PETALON (PROBABLY) - Crete
So, Petalon (Probably). The "probably" bit tells you a lot about diving in Crete, doesn't it? We actually love that ambiguity, it adds to the charm. This isn't some perfectly preserved museum piece, it's a bit of history reclaimed by the sea. The motor vessel went down in '76, but even at just 5 metres, it feels much deeper when you’re finning over the mangled metal. What you'll find here is less about grand structure and more about the delicate ecosystems that have taken root. It’s a photographer's dream for macro, with nudibranchs tucked into every crevice and small blennies darting between the decaying plates. We’ve spent hours just watching the schools of juvenile damselfish flit in and out of the rusted hull. Our favourite spot is the propeller, it’s often buzzing with movement. For new wreck divers, it’s a gentle introduction; no penetration, just easy exploration in clear, shallow water. It’s a stark reminder of the sea's power, and a fascinating look at how quickly life moves in to claim what's left behind.
- Location
- Crete, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 35.606365, 23.581917
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
Marine Protected Area: CHERSONISOS GRAMVOUSAS KAI NISIDES IMERI KAI AGRIA GRAMVOUSA, PONTIKONISI KAI THALASSIA ZONI
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 PETALON (PROBABLY)
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 PETALON (PROBABLY)
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