HMS Hereward - Dodecanese

Round Reef in Nova Scotia – now this is a place we genuinely love. Forget the Caribbean, sometimes the real magic is in the colder waters. Dropping in here, you’re often enveloped in a cool embrace, the kind that wakes you up and makes you pay attention. It's not about big pelagics or dizzying colours; it’s about a different kind of life, one that thrives in the temperate zone. We’ve found the dulse here to be particularly lush, swaying in the gentle surge, and it creates these fantastic backdrops for photography. Keep your eyes peeled for the Atlantic Rock Crab scuttling amongst the rocks; they’re surprisingly camouflaged. Our favourite moments here are often just hovering, watching the smaller fish – maybe a butterfish or a split – dart in and out of the crevices. We'd suggest going on a sunny day if you can, as the light filtering through the water column really brings out the subtle greens and browns of the kelp and corals. It's a calmer dive, one where you slow down and appreciate the details. Round Reef is perfect for divers who enjoy macro life, those patient explorers who find beauty in the intricate ecosystems of a northern reef rather than chasing big thrills.

Location: Dodecanese, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 35.333332, 26.333334
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: VOREIOANATOLIKO AKRO KRITIS: DIONYSADES, ELASA KAI CHERSONISOS SIDERO (AKRA MAVRO MOURI – VAI – AKRA PLAKAS) KAI THALASSIA ZONI

Best Time to Dive in Dodecanese

The warmest water temperatures in Dodecanese occur in August, averaging 28.7°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 17.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 18.6°C
February: 17.4°C
March: 17.0°C
April: 17.8°C
May: 20.3°C
June: 23.2°C
July: 26.5°C
August: 28.7°C
September: 27.7°C
October: 25.5°C
November: 23.5°C
December: 21.1°C

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS Hereward

Marine Life in Dodecanese

Home to 26 recorded species including 8 reef fish, 4 whales & dolphins, 3 other, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 hard corals.

Notable Species

loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Red lionfish (Pterois miles) - Reef Fish
Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
Silver-cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) - Reef Fish
Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) - Sea Urchins
Redcoat (Sargocentron rubrum) - Reef Fish
Studded Pufferfish (Torquigener flavimaculosus) - Reef Fish
Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) - Crabs & Lobsters
Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
Goldband Goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) - Reef Fish
Slender Seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) - Seagrass & Algae
Common brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis)
Three-tooth Cavoline (Cavolinia tridentata) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Black coral (Antipathes dichotoma) - Hard Corals
Black coral (Leiopathes glaberrima) - Hard Corals
Abalone (Haliotis tuberculata) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs

Recommended Packing List for HMS Hereward

Based on average water temperature of 22.3°C, currents 8 cm/s.

Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 22°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