Chania Diving Park FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about the Chania Diving Park: location, opening timeline, the Folegandros and Tugboat Nestor wrecks, certification requirements, and how to book with Kefi Divers.
The Chania Diving Park
Location
Off Ombros Gialos on the Apokoronas coast, just east of Almyrida and a short boat ride from our dive centre.
Opening
Official launch is planned for October–November 2026, after municipal approval on 29 June 2026.
Wrecks
Two vessels are already in place: the Tugboat Nestor at ~15.5 m and the HMS Folegandros at 25–30 m.
Marine Life
Artificial reefs attract octopus, moray eels, nudibranchs, wrasse, and pelagics such as amberjack and dentex.
What is the Chania Diving Park and where is it located?
The Chania Diving Park is a new underwater attraction taking shape off Ombros Gialos, on the Apokoronas coast just east of Almyrida. The plan combines deliberately scuttled vessels with protected reef habitat to create one of the most exciting wreck-diving destinations in Greece — all within easy reach of our Almyrida dive centre.
When does the diving park officially open?
Following the scuttling of the HMS Folegandros on 10 June 2026 and municipal council approval on 29 June 2026, the park is on track for its official opening between October and November 2026. Guided dives on the wrecks will be available as soon as the park officially opens to recreational divers.
What can I dive in the park right now?
Two flagship wrecks are already in place: the Tugboat Nestor — scuttled in 2025 as the first vessel of the park — and the HMS Folegandros, a former Greek Navy landing craft sent down in June 2026 to become the centrepiece of the site. They will be open to recreational diving as soon as the park officially launches.
How deep are the Folegandros and the Tugboat Nestor?
The Tugboat Nestor sits in about 15.5 metres of water, making it accessible to Open Water divers. The HMS Folegandros rests significantly deeper, in the 25–30 m range, which puts the main deck and structure firmly in Advanced Open Water territory.
Do I need a special certification to dive the Folegandros?
For the Folegandros we recommend PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) because of the depth. Open Water divers can comfortably enjoy the shallower Tugboat Nestor and the surrounding reef. We never penetrate the wrecks without the appropriate Wreck Diver training, qualifications and planning.
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'll run guided boat dives on the Tugboat Nestor and HMS Folegandros from Almyrida — short crossing, full briefing on board, and a maximum of 4 divers per instructor. The wrecks sit between roughly 15 and 28 metres, so you'll need to be at least Open Water certified (Advanced Open Water recommended for the deeper Folegandros). Mention the diving park when you contact us and we'll add you to the boat-dive waitlist.
How do guided shore dives near the diving park work?
Shore dives are the easy-access option straight from the Almyrida coastline — no boat required. Once the park opens, we'll combine our well-loved local shore sites (like the Elephant Cave) with shallower park entry points, in small groups with an instructor leading the way. They're ideal for refreshers, beginners and Open Water divers who want to ease back into the water before tackling the deeper wrecks.
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.