Apokoronas Diving Park FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about the Apokoronas Diving Park at Ombros Gialos: location, opening timeline, the Folegandros and Nestor wrecks, certification requirements, and joining the waitlist with Kefi Divers.
The Apokoronas Diving Park
Location
Off Ombros Gialos on the Apokoronas coast, just east of Almyrida and a short boat ride from our dive centre.
Opening
Expected to open for the start of summer 2027, subject to the required approval.
Wrecks
Two vessels are already in place: the Tugboat Nestor and HMS Folegandros, both at a maximum depth of approximately 19 m.
Marine Life
Artificial reefs attract octopus, moray eels, nudibranchs, wrasse, and pelagics such as amberjack and dentex.
What is the Apokoronas Diving Park and where is it located?
The Apokoronas Diving Park — also known locally as the Ombros Gialos Diving Park — lies off Ombros Gialos on the Apokoronas coast, just east of Almyrida in Chania, Crete. Its main wrecks and artificial reef structures are already in place on the seabed, but the park is not yet open for normal recreational diving. Our dive centre in Almyrida is only minutes away.
When does the diving park officially open?
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. Guided recreational dives on the wrecks can begin only after the official opening.
What can I dive in the park right now?
Not yet. Both flagship wrecks are already on the seabed — the R/K Nestor tugboat, scuttled in April 2025 as the park's first vessel, and HMS Folegandros, the former Hellenic Navy landing craft scuttled on 10 June 2026 — but the park is not yet open for normal recreational diving. The dives carried out there so far have been authorised survey dives, not recreational diving. Send us your certification level and travel dates and we'll add you to the waitlist.
How deep are the Folegandros and the Tugboat Nestor?
The Tugboat Nestor and HMS Folegandros each reach a maximum depth of approximately 19 metres. Both wrecks are within Open Water certification depth limits.
Do I need a special certification to dive the Folegandros?
Open Water certification is sufficient for both the Tugboat Nestor and HMS Folegandros, as each reaches a maximum depth of approximately 19 metres. Any potential wreck-penetration routes will be assessed and inspected only after the park officially opens; divers must always follow the certification, equipment and route requirements established at that time.
Is the park protected from anchoring, fishing and vandalism?
Yes. The diving park area is designated as a protected marine zone with 24/7 surveillance, mooring buoys in place of anchoring, and strict no-take rules. The goal is to let the wrecks colonise naturally and become a long-term sanctuary for marine life.
How do guided boat dives at the diving park work?
Once the park officially opens, we intend to run guided boat dives on the Tugboat Nestor and HMS Folegandros from Almyrida, with a short crossing, a full briefing on board and a maximum of 4 divers per instructor. Both wrecks reach a maximum depth of approximately 19 metres and are suitable for Open Water divers. A two-wreck itinerary may be possible, subject to the official operating arrangements and conditions. Mention the diving park when you contact us and we'll add you to the waitlist.
How do guided shore dives near the diving park work?
Physical shore access at Ombros Gialos is easy, but reaching the park's wrecks from shore requires a swim out. Kefi Divers intends to offer boat dives to the wrecks once the park officially opens. Elephant Cave is a separate, boat-only dive site and is not part of a diving-park shore dive.
What marine life will develop on the new wrecks?
Artificial reefs like these are quickly colonised by Mediterranean species. Expect to see schools of damselfish and bream, octopus, moray eels, scorpionfish, nudibranchs and wrasse moving in over the coming seasons, with larger pelagics such as amberjack, dentex and barracuda passing through. Our Marine Life gallery shows the species you can already spot on the local reefs.
Why is the Chania Diving Park such a big deal for Crete?
It's the first project of its kind on this scale in western Crete — a coordinated marine park combining wrecks, habitat protection and surveillance. It puts Apokoronas firmly on the European wreck-diving map and supports year-round, low-impact dive tourism for the region.
How do I book a dive on the Folegandros or the Tugboat Nestor?
The easiest way is to send us a message with your certification level and travel dates. We'll add you to the waitlist and contact you as soon as the park officially opens, then suggest the right wreck for your experience and arrange a guided dive with an instructor who knows the sites inside out.