Diving in Crete

Explore 168 dive sites in Crete, Greece. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Crete

The warmest water temperatures in Crete occur in August, averaging 25.1°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 16.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 17.3°C
  • February: 16.4°C
  • March: 16.4°C
  • April: 17.0°C
  • May: 19.2°C
  • June: 22.3°C
  • July: 24.1°C
  • August: 25.1°C
  • September: 24.6°C
  • October: 22.9°C
  • November: 20.9°C
  • December: 18.9°C

Marine Life in Crete

Home to 11 recorded species including 5 reef fish, 1 other, 1 sea urchins, 1 worms, 1 seagrass & algae, 1 clams & mussels.

Recommended Packing List for Crete

Based on average water temperature of 20.4°C, currents 5 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

Marine Protected Areas in Crete

  • Agioi Pantes Lasithiou - Game breeding station (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • Thodorou Chanion - Game breeding station (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
  • ANTIKYTHIRA - PRASONISI KAI LAGOUVARDOS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES KYTHIRON: PRASONISI, DRAGONERA, ANTIDRAGONERA - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • KASOS KAI KASONISIA – EVRYTERI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ASTYPALAIA: ANATOLIKO TMIMA, GYRO NISIDES KAI OFIDOUSSA KAI THALASSIA ZONI (AKR. LANTRA - AKR. VRYSI) - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • VRACHONISIA NOTIOU AIGAIOU: VELOPOULA, FALKONERA, ANANES, CHRISTIANA, PACHEIA, FTENO, MAKRA, ASTAKIDONISIA, SYRNA - GYRO NISIA KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ANAFI: CHERSONISOS KALAMOS - ROUKOUNAS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • SANTORINI: NEA KAI PALIA KAMENI - PROFITIS ILIAS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • PARAKTIA ZONI DYTIKIS MILOY - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS POLYAIGOS - KIMOLOS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS ANTIMILOS - THALASSIA PARAKTIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NOTIA SERIFOS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • VOREIODYTIKI KYTHNOS: OROS ATHERAS - AKROTIRIO KEFALOS KAI PARAKTIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • VOREIA AMORGOS KAI KINAROS, LEVITHA, MAVRA, GLAROS KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • MIKRES KYKLADES: IRAKLEIA, SCHOINOUSSA, KOUFONISIA, KEROS, ANTIKERIA KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • KENTRIKI KAI NOTIA NAXOS: ZAS KAI VIGLA EOS MAVROVOUNI KAI THALASSIA ZONI (ORMOS KARADES - ORMOS MOUTSOUNAS) - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOI DESPOTIKO KAI STRONGYLO KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • VOREIOANATOLIKO AKRO KRITIS: DIONYSADES, ELASA KAI CHERSONISOS SIDERO (AKRA MAVRO MOURI – VAI – AKRA PLAKAS) KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS KOUFONISI KAI PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • PRASSANO FARANGI - PATSOS - SFAKORYAKO REMA - PARALIA RETHYMNOU KAI EKVOLI GEROPOTAMOU, AKR. LIANOS KAVOS - PERIVOLIA - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • IMERI KAI AGRIA GRAMVOUSSA - TIGANI KAI FALASARNA - PONTIKONISI, ORMOS LIVADI - VIGLIA - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS ELAFONISOS KAI PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • CHERSONISOS RODOPOU – PARALIA MALEME -KOLPOS CHANION - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ASFENDOU - KALLIKRATIS KAI PARAKTIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOI GAVDOS KAI GAVDOPOULA - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • PARALIA APO CHRYSOSKALITISSA MECHRI AKROTIRIO KRIOS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES MYRTOOU PELAGOUS: FALKONERA,VELOPOULA, ANANES KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOI KINAROS KAI LEVITHA KAI NISIDES LIADIA, PLAKA, GLAROS, MAVRA KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ANATOLIKO TMIMA ASTYPALEAS KAI NISIDES KOUNOUPI, FTENO, CHONDROPOULO, KOYTSOMYTIS, MONI, AGIA KYRIAKI, TIGANI, CHONDRI, LIGNO, FOKIONISIA, KATSAGRELI, PONTIKOYSSA, FIDOYSSA, KTENIA KAI THALASSIA PERIO - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS KASOS KAI SYMPLEGMA KASONISION KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • MIKRES KYKLADES, VOREIOANATOLIKI AMORGOS, ANATOLIKES AKTES DONOUSAS, GYRO NISIDES KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ANAFI, ANATOLIKO KAI VOREIO TMIMA KAI GYRO NISIDES KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES PAROU KAI NOTIA ANTIPAROS KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES MYKONOU: RINEIA, CHTAPODIA, KAI TRAGONISI KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • SERIFOS: PARAKTIA ZONI KAI NISIDES SERIFOPOULA, PIPERI KAI VOUS - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • EKVOLI GEROPOTAMOU MESARAS - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • DIONYSADES NISOI KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • CHERSONISOS GRAMVOUSAS KAI NISIDES IMERI KAI AGRIA GRAMVOUSA, PONTIKONISI KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NOTIODYTIKI GAVDOS KAI GAVDOPOULA KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • FOLEGANDROS ANATOLIKI MECHRI DYTIKI SIKINO KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI KYTHIRON - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • PARAKTIA KAI THALASSIA ZONI VOREIAS ANAFIS - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI KOLOUMVO - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI DYTIKIS KAI NOTIODYTIKIS KRITIS - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • FOLEGANDROS ANATOLIKI MECHRI DYTIKI SIKINO KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to Crete - Nearest Airports

  • Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER), Heraklion - 56 km away, approx 76 min travel time
  • Chania International Airport (CHQ), Souda - 66 km away, approx 87 min travel time
  • Santorini International Airport (JTR), Santorini Island - 93 km away, approx 116 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical water conditions and visibility for scuba diving in Crete?
While specific visibility data is not provided, divers in Crete can expect pleasant water temperatures during the peak season. For instance, in August, temperatures average around 25.05°C, making for comfortable diving conditions. For detailed information on local conditions, it's always best to consult one of the 46 local dive centres in Crete.
What kind of marine life can divers expect to see in Crete?
While specific marine life species are not detailed in the provided data, divers exploring Crete's waters can anticipate encountering the diverse ecosystem typical of the Mediterranean Sea. The reefs, such as Small Harbor and Kolimbari, offer habitats for various aquatic species. To learn more about potential sightings, explore our wildlife database.
What are considered the best dive sites in Crete for different experience levels?
Crete offers a wide array of dive sites, with 167 options available, all listed as intermediate difficulty. Notable sites include the fascinating The Arch for cave diving, and numerous wrecks like the fighter plane wrack world war II and HMS Calypso. Reef dives such as Papadoplaka and Kori reef also provide excellent exploration opportunities for intermediate divers. You can explore all 167 sites on the Crete sub-region page.
Is Crete suitable for beginner scuba divers, and what are the requirements?
While many of the 167 listed dive sites in Crete are categorized as intermediate, the presence of 46 dive centres suggests that opportunities for beginner divers are available. These centres can provide appropriate training and guided dives suitable for those new to scuba diving. For specific requirements and beginner-friendly options, it is best to contact a local Crete dive centre directly.
When is the best time of year to go scuba diving in Crete, considering seasonal variations?
The best time of year for scuba diving in Crete, considering water temperatures, is during the late summer months. August offers the warmest waters at approximately 25.05°C, followed closely by September at 24.65°C and July at 24.07°C. These months provide the most comfortable conditions for exploring the underwater world of Crete. For more seasonal insights, visit our when to dive guide.
How do I get to the main dive regions or sites in Crete?
Information regarding specific transportation methods or directions to the main dive regions and sites within Crete is not provided in the current data context. We recommend contacting one of the 46 dive centres in Crete directly, as they can offer the most up-to-date and practical advice on reaching their dive locations.
What are the water temperatures like for diving in Crete throughout the year?
While comprehensive year-round temperature data is not available, we know the warmest months for diving in Crete are July, August, and September. During these months, divers can expect average water temperatures of 24.07°C in July, 25.05°C in August, and 24.65°C in September. These temperatures indicate comfortable diving conditions during the peak season in Crete.
Are there any notable wreck or cave diving opportunities in Crete?
Yes, Crete offers excellent opportunities for both wreck and cave diving. The island is home to several notable wrecks, including the fighter plane wrack world war II, HMS Calypso, and the Wreck of INS Dakar, all categorized as intermediate dives. For cave enthusiasts, The Arch provides an intriguing intermediate cave diving experience. These sites contribute to Crete's reputation for diverse underwater exploration.