AGIA MATRONA - Alonissos Marine Park

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.

Location
Alonissos Marine Park, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
38.815666, 24.566166
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Wreck History - AGIA MATRONA

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.

Marine Protected Area: NISIDES SKYROU KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI

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

Nearest Dive Centres to AGIA MATRONA

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

Recommended Packing List for AGIA MATRONA

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