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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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
Elephant Cave is a shallow boat dive near Almyrida, with a maximum depth of approximately 8–9 metres. Divers enter through a spacious underwater passage, approximately 5 metres high and 6 metres wide, with around 20–25 metres of overhead environment on our normal route. There are no tight sections. After passing through the overhead section, the dive continues underwater towards the back of the cave before surfacing in a large natural air chamber. Inside the chamber, divers remain floating in their scuba equipment while the guide explains the cave, its formations and the prehistoric remains found inside. These include two leg bones and two molar teeth from Elephas chaniensis, an extinct elephant endemic to Crete, as well as remains of dwarf deer. The elephant remains are estimated to be around 50,000–60,000 years old. After exploring the chamber, the group descends and exits underwater along the same route. The cave was discovered in 1999 by local diver and spearfisher Manolis Efthymakis (Μανώλης Ευθυμάκης). Its name comes from the prehistoric elephant remains found inside the cave.
Boat access from Almyrida
Submerged entrance around 8–9 m
Natural air chamber and red and white formations
Elephas chaniensis and dwarf deer fossil remains
Suitability subject to diver assessment
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
The R/K Nestor was scuttled in April 2025 as the first wreck of the Apokoronas Diving Park at Ombros Gialos. It rests upright at a maximum depth of approximately 19 metres and is suitable for Open Water divers. The park is not yet officially open for recreational diving; future recreational access depends on the official opening and required approval.
Intact tugboat wreck
Maximum depth approximately 19 m
Rich marine life around the wreck
Good for underwater photography
Open Water certification sufficient
SS Minnewaska III
At the entrance to Souda Bay, the largely broken-up remains of SS Minnewaska III mark where the former passenger liner and First World War troop transport struck a mine on 29 November 1916. This boat-only dive lies over sand at approximately 12–19m, with surviving hull sections and exposed ribs but no penetration routes. It is suitable for Open Water divers or equivalent when appropriately guided and comfortable with the conditions.
First World War passenger-liner and troop-transport remains
Surviving hull sections and exposed ribs
Boat access only
Open Water suitability when appropriately guided
No wreck penetration routes
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 two wrecks and 37 artificial reef structures are already in place, but the park is not yet open for recreational diving. It is expected to open for the start of summer 2027, subject to the required approval. Physical shore access is easy, although reaching the wrecks from shore requires a swim out; Kefi Divers intends to offer boat dives once the park opens.
Two wrecks and 37 artificial reef structures
Protected marine habitat
Easy physical shore access
Wrecks require a swim out from shore
Not yet open for recreational diving
HMS Folegandros
The decommissioned 40-metre Hellenic Navy landing craft HMS Folegandros was scuttled on 10 June 2026 as the second wreck of the Apokoronas Diving Park at Ombros Gialos. It rests at a maximum depth of approximately 19 metres and is suitable for Open Water divers. The park is not yet open for recreational diving; recreational diving will begin only after the official opening.