Dolphin Diving Center - Alonissos Marine Park
Dolphin Diving Center, despite the name, isn't about dolphins, but rather a really solid Alonissos site for getting to grips with the smaller stuff that makes the Mediterranean so compelling. We love how the reef here just spills down, a tumble of rocks and crevices that are just begging for a careful inspection. You’ll find yourself peering into every crack, shining a torch into the shadows, and that’s where the rewards lie. Our favourite find is always the Devonshire cup coral, a brilliant splash of orange against the rock, and if you’re patient, Risso’s Crabs scuttling away. Look out for the ethereal glow of Light-bulb sea squirts, and those bushy corals forming miniature forests. We’d suggest a slow pace, really taking your time to scan the surfaces for things like the intricate patterns of a Coralline Bryozoan or the subtle movements of a Leidy's Comb Jelly. It's a fantastic site for photographers who appreciate macro subjects and divers who enjoy a detailed exploration rather than grand vistas. Come in the morning for the best light penetration into the nooks.
- Location
- Alonissos Marine Park, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 39.991585, 23.992110
Marine Protected Area: PLATANITSI - SYKIA: ΑKR. RIGAS - AKR. ADOLO
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
- AES GIORGIS - 5m (wreck)
- Aghios Petros
- AGIA MATRONA - 40m (wreck)
- AGIOS IOANNIS - 3m (wreck)
- AGIOS NICOLAOS - 25m (wreck)
- Agios Romanos
- ALEXANDROS Z - 54m (wreck)
- ALEX G - 9m (wreck)
- Alonissos National Marine Park
- AMALIA - 6m (wreck)
- ANDREAS - 25m (wreck)
- ANDROS - 36m (wreck)
- Andros Wreck (wreck)
- Apollonia II wreck (wreck)
- APOLLONIA VI - 20m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to Dolphin Diving Center
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
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Leidy's Comb Jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi)
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
- Silver-cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) - Reef Fish
- Devonshire cup coral (Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) smithii) - Hard Corals
- Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals
- Bottleneck Sea Cucumber (Holothuria (Thymiosycia) impatiens) - Sea Cucumbers
- Sand mason (Lanice conchilega) - Worms
- Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Recommended Packing List for Dolphin Diving Center
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