ZAKYNTHOS - Crete
Zakynthos isn't your typical Mediterranean wreck dive. It’s got a real story, a 70-meter steamship that ran aground back in 1917. What we love about it is how accessible it is for divers who want a proper wreck experience without needing deep tech skills. Sitting upright in 22 meters, you can fin along the deck, peer into the holds, and really get a sense of its size. Even after all these years, the hull is surprisingly intact. You’ll spot the anchor chain still draped over the bow, and a good torch reveals a few internal structures. Visibility here is often great, letting you take in the whole ship as you approach. We’d suggest going in the morning to avoid any afternoon chop. Schools of damselfish shimmer above the deck, and we’ve often found scorpionfish tucked into crevices. It’s a proper wreck dive, full of history and just enough marine life to keep things interesting, perfect for advanced open water divers looking to explore a piece of the past.
- Location
- Crete, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 36.686110, 23.055555
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 22m
Marine Protected Area: ORI GIDOVOUNI, CHIONOVOUNI, GAIDOUROVOUNI, KORAKIA, KALOGEROVOUNI, KOULOCHERA KAI PERIOCHI MONEMVASIAS SPILAIO SOLOMOU TRYPA KAI PYRGOS AG. STEFANOU KAI THALASSIA ZONI EOS AKROTIRIO KAMILI
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 ZAKYNTHOS
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 ZAKYNTHOS
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