max Depth:

Approximately 19m

Min Depth:

Length:

23.5m

Width:

The Apokoronas Diving Park, also called the Ombros Gialos Diving Park, is a developing 60,000 m² marine recreation area near Almyrida. Its infrastructure is in place, but it is not yet open for recreational diving.

Kefi Divers is based in Almyrida, minutes from this approximately 60,000 m² (6-hectare) underwater park. Its system includes the R/K Nestor tugboat wreck, HMS Folegandros and 37 main artificial habitat structures. The park is not yet open for recreational diving.

The Apokoronas Diving Park is a protected underwater park at Ombros Gialos on the Apokoronas coast of Crete. Also known as the Ombros Gialos Diving Park and sometimes described as the Chania Diving Park, it covers approximately 60,000 m² (6 hectares) and combines two wrecks with an artificial habitat system.

The site brings together wreck diving in Chania, artificial habitats and marine protection close to Almyrida. Its physical infrastructure is in place, but recreational diving will begin only after the park officially opens.

Local Attractions Around the Diving Park

Apokoronas, on the northwestern coast of Crete, is a beautiful region filled with charming villages, rich history, and stunning landscapes. After your dive, take a relaxing stroll around Almyrida — known for its cozy tavernas, cafes, and sandy beach.

A short drive takes you to Chania, one of Crete's most historically rich cities. The Venetian Harbor is a must-see, and you can visit the Archaeological Museum or explore the Ancient Aptera ruins.

Day Trip Ideas

For nature lovers, the Samaria Gorge (UNESCO World Heritage Site) offers a challenging but rewarding hike. Or simply enjoy the serenity of the surrounding olive groves — a signature of Cretan rural life.

Accessibility from Popular Locations

From Almyrida, the diving park is just a short drive away. Chania is only 20 km away, and from Heraklion it's approximately a 2-hour drive — easy for a day trip.

Local Dive Shops and Facilities

Kefi Divers is based minutes from the new diving park and our experienced instructors are ready to guide you through it once it officially opens.

We offer a range of diving courses from beginner to advanced, and can help you explore other nearby dive sites too.

Crete is one of the most popular places to dive in Greece. With warm, clear waters and a wide range of marine life, it's perfect for beginners and certified divers alike.

Scuba Diving in Almyrida

Almyrida is a convenient base for diving, with access to established shore and boat dive sites. Kefi Divers offers courses and guided dives at currently available sites, while the Diving Park remains closed to recreational diving.

The Ombros Gialos Diving Park is the result of a project that began in autumn 2014. Its development brought together local authorities, marine researchers and specialist teams over more than a decade.

The development involved meticulous planning — addition and removal of seabed materials, installation of artificial reefs and sunken ships, directional signage, lighting, and mooring points.

The establishment of the diving park not only enhances the region's appeal to diving enthusiasts but also contributes to marine conservation by creating new habitats for marine life.

Before becoming an underwater attraction, the Tugboat Nestor served as a powerful vessel designed to maneuver larger ships. Tugboats are built to withstand tough conditions, making them ideal candidates for artificial reefs.

The R/K Nestor now rests upright on the sandy seabed at Ombros Gialos near Almyrida. It reaches a maximum depth of approximately 19 m and is within Open Water depth limits. The park is not yet open for recreational diving.

🛠️ A working life before retirement

The R/K Nestor was a steel-hulled harbour and coastal tugboat in service for decades before being decommissioned and donated to the Ombros Gialos Diving Park project. At roughly 23.5 m long and 6 m wide, with a reinforced hull built for towing duties in heavy seas, she was an ideal candidate for conversion into a permanent artificial reef. Before scuttling she was fully decontaminated — fuel, oils, batteries and any hazardous materials removed — under the supervision of Greek environmental authorities. Any potential wreck-penetration routes will be assessed and inspected only after the park officially opens.

📏 Depth profile and dive plan

The Tugboat Nestor sits upright on a sandy seabed at a maximum depth of approximately 19 m. The wreck is within PADI Open Water depth limits. The park is not yet open for recreational diving, and any potential penetration routes will be assessed and inspected only after the official opening.

🤿 Diving the Nestor with Kefi Divers

Physical shore access at Ombros Gialos is easy, but reaching the wreck from shore requires a swim out. Once the park officially opens, Kefi Divers intends to offer guided boat dives from Almyrida. A second dive on HMS Folegandros may be possible as part of a two-wreck itinerary, subject to the official operating arrangements and conditions.

