I stayed at Calma Apartments which they had recommended and absolutely loved it. The reef is home to large groupers, huge sponges, and other marine life. The majority of the diving sites are located in the north of Crete, with some magnificent ones also located to the South. There are a few great dive sites in the area but the cave was the most memorable to me. From April through June, this area becomes a home of sorts to many lobsters. Made in Austria, Switzerland, France-Legal notice, CheckYeti 2022 | Made in Austria, Switzerland, France-Legal notice. You can either fly into Chania, Cretes former capital, or Heraklion, Cretes current capital.If you are coming from overseas chances are you will have to transfer in Athens.Once you have arrived your best bet is to get a rental car to get around. There are no pre requests for the diver,except the medical form that everyone have to fill in the dive center before their dive. All content is copyright and owned by The Very Hungry Mermaid unless otherwise stated. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Then Blue Adventures Diving is the right choice See you all again very soon And Ill bring extra of grannys socks (Original) Et af verdens store vidundere vil du opleve noget fantastisk sammen med de sknneste instruktrer? Here, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in the summer, translating, and writing for The Tiny Book and her other blogs. You can either stay there or drive down from Chania town for the day. Still, one of those dives I will never forget! However, there is no shortage of diving sites around. Elafonisi Beach Crete: The Best Beach on the Island, Falassarna Beach, Crete: Complete Insiders Guide, Your email address will not be published. During the summer season and the holidays, you can catch many direct flights from European cities to Crete. Crete diving is different than what you may know from tropical waters but it is no less enjoyable. 17 Picture-Perfect Luxury Resorts in Crete for a Top Class Experience! Arxoleon 1 & kanevaro CHANIA CRETE GREECE TK. The visibility in Crete is incredible and there is so much to see! Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. Luckily, Crete is in no short supply of amazing underwater diving spots either. Both the dive facility and snorkel boat were professional, clean and comfortable. It was an amazing experience. Both caves host an abundance of marine fauna and flora, such as octopus and large sea anemones. The Tiny Book 2014-2022 TinyBookMedia See unique black corals and marine life that cannot be found anywhere else. This allows me to continue writing helpful articles for your travels. To dive, you will need a BSAC Ocean Diver or a PADI Open Water certification. The island is renowned for its mesmerising beaches, wild natural beauty, outstanding cuisine and of course thousands of years of history and culture. or leave me a message in the comments below! To enroll in a PADI Open Water Diver course, you must be 10 years old or older. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Be self-cautious and take very good care of yourself and also help protect others. Thousands of shrimps reside in this beautiful cave, hence the name. The drive takes about 1,5 hours and is beautiful. We offer high quality training to non certified divers who want to try a dive in Crete and discover the underwater. The sweet water in the cave is about 10 degrees colder than the ocean outside. Driving in Crete is fun and the drives are stunning. While there is little in terms of marine life except for some small fish and those seagrass meadows those rock formations were incredible. PADI Discover Scuba Diving course starting from Almyrida near Chania. The only problem for me? With that said, I recommend you book yourself smack bang in the middle of Chania Old Town! In the south, this was not the case: writing this I just checked my computer and can confirm that in July the temperature was at a consistent 21 degrees. Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA). I recommend PANCAR they are one of my favorite car rentals in Crete and offer great rates as well as personalized service. There is a cafe with toilets, showers and sun loungers that you can rent. Required fields are marked *. Crete, with its amazing history and warm, mild climate is a fantastic place to visit on holiday. We went to three entirely different spots to snorkel to see varying fish and terrain in absolutely beautiful, balmy seas. The water temperature is said to range from 22 to 27 degrees. If youre thinking about a scuba diving trip to Crete, its a good idea to find a nice place to stay in an area where youre planning to do most of the submarine experience. To be honest, I have been spoilt with balmy 