CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY) - Halkidiki

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.

Location
Halkidiki, Greece, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
39.830666, 25.039333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

Wreck History - CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY)

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.

Marine 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

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 CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY)

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 CAPTAIN NIKOS (PROBABLY)

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