HAJ ABDULLAH - Alonissos Marine Park

Haj Abdullah, resting in just seven metres of water, is a wreck we always recommend for a relaxed afternoon dive in Alonissos. It’s a carrier vessel, almost 70 metres long, sunk deliberately in 2001. You’ll find her upright and largely intact, which always makes for a satisfying exploration. We particularly love swimming through the large cargo holds, where sunlight filters down, creating these shifting patterns on the sandy bottom. The wreck has become a proper artificial reef. You’ll spot schools of juvenile barracuda circling the superstructure, and often a big grouper or two lurking in the shadowed recesses of the bridge. Moray eels peer out from pipes and crevices. Because it’s so shallow, you get fantastic light penetration, making colours pop, especially on a sunny day. Our advice? Go in the afternoon. The light is softer then, and the visibility tends to settle after any morning boat traffic. It’s a perfect site for photographers looking for an atmospheric shot without the challenge of deep diving, and an easygoing introduction to wreck diving for anyone.

Location: Alonissos Marine Park, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 39.015633, 26.152834
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 7m

Marine Protected Area: LESVOS PARAKTIOI YGROTOPOI KAI KOLPOS KALLONIS

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

Nearest Dive Centres to HAJ ABDULLAH

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 HAJ ABDULLAH

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