Dive Sites in Chania, Crete
Explore stunning dive sites in Chania, Crete including Elephant Cave, SS Minnewaska wreck, and more. Discover underwater caves, walls, and marine life.
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Dive Site Access
Our dive sites are accessible by boat or directly from the shore. Boat dives depart from Almyrida harbor and typically include two dive sites per trip. Shore dives offer the convenience of easy access with all equipment provided.
Boat Dives
Access remote sites like the Elephant Cave and shipwrecks. Includes a comfortable boat ride.
Shore Dives
Walk-in access to protected sites like Koutalas. Perfect for beginners and training dives.
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Read our guides on Crete's best underwater destinations, from WWII wrecks to vibrant reefs.
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Not yet open for recreational diving — the park is awaiting its official opening.
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Dive Sites in Chania, Crete
Not Yet Open for Recreational Diving
Not yet bookable — send us your certification level and travel dates and we'll add you to the waitlist for when the park officially opens.
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Popular Dive Sites
Discover the underwater wonders of Crete's northern coast, from ancient caves to historic shipwrecks.
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Elephant Cave
A surreal underwater cave with crystal-clear water, stunning formations, and even real ancient elephant bones! This unique geological wonder is one of Crete's most remarkable diving destinations. The cave features beautiful stalactites and stalagmites formed over millions of years, and the remains of prehistoric elephants that once inhabited the island.
Ancient elephant fossil remains
Stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations
Crystal-clear water with excellent visibility
Unique geological features
Suitable for all certification levels
Koutalas
Our most popular and protected shore dive site is like an underwater nursery, teeming with life. Perfect for all skill levels with abundant marine biodiversity. The shallow waters and calm conditions make it ideal for training dives and beginners, while the rich marine life keeps experienced divers coming back.
Easy shore access
Protected bay with calm waters
Excellent for training and beginners
Rich biodiversity
Night diving available
Tugboat Nestor
Explore the fascinating remains of this historic tugboat, now home to abundant marine life and an atmospheric diving experience. The wreck sits upright on the sandy bottom and has become an artificial reef, attracting a diverse array of marine species. It was scuttled in April 2025 as the first vessel of the Apokoronas Diving Park at Ombros Gialos, which is not yet open for normal recreational diving.
Intact tugboat wreck
Easy penetration opportunities
Rich marine life around wreck
Good for underwater photography
Suitable for advanced open water divers
SS Minnewaska III
Dive into Souda Bay and discover the remains of a World War I shipwreck. This atmospheric site blends maritime history with underwater exploration. The vessel was sunk in 1917 and now rests on the seabed, providing a home for diverse marine life and a fascinating glimpse into naval history.
World War I historical shipwreck
Well-preserved ship structure
Rich in maritime history
Abundant marine life on the wreck
Recommended for advanced divers
The Wall
Say hello to epic rocks, soak in that stunning visibility, and glide down easy into the deep. A dramatic underwater cliff face with incredible marine life. The wall drops dramatically from 12m to over 40m, offering an exhilarating drift dive experience along its vertical face.
Dramatic vertical wall dive
Excellent visibility
Drift diving opportunity
Spectacular underwater scenery
Multiple depth options
Kalami
This site offers something for everyone with wrecking balls at 5 meters and an airplane wreck resting at 40 meters. Diverse depths for all experience levels. The varied terrain makes it perfect for multi-level diving with something interesting at every depth.
Airplane wreck at depth
Suitable for multiple skill levels
Varied underwater terrain
Multi-level dive opportunities
Interesting artifacts to explore
Canyon
A narrow, rocky passage beneath the surface that creates an exciting swim-through experience with beautiful light effects. The canyon walls rise up on either side as you navigate through this underwater gorge, with shafts of light creating an ethereal atmosphere.
Exciting swim-through experience
Beautiful natural light effects
Dramatic rock formations
Multiple photo opportunities
Moderate difficulty level
Ombros Gialos
Ombros Gialos, just east of Almyrida on the Apokoronas coast, is the site of the Apokoronas Diving Park. Its artificial reef structures and two wrecks are already in place on the seabed, forming a protected marine habitat, but the park is not yet open for normal recreational diving. Its official opening is currently expected around October–November 2026.
Innovative underwater park development
Artificial reef structures
Growing marine ecosystem
Multiple dive zones for different levels
Conservation-focused diving
HMS Folegandros
The decommissioned Hellenic Navy landing craft HMS Folegandros was scuttled on 10 June 2026 as the second wreck of the Apokoronas Diving Park at Ombros Gialos, and now rests on the seabed alongside R/K Nestor. The 40-metre vessel is not yet open to recreational divers — the park has still to open officially — and is reached by boat from Almyrida.