ATLANTIS - Alonissos Marine Park

Atlantis isn’t some deep, mysterious wreck, but we love it for its accessibility and what it’s become. This old merchant vessel, burned and scuttled near Piraeus in 1983, was later towed and sunk here. It sits upright, bow facing east, in a mere six metres of water. We especially appreciate that you can fin the entire length of the 96-metre hull and still have plenty of bottom time to spare. The main deck is largely intact, with various winches and machinery still visible, now completely encrusted in colourful sponges and small anemones. Look closely and you’ll spot nudibranchs grazing on the growth, and schools of damselfish flitting through the open hatches. Inside the superstructure, we’ve found octopuses tucked into shadowy corners. This is a brilliant spot for newer divers looking to explore a proper wreck without the depth anxiety, and our pick for underwater photographers wanting soft light and easy composition. Go on a sunny morning for the best visibility.

Location
Alonissos Marine Park, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.960500, 23.574333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Wreck History - ATLANTIS

Year Sunk
1983
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
fire
Tonnage
14,117 GRT

The Atlantis was a passenger vessel with a history that ended not in a storm at sea, but in port. Originally built in 1965, the ship was owned by the Kavounides Shipping Company. In March 1983, while moored and undergoing repairs in Piraeus, a fire broke out onboard, causing catastrophic damage and leading to the vessel's demise.

Now located within the protected Alonissos Marine Park, the wreck of the Atlantis has been given a second life. Lying in just 6 metres of crystal-clear water, it is less a dive site and more an underwater playground. It's perfectly suited for novice divers, freedivers, and even snorkelers. The shallow depth allows sunlight to illuminate the entire structure, revealing how quickly nature has begun to claim the man-made object, with fish and invertebrates now calling its decaying hull home.

Marine Protected Area: NISIDES SARONIKOU KOLPOU 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 ATLANTIS

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 ATLANTIS

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