A tugboat is a small but extremely powerful vessel built to push, pull, and manoeuvre much larger ships — cargo freighters, tankers, cruise liners and warships — into and out of harbours, narrow channels and open sea. Despite their compact size, modern tugs produce some of the highest power-to-length ratios of any boat afloat.

Their reinforced steel hulls, deep keels and heavy-duty engines are designed to take a beating: towing in rough seas, assisting disabled vessels, and even fighting fires at sea. That same rugged construction is exactly what makes a retired tugboat such an excellent candidate for an artificial reef — the hull resists corrosion for decades and provides a stable, complex structure for marine life to colonise.

Once cleaned of fuel, oils and any hazardous materials, a tugboat can be safely scuttled to become a permanent underwater habitat — and a captivating playground for scuba divers. The Tugboat Nestor is a textbook example: a working vessel given a second life as the centrepiece wreck of the Apokoronas Diving Park.

🌊 Artificial Reefs

The artificial habitat system includes 37 main structures across 7 habitat types, together with 4 navigational beacons, within the approximately 60,000 m² (6-hectare) park area. These structures are designed to support marine-life growth and create varied underwater points of interest.

⚓ Shipwrecks to Explore

The two decommissioned vessels are already in place as permanent artificial wrecks. Recreational diving will begin only after the park officially opens.

The second vessel — the decommissioned Hellenic Navy landing craft HMS Folegandros (40 m × 8.8 m, acquired from the USA in 1974) — was scuttled at Ombros Gialos on Wednesday 10 June 2026, joining the R/K Nestor tugboat as the park's second wreck. Read the full Folegandros story →

🤿 Dive Routes for All Experience Levels

Both the Tugboat Nestor and HMS Folegandros reach a maximum depth of approximately 19 m, within Open Water certification limits. The final recreational routes will be confirmed when the park officially opens.

Scuttling a ship — intentionally sinking it in a controlled, environmentally responsible way — is widely used to create artificial reefs. The Tugboat Nestor adds a captivating wreck for divers while providing a secure habitat for marine life.

Accessible to All

Both R/K Nestor and HMS Folegandros reach a maximum depth of approximately 19 m, within Open Water certification depth limits. The park itself occupies a wider bathymetric area, approximately 8 m to 25 m, but that is not a universal recreational dive-depth range; every route will depend on its own profile, conditions and operating requirements.

📣 Update — June 2026

The Hellenic Navy landing craft HMS Folegandros was scuttled at the Ombros Gialos Diving Park on 10 June 2026. It now rests at a maximum depth of approximately 19 m alongside R/K Nestor. The park is not yet open for recreational diving and is expected to open for the start of summer 2027, subject to the required approval. Read the full Folegandros story →

At the heart of the project are artificial reef structures designed in collaboration with the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. They provide essential shelter and feeding grounds for marine life.

The park promotes eco diving in Crete, helping reduce the strain on over-exploited natural dive sites and ensuring these important ecosystems remain healthy.

The Apokoronas Diving Park brings benefits far beyond the bubbles:

🌿 Marine Biodiversity:

Sunken ships and reef structures provide shelter and breeding grounds, helping restore underwater ecosystems.

🌍 Tourism & Local Economy:

Expected to attract divers worldwide, boosting local businesses from dive centres to restaurants.

📚 Education & Conservation:

A living classroom offering hands-on learning about Mediterranean marine environments.

🌊 Eco-Friendly Activities:

Snorkeling, marine photography, and citizen science dives centred around responsible exploration.

Once the park officially opens, divers can expect two distinct wrecks, a developing artificial reef system and planned routes within one protected area. Actual dive plans will depend on certification, conditions and the approved operating arrangements.

The park brings together marine habitat creation, local heritage and future low-impact diving in one protected area.

For Apokoronas, the park is intended to support marine conservation and strengthen sustainable diving tourism around Ombros Gialos, Almyrida and Chania.

Kefi Divers is based in Almyrida, a short boat ride from the Apokoronas Diving Park. Once the park officially opens, we plan to offer guided boat trips to the wrecks in small groups. Until then, visitors can register their interest and share their certification level and travel dates.

👉 Want to be one of the first to explore the new park?

and we'll contact you as soon as it officially opens!

