Diving in Halkidiki

Explore 45 dive sites in Halkidiki, Greece. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Halkidiki

The warmest water temperatures in Halkidiki occur in August, averaging 26.6°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 14.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 14.7°C
  • February: 14.5°C
  • March: 14.0°C
  • April: 14.6°C
  • May: 18.4°C
  • June: 23.4°C
  • July: 26.3°C
  • August: 26.6°C
  • September: 24.4°C
  • October: 21.2°C
  • November: 18.6°C
  • December: 16.3°C

Marine Life in Halkidiki

Home to 22 recorded species including 5 reef fish, 5 hard corals, 4 other, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 soft corals, 2 whales & dolphins.

Recommended Packing List for Halkidiki

Based on average water temperature of 19.4°C, currents 6 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 19°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

Marine Protected Areas in Halkidiki

  • To nisi Piperi stis Voreies Sporades - Natural Monuments and landmarks (protected as strict nature reserve) (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Ethniko Thalassio Parko Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - National Marine Park (IUCN Category VI)
  • Ethniko ygrotopiko parko delta Evrou - National Park (IUCN Category VI)
  • Evros delta - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Lake Vistonis, Porto Lagos, Lake Ismaris & adjoining lagoons - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Axios, Loudias, Aliakmon delta - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Zones A2, A3, A4, A5 kai A7 periochis A Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Voreion Sporadon - Nature reserve zone in National Marine Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Tsairi Dimou Epanomis - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Leichoura Dimou Pteleou - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Kompsatou Dimou Iasmou - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Limni Vistonida - Lagous Dimou Avdiron - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Delta Evrou Dimon Tra¿anoupolis Ferron - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Megalonisi-Nisioti (Sigriou) - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Agios Sozon-Limnionas (Kaminion-Fysinis) - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Delta Aliakmona (Kleidiou) - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Delta Axiou (Chalastras) - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Fanari-Porto Lagos - Wildlife Refugee (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ethniko ygrotopiko parko delta Evrou - Periochi prostasias tis fysis - zoni A - Nature reserve zone in National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Ethniko ygrotopiko parko delta Evrou - Periochi prostasias tis fysis - zoni B - Nature reserve zone in National Park (IUCN Category VI)
  • Ethniko ygrotopiko parko delta Evrou - Zoni TH - Others (IUCN Category VI)
  • Ethniko Parko Anatolikis Makedonias kai Thrakis - Periochi prostasias tis fysis - Nature reserve zone in National Park (IUCN Category VI)
  • Ethniko Parko Anatolikis Makedonias kai Thrakis - National Park (IUCN Category V)
  • Zones A1 kai A6 periochis A Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Nature reserve zone in National Marine Park (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Zoni Eidikon Rythmiseon B1 Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Others (IUCN Category IV)
  • Zoni Oikistikon Rythmiseon B2 kai B3 kai Zoni B4 Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Others (IUCN Category VI)
  • Zoni A8: Periochi Eidikon Rythmiseon Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Others (IUCN Category II)
  • Zoni A9: Periochi Eidikon Rythmiseon Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon - Others (IUCN Category VI)
  • Ethniko Parko Axiou - Perioches Apolytis Prostasias tis Fysis AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4 - Absolute nature reserve zone in National Park (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ethniko Parko Axiou - Perioches Prostasias tis Fysis PD1, PD2, PD3, PD4 - Nature reserve zone in National Park (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ethniko Parko Axiou - Periochi Prostasias tis Fysis PA - Nature reserve zone in National Park (IUCN Category VI)
  • Ethniko Parko Gallikou, Axiou, Loudia, Aliakmona, Alykis Kitrous, Limnothalassas Kalochoriou - National Park (IUCN Category VI)
  • FENGARI SAMOTHRAKIS, ANATOLIKES AKTES, VRACHONISSIDA ZOURAFA KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • DELTA EVROU KAI DYTIKOS VRACHIONAS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNES KAI LIMNOTHALASSES TIS THRAKIS - EVRYTERI PERIOCHI KAI PARAKTIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ORMOS POTAMIAS - AKR. PYRGOS EOS N. GRAMVOUSSA - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • KOLPOS PALAIOU - ORMOS ELEFTHERON - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • DELTA NESTOU KAI LIMNOTHALASSES KERAMOTIS - EVRYTERI PERIOCHI KAI PARAKTIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • DELTA AXIOU - LOUDIA - ALIAKMONA – EVRYTERI PERIOCHI - AXIOUPOLI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNOTHALASSA EPANOMIS KAI THALASSIA PARAKTIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ALYKI KITROUS - EVRYTERI PERIOCHI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • AKROTIRIO ELIA - AKROTIRIO KASTRO - EKVOLI RAGOULA - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • PALIOURI – AKROTIRI KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • PLATANITSI - SYKIA: ΑKR. RIGAS - AKR. ADOLO - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • AKROTIRIO PYRGOS - ORMOS KYPSAS - MALAMO - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • SKIATHOS: KOUKOUNARIES KAI EVRYTERI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ETHNIKO THALASSIO PARKO ALONNISOU – VOREION SPORADON, ANATOLIKI SKOPELOS - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • MEGALO KAI MIKRO LIVARI - DELTA XERIA - YDROCHARES DASOS AG. NIKOLAOU - PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNOS: CHORTAROLIMNI - LIMNI ALYKI KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • AGIOS EFSTRATIOS KAI PARAKTIA THALASSIA ZONI - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • DELTA EVROU - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • SAMOTHRAKI: OROS FENGARI KAI PARAKTIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNES VISTONIS, ISMARIS - LIMNOTHALASSES PORTO LAGOS, ALYKI PTELEA, XIROLIMNI, KARATZA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • DELTA NESTOU KAI LIMNOTHALASSES KERAMOTIS KAI NISOS THASOPOULA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THASOS (OROS YPSARIO KAI PARAKTIA ZONI) KAI NISIDES KOINYRA, XIRONISI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • DELTA AXIOU - LOUDIA - ALIAKMONA - ALYKI KITROUS - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNOTHALASSA EPANOMIS - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • YGROTOPOI NEAS FOKAIAS - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIA KYRA PANAGIA, PIPERI, PSATHOURA KAI GYRO NISIDES AGIOS GEORGIOS, NISOI ADELFOI, LECHOUSA, GAIDOURONISIA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • MEGALO KAI MIKRO LIVARI - DELTA XERIA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES SKYROU KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNOS, LIMNES CHORTAROLIMNI KAI ALYKI, KOLPOS MOUDROU ELOS DIAPORI KAI CHERSONISOS FAKOS, NISOS SERGITSI KAI NISIDES DIAVATES KOMPIOKASTRIA, TIGANI, KARKALAS, PRASONISI KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISOS AGIOS EFSTRATIOS KAI THALASSIA ZONI - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNOTHALASSA ANGELOCHORIOU - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • EKVOLES POTAMOU STRYMONA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNOTHALASSA AGIOU MAMA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI THRAKIS - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI KAVALAS - THASOU - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA ZONI CHERSONISOU ATHONA - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA ZONI ANATOLIKA KAI NOTIA CHERSONISOU ATHONA - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • NISIDES ASPRONISOS, ARGKOS, MARAGKOS, REPI, TSOUGKRIA, TSOUGKRIAKI KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI NISON SKIATHOU KAI SKOPELOU - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI KAI YFALOI VOREIOANATOLIKIS EVVOIAS - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI DYTIKIS LESVOU - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • THALASSIA PERIOCHI KAVALAS - THASOU - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • ETHNIKO THALASSIO PARKO ALONNISOU – VOREION SPORADON, ANATOLIKI SKOPELOS - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNOTHALASSA ANGELOCHORIOU - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • EKVOLES POTAMOU STRYMONA - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • LIMNOTHALASSA AGIOU MAMA - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to Halkidiki - Nearest Airports

