Palia Kameni Wreck - Crete
Palia Kameni isn't your typical Cretan dive, which is precisely why we love it. Forget ancient amphorae, this is a relatively new wreck, a tugboat scuttled intentionally in 1975 to create an artificial reef. It sits upright, mostly intact, an inviting skeletal structure just waiting to be explored. You’ll find it at a comfortable depth, making it a great spot for advanced open water divers looking for their first true wreck penetration, or even experienced divers wanting a relaxed explore. We’d suggest heading straight for the wheelhouse; it’s still impressively whole, and we’ve spent ages just watching the light filter through the old windows. Inside, schools of damselfish flit about, and moray eels often peer out from nooks in the engine room. Outside, around the bow and stern, you’ll spot octopus camouflaged against the rust-red plating, and nudibranchs grazing on the encrusting sponges. Visibility here is usually excellent, giving the whole site a wonderfully clear, almost ethereal feel, especially when the sun is high. It’s a quiet spot, often just us and the fish, a real escape from the busier reefs.
- Location
- Crete, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 36.395985, 25.375982
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: SANTORINI: NEA KAI PALIA KAMENI - PROFITIS ILIAS
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 Palia Kameni Wreck
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 Palia Kameni Wreck
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