CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY)
Protected Area
LIMNOS, LIMNES CHORTAROLIMNI KAI ALYKI, KOLPOS MOUDROU ELOS DIAPORI KAI CHERSONISOS FAKOS, NISOS SERGITSI KAI NISIDES DIAVATES KOMPIOKASTRIA, TIGANI, KARKALAS, PRASONISI KAI THALASSIA PERIOCHI
Why dive here
CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY) is a wreck dive where divers can encounter dolphins. Water ranges 14-27°C, warmest July, August, September.
We’re big fans of the Captain Nikos (Probably) wreck. It’s a 33-metre tug, went down in '93, and now sits upright in about 20 metres of water. It’s remarkably intact, which is what we love about it. You can glide over the deck, peek into the wheelhouse where the windows are long gone, and even fin your way through parts of the superstructure. What really sells it for us, though, is how the Mediterranean has reclaimed it. Schools of damselfish shimmer around the mast, and we’ve often spotted octopus tucked into crevices in the hold. The coral growth isn't Technicolor like the tropics, but it's beautiful, a mosaic of purples and greens coating the metal. Visibility here is usually decent, often 15-20 metres, making it easy to appreciate the wreck's full profile as you approach. Our tip? Go early. You might get the whole thing to yourself before the day boats arrive.
Typical CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY) Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 20m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
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.
CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY) Wreck History
Year Sunk
1993
Vessel Type
tugboat
Cause
grounding
Resting at a comfortable recreational depth off the coast of Halkidiki, the wreck known as the Captain Nikos offers a fantastic and accessible dive. This 33-meter tugboat met its end on November 30, 1993, while on a journey from Thessaloniki to the Black Sea. In a fateful turn, the vessel struck a reef and subsequently sank, coming to rest upright on a sandy bottom at 20 meters.
Today, the Captain Nikos is a superb site for wreck diving enthusiasts. Its relatively recent sinking means the structure is largely intact, allowing divers to explore its decks, wheelhouse, and superstructure. The manageable depth and typically good visibility make it an ideal dive for those with an advanced open water certification. Over the years, it has begun to attract local marine life, with schools of fish now calling the tugboat home, adding a vibrant splash of life to the steel structure.
Reviews for CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY)
CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY), sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
26.59°C
80°F
Current Speed
2.24 cm/s
Direction: NW (333.4°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.133 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
31.76 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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