  • Kavala Alexander the Great International Airport (KVA), Kavala - 81 km away, approx 103 min travel time
  • Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport (SKG), Thessaloniki - 113 km away, approx 139 min travel time
  • Plovdiv International Airport (PDV), Plovdiv - 209 km away, approx 243 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical water conditions like for diving in Halkidiki, including visibility and temperature?
For diving in Halkidiki, you can expect pleasant water temperatures, especially during the peak months. In August, temperatures average 26.59°C, while July sees 26.32°C and September offers 24.37°C. Specific details regarding visibility are not provided in the current data, but these warm temperatures make for comfortable diving conditions.
What kind of marine life can divers expect to see in Halkidiki?
While the provided data highlights the extensive reef diving opportunities in Halkidiki, specific details about the marine life species are not available. Divers can generally anticipate encountering various reef inhabitants typical of the Mediterranean Sea. For more general information on marine species, you can explore our marine life database.
Which are considered the best dive sites in Halkidiki for different experience levels?
All 45 dive sites listed for Halkidiki, including popular spots like Armenistis bay (reef) and AGIOS NIKOLAOS (wreck), are classified as intermediate. This suggests a consistent level of experience is recommended across the region's diverse offerings. Divers can explore a mix of reef and wreck sites, all suitable for intermediate skill levels.
Is Halkidiki suitable for beginner divers, or is it more for experienced divers?
Based on the available data, all listed dive sites in Halkidiki are categorized as 'intermediate.' This suggests that the primary diving opportunities highlighted are best suited for divers with some prior experience. While there are 25 dive centers in the area, specific beginner-level sites are not detailed in the current information.
What is the best time of year to go diving in Halkidiki, considering seasonal variations?
The best time of year to go diving in Halkidiki, considering water temperature, is during the summer months. August offers the warmest average water temperature at 26.59°C, closely followed by July at 26.32°C. September also provides excellent conditions with an average of 24.37°C, making these months ideal for comfortable diving. For more seasonal insights, visit our when to dive guide.
How do I get to the main diving areas or dive centers in Halkidiki?
Information regarding transportation to the main diving areas or specific dive centers in Halkidiki is not provided in the current data. We recommend contacting one of the 25 dive centers directly for detailed logistical advice and directions. They will be able to assist you with getting to their locations and the dive sites.
Are there any unique or special dive sites in Halkidiki, such as wrecks, caves, or thermal springs?
Halkidiki is particularly renowned for its unique dive sites, especially its numerous WWII wrecks. You can explore fascinating historical sites like AGIOS NIKOLAOS, HMS HYTHE, and NORSEMAN, among many others. Beyond wrecks, the region also offers extensive reef diving and the dramatic underwater landscape along Mount Athos's coastline.
What are the general current and sea conditions like for scuba diving in Halkidiki?
Specific details regarding the general current and sea conditions for scuba diving in Halkidiki are not available in the provided data. As conditions can vary, it is always best to consult with local dive centers before planning your dives. They can offer the most up-to-date information on local currents and sea states.