EXPRESS SAMINA - Crete
The Express Samina wreck off Paros is a haunting dive, a big one at 115m long, sitting at 35m. You really feel the history here. It went down in 2000 due to crew incompetence, a tragic story, and you sense that gravity as you descend. It’s a roll on-roll off ferry, so you can poke around the car decks, though we’d suggest careful penetration for experienced wreck divers only. The wreck itself is massive and broken, parts of it look like they just crumpled. Currents can be a factor, so pick your day carefully, ideally with a local guide who knows the site well. We love seeing the schooling jacks and groupers that have made it home; they weave through the collapsed metalwork. Our favourite part is the bow section, it’s really dramatic, offering some excellent photo opportunities against the blue. It's a dive that rewards multiple visits, giving you a chance to explore a bit more of its sad story each time.
- Location
- Crete, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 37.079067, 25.113867
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 35m
Marine Protected Area: NISIDES PAROU KAI NOTIA ANTIPAROS KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI
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
- 5B-CCF - 18m (wreck)
- ABED AL SALEM - 5m (wreck)
- ADAMAS - 2m (wreck)
- ADRIAS - 25m (wreck)
- Aegean Divers
- Afalatosi
- Agios Pavlos Cliff and Caves (cave)
- Agios Pavlos Gold Mine
- Agios Pavlos Wall (wall)
- Akrotiri reef (reef)
- Alonaki
- Ammoudi Reef (reef)
- Ammoudi Reef Wreck (wreck)
- Ammoudi Wall (wall)
- Arado 196 A (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to EXPRESS SAMINA
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
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
- Red lionfish (Pterois miles) - Reef Fish
- Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) - Sea Urchins
- Silver-cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) - Reef Fish
- Studded Pufferfish (Torquigener flavimaculosus) - Reef Fish
- Bearded Fireworm (Hermodice carunculata) - Worms
- Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
- Elliptical File-Shell (Limatula subauriculata) - Clams & Mussels
- Redcoat (Sargocentron rubrum) - Reef Fish
- gribble (Limnoria lignorum) - Crabs & Lobsters
Recommended Packing List for EXPRESS SAMINA
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