AGIA MATRONA

Best months: Jun–Oct

Protected Area

NISIDES SKYROU KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI

Why dive here

AGIA MATRONA is a wreck dive where divers can encounter dolphins and sea turtles. Water ranges 14-27°C, warmest July, August, September.

Marine lifeDolphins and Sea Turtles

Water14-27°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 40m

Agia Matrona, a carrier vessel that went down in '83, is one of our favourite deep dives in the Alonissos Marine Park. This isn't some ancient ruin; it's a proper shipwreck, sitting upright and mostly intact on a sandy bottom at 40 metres. We love dropping down the line and seeing that massive silhouette emerge from the blue. The sheer scale is what gets you first-83 metres of steel hull, still holding its shape. We'd suggest taking a moment to hover mid-water and just appreciate the whole scene before you get closer. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the superstructure, and the open cargo holds are home to groupers, often lurking in the shadows. Penetration is possible for experienced wreck divers, but honestly, there's so much to see on the exterior. Look for moray eels poking their heads from pipes and crevices. The bridge section is particularly interesting, with various instruments still hinting at its operational past. It’s a dive for those comfortable with depth and who appreciate the solemn beauty of a modern wreck. Visibility here can be excellent, often making that 40-metre mark feel more accessible.

Typical AGIA MATRONA Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Deep dive (40m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today05:4419:0613h 22m daylightGolden hour 18:30

AGIA MATRONA Wreck History

Year Sunk

1983

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

fire

The story of the Agia Matrona is one of sudden disaster in a pristine environment. This carrier vessel, built in Haifa, Israel in 1966, was on a routine passage from Ashdod to Piraeus in February 1983. The voyage turned catastrophic when a severe fire erupted in the engine room, crippling the ship and ultimately sending it to the seabed within the protected waters of the Alonissos Marine Park.

Lying at 40 meters, the Agia Matrona is a spectacular deep dive for advanced recreational or technical divers. Its location within Europe's largest marine protected area means the wreck is not just a historical artifact but also a thriving hub of biodiversity. Divers can expect to see an incredible abundance of marine life, including large schools of fish, groupers, and often passing pelagics, all set against the backdrop of a relatively modern and intact shipwreck. The combination of a dramatic history and a vibrant ecosystem makes this a premier wreck dive in the Aegean Sea.