ANTHOULA - Halkidiki

Anthoula, in Halkidiki, is one of our favourite Greek wrecks for its sheer accessibility and surprising character. This isn't a deep dive, sitting at just 11 metres, making it perfect for newer wreck divers or those wanting a relaxed hour underwater. The motor vessel, built in '57, went down after a collision in '76 as she was coming into port. You can still make out the superstructure and parts of the hull, stretched out across the sandy bottom. We love finning along the deck, picking out the large openings that lead into the cargo holds. Sunlight streams in, illuminating schools of small fish darting between the metal beams. It’s not uncommon to spot an octopus tucked into a crevice or a moray eel peeking from a dark corner. The stern offers some great photo opportunities with the prop shaft still largely intact. Our pick for the best time to visit is late morning when the sun is high, really bringing out the detail on the wreck and the flashes of colour from the resident fish. The low depth means you get decent bottom time, and it’s a site that rewards a slow, observant swim.

Location
Halkidiki, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
40.632610, 22.929333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Wreck History - ANTHOULA

Year Sunk
1976
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision
Tonnage
498 GRT

The MV Anthoula was a 67-meter cargo ship built in 1957 by the renowned German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen. For nearly two decades, she served as a workhorse of the seas, transporting goods under the ownership of the Anthoula Shipping Co., Ltd.

Her final voyage came to an abrupt end on December 21, 1976. As the Anthoula was maneuvering to dock in Halkidiki, she was struck by another motor vessel, the 'Armonikos'. The collision inflicted critical damage. Despite efforts to tow her to safety, the vessel took on too much water and sank, coming to rest on the sandy seabed.

Today, the Anthoula is a fantastic wreck dive, particularly for novice wreck divers. Lying upright at a very accessible maximum depth of 11 meters, the shallow water allows for long, relaxed dives with excellent light penetration. Divers can easily explore the ship's bridge, holds, and superstructure, which have become a thriving artificial reef, attracting schools of fish and other Mediterranean marine life.

Marine Protected Area: Delta Axiou (Chalastras)

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Halkidiki

Nearest Dive Centres to ANTHOULA

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANTHOULA

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