Discover Scuba Diving

Certified Diver (Fun Dives)

The park is not yet open for recreational diving. These points will help visitors prepare for a future trip:

Best Time to Dive

Visit between May and October for the warmest weather and calmest seas. Water temperatures range from 22°C to 28°C with visibility often reaching 20–30 metres.

Dive with a Certified Instructor

Wait for the official opening before planning a recreational dive in the park. Kefi Divers intends to offer guided trips only after opening and under the approved operating arrangements.

Bring or Rent the Right Gear

Physical shore access at Ombros Gialos is easy, but reaching the wrecks from shore requires a swim out. Kefi Divers plans to use a boat for guided wreck dives.

Choose Your Dive Site

Both wrecks reach a maximum depth of approximately 19 m and are within Open Water depth limits, subject to normal dive planning, conditions and applicable requirements.

Respect the Environment

Follow environmentally responsible diving practices — don't touch marine life or wrecks, and avoid damaging reef structures. These artificial reefs were created to protect marine life.

The Apokoronas Diving Park is not yet open for recreational diving. Send us your certification level and travel dates to join the waitlist, and we will contact you once the official opening is confirmed.

Dive Experiences

Book boat dives, shore dives & more

Dive Sites

Explore all our dive locations

Marine Life

Discover what lives beneath the waves

Crete is one of the most popular places to dive in Greece. With warm, clear waters and a wide range of marine life, it's perfect for beginners and certified divers alike. Read more...

The region of Chania has quickly become a favourite among divers visiting Crete. From natural reefs to underwater caves and now the diving park, it offers plenty of variety. Read more...

👉 Want to be one of the first to explore the new park? Register your interest here and we'll contact you as soon as it officially opens!

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions about the diving park?

Visit our dedicated Chania Diving Park FAQ for detailed answers about the wrecks, certification levels, opening timeline, and how to register your interest.

Read the Diving Park FAQ

What is the Apokoronas Diving Park?

The Apokoronas Diving Park is a protected underwater park at Ombros Gialos on the Apokoronas coast of Chania, Crete. Also known as the Ombros Gialos Diving Park, it covers approximately 60,000 m² (6 hectares) and contains two wrecks and an artificial habitat system.

Where is the Apokoronas Diving Park?

It is at Ombros Gialos in Apokoronas, just east of Almyrida in Chania, Crete. Kefi Divers is based nearby in Almyrida.

Is the Apokoronas Diving Park open yet?

No. The wrecks and main artificial habitat structures are in place, but the park is not yet open for recreational diving.

When is the Diving Park expected to open?

It is expected to open for the start of summer 2027, subject to the required approval. This timing is not guaranteed.

Can I dive the park now?

No. Recreational diving in the park is not currently available or bookable. You can register your interest with Kefi Divers for contact after the official opening.

What wrecks are in the park?

The two wrecks are R/K Nestor, a tugboat scuttled on 2 April 2025, and HMS Folegandros, a 40-metre former Hellenic Navy landing craft scuttled on 10 June 2026.

How deep are the wrecks?

R/K Nestor and HMS Folegandros each reach a maximum depth of approximately 19 m. The park’s wider bathymetric area extends approximately from 8 m to 25 m, but that is not a universal recreational dive-depth range.

What certification will be needed?

Both wrecks are within Open Water certification depth limits. Every dive will still depend on the approved routes, the diver’s training and experience, conditions and applicable requirements after opening.

Can the park be accessed from shore?

Ombros Gialos has easy physical shore access. That describes access to the coastal area, not easy access to every feature in the park.

Can the wrecks be reached from shore?

Reaching the wrecks from shore requires a swim out. Kefi Divers intends to offer guided boat dives to the wrecks once the park officially opens.

Will Kefi Divers offer Diving Park trips, and how can I register interest?

Kefi Divers plans to offer guided boat trips after the park officially opens. Send us your certification level and travel dates to join the interest list, and we will contact you when recreational diving becomes available.

Apokoronas Diving Park: quick facts

Location

Ombros Gialos, Apokoronas, Chania, Crete

Current status

Not yet open for recreational diving

Expected opening

Start of summer 2027, subject to the required approval

Area

Approximately 60,000 m² / 6 hectares

Artificial habitat system

37 main artificial habitat structures across 7 habitat types, plus 4 navigational beacons

Wrecks

R/K Nestor and HMS Folegandros

R/K Nestor

Scuttled on 2 April 2025

HMS Folegandros

Scuttled on 10 June 2026

Wreck depth

Approximately 19 m maximum for both wrecks