5B-CCF - Crete

The 5B-CCF wreck in Crete isn't about big fish or colourful corals; it's about the sheer presence of a downed aircraft, lying surprisingly intact at 18 metres. We love how the light plays on the metal fuselage, giving it a ghostly, almost ethereal feel as you approach. It’s a Hawker Sea Hawk, an old British naval jet, and you can still make out the cockpit and the wings stretching out on the sandy bottom. Swimming around the plane, we often find schools of damselfish flitting in and out of the crevices, and the occasional moray eel peeking from beneath a wing. It feels like swimming through a moment frozen in time, the metallic structure now a canvas for the slow creep of marine growth. Our favourite detail has to be the way the engine intake is now home to dozens of tiny blennies. Visibility here is usually good, 20 metres or more on a calm day, which makes for excellent photography. We’d suggest heading out in the morning, before any wind picks up, for the best conditions. This wreck suits divers who appreciate history and the quiet beauty of something man-made being reclaimed by the sea.

Location
Crete, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
35.000000, 25.750000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Wreck History - 5B-CCF

Year Sunk
1976
Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
unknown

On June 15, 1976, a Cessna 185 aircraft with the tail number 5B-CCF crashed into the sea off the coast of Ierapetra, Crete. Today, its wreckage offers a unique and accessible dive, a departure from the more common shipwrecks. Resting at a maximum depth of 18 meters, the site is well within the limits of open water divers, providing a thrilling opportunity to explore a submerged airplane.

Unlike a ship, a plane wreck presents a different silhouette and set of exploration points. Divers can investigate the fuselage, the remnants of the wings, and the cockpit area where the pilot once sat. The relatively small size of the Cessna allows divers to take in the entire wreck in a single dive. Over the decades, the aluminum frame has become a foundation for marine life, with colorful sponges and algae colonizing its surfaces and fish seeking refuge within its hollow structure, creating a fascinating juxtaposition of technology and nature.

Marine Protected Area: Agioi Pantes Lasithiou

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Crete

Nearest Dive Centres to 5B-CCF

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for 5B-CCF

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