AES GIORGIS - Alonissos Marine Park
AES GIORGIS is a personal favourite of ours in the Alonissos Marine Park, though calling it a "wreck" might be a bit generous. It’s more a scattering of ancient amphorae, pottery shards, and the ghostly outline of what was once a ship, lying in barely 5m of water. We love it because it feels like diving through a museum exhibit, but one that’s been reclaimed by the sea. You'll spend your time here finning gently over centuries-old clay jars, some still intact, others broken open to reveal their dark interiors. Look closely and you’ll spot small octopus tucked into the crevices of the pottery, their eyes watching you. Moray eels often peek out from under the larger fragments. The light plays beautifully on the sandy bottom, making the amphorae glow, and schools of damselfish flit around them like guardians. It’s a site that rewards slow, deliberate exploration, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak in a tangible piece of history without the pressure of depth or strong currents. Early morning, before the day boats arrive, is our pick for the best visibility and a real sense of solitude.
- Location
- Alonissos Marine Park, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 37.708450, 24.059110
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
Wreck History - AES GIORGIS
- Vessel Type
- unknown
- Cause
- unknown
Resting in the protected waters of the Alonissos Marine Park, the wreck known as the 'Aes Giorgis' offers a fascinating shallow-water exploration. At just 5 meters deep, this site is accessible to divers of all levels, including snorkelers. The vessel's history is shrouded in mystery, with little known about its identity or how it met its end. Its classification as a 'dangerous wreck' suggests it is heavily broken up, with sharp metal and potential entanglement hazards, so careful buoyancy and awareness are key. Divers can explore the scattered remains, which have become an artificial reef teeming with the vibrant marine life for which the park is famous, making it a superb photographic opportunity.
Marine Protected Area: KANALI MAKRONISOU
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
Nearby Dive Sites in Alonissos Marine Park
- Aghios Petros
- AGIA MATRONA - 40m (wreck)
- AGIOS IOANNIS - 3m (wreck)
- AGIOS NICOLAOS - 25m (wreck)
- Agios Romanos
- ALEXANDROS Z - 54m (wreck)
- ALEX G - 9m (wreck)
- Alonissos National Marine Park
- AMALIA - 6m (wreck)
- ANDREAS - 25m (wreck)
- ANDROS - 36m (wreck)
- Andros Wreck (wreck)
- Apollonia II wreck (wreck)
- APOLLONIA VI - 20m (wreck)
- Aqualized Dive Adventures
Nearest Dive Centres to AES GIORGIS
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.
Notable Species
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Leidy's Comb Jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi)
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
- Silver-cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) - Reef Fish
- Devonshire cup coral (Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) smithii) - Hard Corals
- Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals
- Bottleneck Sea Cucumber (Holothuria (Thymiosycia) impatiens) - Sea Cucumbers
- Sand mason (Lanice conchilega) - Worms
- Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Recommended Packing List for AES GIORGIS
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