ARGO CARRIER
Protected Area
NISIDES SARONIKOU KOLPOU KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI
Why dive here
ARGO CARRIER is a wreck dive where divers can encounter dolphins and sea turtles. Water ranges 15-26°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Argo Carrier is our top pick in Alonissos Marine Park, hands down. We love a good wreck, and this 141-meter beast, scuttled back in '91, delivers. Lying perfectly upright at 30 meters, she’s a proper ship, not just a pile of rubble. Drop down the line and you immediately get a sense of her scale; the bow looms large, then the entire ship stretches out into the blue. Visibility here is usually excellent, letting you take in the whole scene from above the deck. We always make a point of swimming through the bridge superstructure – the wheelhouse is still there, just waiting to be explored, and you can imagine the captain navigating these very waters. Fusiliers school in their hundreds around the mast, and we’ve spotted moray eels peeking from every nook and cranny. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs on the deck plating, too; the colours are incredible against the rusty steel. This site is best for experienced divers comfortable with depth and overhead environments, as there's plenty to penetrate if you're qualified and the conditions are right. For anyone who appreciates a substantial, intact wreck, the Argo Carrier is a real treat.
Typical ARGO CARRIER Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 30m - Advanced Open Water 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.
ARGO CARRIER Wreck History
Year Sunk
1991
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
8,924 GRT
Built in 1969 by the renowned Austin & Pickersgill shipyard, this vessel lived a varied life under many flags and names, including 'Nicolaos D.L.', 'Kaptamichalis', and 'Lucky Carrier', before being christened 'Argo Carrier' in 1990. This history of changing ownership is typical for a workhorse cargo ship of its era, traversing the globe and carrying countless tons of cargo from port to port. Its final journey began in Piraeus, Greece, loaded with a cargo of iron bars destined for Algeria.
On April 18, 1991, the 'Argo Carrier' was caught in a severe storm while navigating the strait between Alonissos and Peristera. Battered by fierce winds and high seas, the ship ran aground on the submerged reef of Koutoulos, close to the islet of Peristera. The impact tore a hole in its hull, and the vessel quickly took on water. It sank within minutes, settling on the seabed where it remains to this day, its cargo still in its holds.
Resting in the protected waters of the Alonissos Marine Park, the 'Argo Carrier' is a spectacular and accessible wreck dive. The ship lies on its port side at a maximum depth of 30 meters, with its highest point reaching up to 18 meters. Its large size and excellent preservation make for a stunning exploration. The clear Aegean waters provide fantastic visibility, revealing a wreck that is now completely colonized by marine life, including groupers, moray eels, and vast schools of smaller fish that have made this fallen giant their home.
Nearest Dive Centres to ARGO CARRIER
Dive shops near ARGO CARRIER
Seals
Balco sub
Seals
Halkeas
Fantasea
WATER ACTIONS & TECHNICAL RESCUE
Reviews for ARGO CARRIER
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ARGO CARRIER
ARGO CARRIER Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ARGO CARRIER, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (38.09, 24.15) (15km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
23°C
73°F · Range: 21–25.6°C
Current Speed
1.41 cm/s
Direction: SW (225°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.13 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
34.63 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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