Avantis III - Alonissos Marine Park

The Avantis III is one of those Mediterranean wrecks that just *feels* historic, even without knowing its backstory. We love it because it’s not just a pile of metal; it’s a fully formed ecosystem now, a proper reef in its own right. As you descend, the shape of the cargo ship emerges from the blue, usually around 20-25 metres, sloping down to a maximum depth of maybe 35 metres at the bow. The stern is our favourite part, with the propeller and rudder still largely intact, hosting a surprising number of scorpionfish and moray eels tucked into the crevices. We’ve had some incredible moments here, with schools of barracuda circling the mast structure, sometimes so thick they almost blot out the sun. The ambient light filtering through the water around the wreck’s superstructure is quite something, especially on a sunny afternoon. Inside the hull, if you’re comfortable with some wreck penetration, you’ll find plenty of open spaces, light streaming in through collapsed sections, and walls covered in colourful sponges and sea fans. It’s not a challenging wreck in terms of current, usually, but we’d suggest timing your dive for mid-morning when the light is best and boat traffic from the nearby island is still light. This site is a definite standout for anyone who appreciates a good wreck dive combined with thriving marine life.

Location
Alonissos Marine Park, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.679016, 23.311518
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Avantis III

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

Resting in the protected waters of the Alonissos Marine Park, the Avantis III is a popular dive site whose specific history remains shrouded in mystery. As one of the many wrecks accessible within this historic Greek archipelago, it forms part of an incredible underwater museum. The marine park is famous for its pioneering work in opening ancient wrecks to divers, and sites like the Avantis III benefit from the same pristine conditions and protected status.

Diving the Avantis III offers a quintessential Mediterranean wreck experience. The vessel lies in famously clear blue water, allowing for fantastic visibility on most days. Over the years, it has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, attracting large schools of fish, moray eels, and octopuses who have made the ship's metal structure their home. It's a dive that combines the thrill of wreck exploration with the vibrant biodiversity of a protected marine sanctuary.

Marine Protected Area: THALASSIA PERIOCHI PAFSANIA – YPOTHALASSIA IFAISTEIA METHANON

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 Avantis III

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 Avantis III

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