Diving in Alonissos Marine Park

Explore 157 dive sites in Alonissos Marine Park, Greece. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Alonissos Marine Park

The warmest water temperatures in Alonissos Marine Park occur in August, averaging 27.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 13.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 14.5°C
  • February: 13.9°C
  • March: 14.2°C
  • April: 15.4°C
  • May: 18.7°C
  • June: 23.5°C
  • July: 26.5°C
  • August: 27.2°C
  • September: 25.3°C
  • October: 22.8°C
  • November: 19.9°C
  • December: 16.9°C

Marine Life in Alonissos Marine Park

Home to 16 recorded species including 3 whales & dolphins, 3 reef fish, 2 other, 2 hard corals, 2 crabs & lobsters, 1 seagrass & algae.

Recommended Packing List for Alonissos Marine Park

Based on average water temperature of 19.9°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 20°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Alonissos Marine Park

  • To nisi Piperi stis Voreies Sporades - Natural Monuments and landmarks (protected as strict nature reserve) (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Ethniko Thalassio Parko Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - National Marine Park (IUCN Category VI)
  • Ethniko Parko Schinia Marathona - National Park (IUCN Category IV)
  • Periochi dimon Argous kai Mideas (perioches 5 kai 5a) - Nature reserve area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Zones A1, A2, A3, A4 kai A5 Ethnikou Parkou Schinia - Marathona - Nature reserve zone in National Park (IUCN Category IV)
  • Zones A2, A3, A4, A5 kai A7 periochis A Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Voreion Sporadon - Nature reserve zone in National Marine Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Leichoura Dimou Pteleou - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ygrotopoi kai nisia kolpou Atalantis - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ekvoles Spercheiou-Anthlili-Roditsa - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Zones A1 kai A6 periochis A Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Nature reserve zone in National Marine Park (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Zoni Eidikon Rythmiseon B1 Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Others (IUCN Category IV)
  • Zoni Oikistikon Rythmiseon B2 kai B3 kai Zoni B4 Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Others (IUCN Category VI)
  • Zoni A8: Periochi Eidikon Rythmiseon Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Others (IUCN Category II)
  • Zoni A9: Periochi Eidikon Rythmiseon Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Others (IUCN Category VI)
  • PALIOURI – AKROTIRI KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • PLATANITSI - SYKIA: ΑKR. RIGAS - AKR. ADOLO - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • AKROTIRIO PYRGOS - ORMOS KYPSAS - MALAMO - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • SKIATHOS: KOUKOUNARIES KAI EVRYTERI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ETHNIKO THALASSIO PARKO ALONNISOU – VOREION SPORADON, ANATOLIKI SKOPELOS - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • OROS OCHI – KAMPOS KARYSTOU – POTAMI – AKROTIRIO KAFIREFS – PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • MEGALO KAI MIKRO LIVARI - DELTA XERIA - YDROCHARES DASOS AG. NIKOLAOU - PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • KOILADA KAI EKVOLES SPERCHEIOU – MALIAKOS KOLPOS – MESOCHORI SPERCHEIOU - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ORI GIDOVOUNI, CHIONOVOUNI, GAIDOUROVOUNI, KORAKIA, KALOGEROVOUNI, KOULOCHERA KAI PERIOCHI MONEMVASIAS SPILAIO SOLOMOU TRYPA KAI PYRGOS AG. STEFANOU KAI THALASSIA ZONI EOS AKROTIRIO KAMILI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • EKVOLES EVROTA, PERIOCHI VRONTAMA KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI LAKONIKOU KOLPOU - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ETHNIKO PARKO SCHINIA - MARATHONA - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • VRAVRONA - PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • SOUNIO - NISIDA PATROKLOU KAI PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • AGIOS EFSTRATIOS KAI PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • VOREIA CHIOS KAI NISOI OINOUSSES KAI PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • VRACHONISIDES KALOGEROI KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • PARAKTIA ZONI DYTIKIS MILOY - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS POLYAIGOS - KIMOLOS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS ANTIMILOS - THALASSIA PARAKTIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NOTIA SERIFOS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • VOREIODYTIKI KYTHNOS: OROS ATHERAS - AKROTIRIO KEFALOS KAI PARAKTIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOI DESPOTIKO KAI STRONGYLO KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • YGROTOPOI NEAS FOKAIAS - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIA KYRA PANAGIA, PIPERI, PSATHOURA KAI GYRO NISIDES AGIOS GEORGIOS, NISOI ADELFOI, LECHOUSA, GAIDOURONISIA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • MEGALO KAI MIKRO LIVARI - DELTA XERIA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES SKYROU KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • OROS OCHI, PARAKTIA ZONI KAI NISIDES - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • KATO ROUS KAI EKVOLES SPERCHEIOU POTAMOU - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES MYRTOOU PELAGOUS: FALKONERA,VELOPOULA, ANANES KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • YGROTOPOS SCHINIA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS AGIOS EFSTRATIOS KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIA ANTIPSARA KAI NISIDES DASKALIO, MASTROGIORGI, PRASONISI, KATO NISI, MESIAKO, KOYTSOYLIA KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES PAROU KAI NOTIA ANTIPAROS KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES MYKONOU: RINEIA, CHTAPODIA, KAI TRAGONISI KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ANDROS: KENTRIKO KAI NOTIO TMIMA, GYRO NISIDES KAI PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • SERIFOS: PARAKTIA ZONI KAI NISIDES SERIFOPOULA, PIPERI KAI VOUS - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS GYAROS KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES ASPRONISOS, ARGKOS, MARAGKOS, REPI, TSOUGKRIA, TSOUGKRIAKI KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI NISON SKIATHOU KAI SKOPELOU - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES LICHADES KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI KAI YFALOI VOREIOANATOLIKIS EVVOIAS - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA ZONI ANATOLIKIS EVVOIAS APO AKRA OKTONIA EVVOIAS EOS ZARAKES - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI NOTIOU EVVOIKOU KOLPOU - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI PAFSANIA – YPOTHALASSIA IFAISTEIA METHANON - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • KORINTHIAKOS KOLPOS - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • PARAKTIA KAI THALASSIA ZONI MAKRONISOU - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • KANALI MAKRONISOU - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES SARONIKOU KOLPOU KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA ZONI ANDROU - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ETHNIKO THALASSIO PARKO ALONNISOU – VOREION SPORADON, ANATOLIKI SKOPELOS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS GYAROS KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to Alonissos Marine Park - Nearest Airports

  • Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH), Spata-Artemida - 36 km away, approx 55 min travel time
  • Santorini International Airport (JTR), Santorini Island - 238 km away, approx 274 min travel time
  • Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB), Gaziemir - 267 km away, approx 306 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical water conditions and visibility for diving in Alonissos Marine Park?
While specific visibility and current details are not provided in the data, divers can expect very pleasant water temperatures during the peak months in Alonissos Marine Park. For instance, August sees an average of 27.17°C, July 26.49°C, and September 25.25°C, making for comfortable diving conditions.
What kind of marine life can divers expect to see in Alonissos Marine Park, especially unique or rare species?
The Alonissos Marine Park is renowned as Greece's first marine park, primarily established for the protection of the rare Mediterranean monk seal. While other specific marine life details are not provided, divers may have the unique opportunity to encounter this protected species in its natural habitat.
What are considered the best dive sites in Alonissos Marine Park, including any notable wrecks or unique underwater features?
Among the 144 dive sites in Alonissos Marine Park, the Peristera Shipwreck is a highly notable wreck site, suitable for intermediate divers. Other significant wrecks include the HMS Triumph, Wreck of Dimitrios shipwreck, and SS Probitas Shipwreck. The park is also celebrated for its ancient amphora sites, offering unique historical underwater features to explore.
Is Alonissos Marine Park suitable for beginner divers, or is it primarily for experienced divers?
Based on the provided data, many of the named dive sites in Alonissos Marine Park, such as the Peristera Shipwreck and Ksyla bay, are classified as 'intermediate' difficulty. While specific beginner sites are not detailed, divers with intermediate experience will find a wide array of options among the 144 available sites.
What is the best time of year to go diving in Alonissos Marine Park regarding water temperature and overall conditions?
The optimal time for diving in Alonissos Marine Park, considering water temperature, is during the summer months. August offers the warmest waters at an average of 27.17°C, closely followed by July at 26.49°C and September at 25.25°C. These months generally provide excellent conditions for exploring the park's diverse underwater environment.
How do travelers typically get to Alonissos Marine Park for a diving trip?
The provided data does not include specific information on how travelers typically get to Alonissos Marine Park for a diving trip. For detailed travel logistics, it is recommended to consult general travel guides for Greece or contact one of the 65 dive centers in the area directly.
Are there any specific dive sites in Alonissos Marine Park that require advanced certifications, such as wreck or deep diving?
Based on the provided data, all explicitly named dive sites in Alonissos Marine Park, including popular wrecks like the Peristera Shipwreck and HMS Triumph, are classified as 'intermediate' difficulty. There is no specific mention of sites requiring advanced certifications such as wreck or deep diving within the given information.
What are the seasonal variations in diving conditions, such as water temperature and marine life activity, throughout the year in Alonissos Marine Park?
Regarding seasonal variations, the data highlights that the warmest water temperatures in Alonissos Marine Park occur from July through September, with averages ranging from 25.25°C to 27.17°C. Specific information on seasonal changes in marine life activity or other diving conditions beyond these peak temperatures is not provided in the context.