ANTHOULA

Best months: Jun–Sep

Protected Area

Delta Axiou (Chalastras)

Why dive here

ANTHOULA is a wreck dive where divers can encounter dolphins. Water ranges 14-27°C, warmest July, August, September.

Marine lifeDolphins

Water14-27°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 11m

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.

Typical ANTHOULA Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today05:4819:1513h 27m daylightGolden hour 18:38

ANTHOULA Wreck History

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.