30 degrees water temperature and colorful reef fish for most of my diving life. Colorful sea life such as sponges, groupers, morays, octopus, and starfish can be observed here. The wreck of German aircraft of WW2 lies upside down, 800 meters from shore at a depth of 24 m, broken into several parts. This post contains affiliate links. I am a self-proclaimed warm-water diver and am miserable when cold, I dont even try to deny it. Replace or update your card, buy a Special Edition or Project AWARE version of your PADI certification card, or go digital with the purchase of a PADI eCard. Respect the environment and dont leave any trash on the beach. Brrrrr.I had arrived with a 5mm suit but quickly added another 5mm shorty and a hood. Shinaria is a beautiful bay to chill but offers a great set-up for divers. If language is important to you Damulis, one of the owners, also speaks German. Luckily Damulis took good care of us and it was worth the effort: you access the cave through a halocline. Except when hotter than 40 degrees and applied for more than 20 minutes. Crete is one of the best destinations for scuba diving in Europe during summer. It is great for beginners as well as for more experienced divers who can descend to a depth of 40 m. Amazing rock formations, walls, and caverns can be seen and explored. If I could I would give them 6 out of 5. This was a fantastic 4.5-hour snorkel tour! Following the recommendations by DAN Europe medical team, we at Chania Diving would like to help you stay safe during the recent pandemic outbreak of the novel coronavirus (CO-VID-19). Friendly Staff, and very good equipment., Excellent organization, with highly skilled instructors who provided a safe and super entertaining experience and the most beautiful cavern dive Ive ever had . Lauren Groff is a writer at Academized. They offer PADI courses and fun dives and also run a boot camp for those who want to train and dive for at least 4 weeks.Fun dives can be booked in dive packages of 2, 4, 6, etc., and include your equipment rental. There is also a pool and a pool bar outside. With stone arches, fantastic volcanic rocky reefs, and an abundance of marine life in the water surrounding Chania town, its a hard spot to pass up for diving. It appeals to all ages because of how little effort there is, and without the exhaled bubbles of scuba-diving equipment. The course offers an entry-level program in Mononaftis, one of the best dive sites in Crete for its crystal clear water, great visibility, rich sea life, and absolutely safe environment for beginners. Please note that this dive is weather-dependent and is recommended for experienced divers only. I thought traveling to Greece during a pandemic would have really not been exciting, but I was so wrong! The cave was named after some 50.000-year-old elephant bones that were found here, proof that Crete was once part of Africa. Press the down arrow key to interact with the calendar and See unique black corals and marine life that cannot be found anywhere else. EU GDPR: We use cookies to give you the best online experience. I went diving with Notos Mare a small family-run dive center that also rents boats in Hora Sfakion. I discovered the beauty of Greece quite late in my traveling life but after my first bite of proper feta cheese or simply cheese as it is called in Greece and sip of Grecian wine I was hooked. Located at a short distance from the beautiful city center of Chania, Omega Divers is one of the top dive centers in the diving industry in Greece. This is where sweet water from the white mountains comes in and meets the saltwater of the sea. You might also want to read: Water Sports in Crete and other sea activities! Read more to find out where to go, the best time & which dive sites in Crete you shouldnt miss. While some of the bones still exist they were not as exciting as I imagined. The crystal clear waters allow the divers to enjoy diving with visibility even at 30m below the surface. The cave is accessible for open water divers with its entrance hovering at 9m depth and daylight always visible. Or at least what is left of it does. For certified divers we organize guided dives in Chania, Crete from 1-5 days (2 dives a day), less that 5 divers per leader, in Agios Onoufrios area, Stavros, Marathi, and Kalathas. You will need a certification, either a BSAC Ocean Diver or a PADI Open Water. Sometimes barracudas, dolphins, and stingrays appear as well. Make sure you thoroughly soak and dip every part, so the solution reaches everywhere. Beautiful, thrilling and captivating, the ocean is a realm that only a few people certified scuba divers get to experience and explore. You will need either a BSAC Ocean Diver or PADI Open Water certification to participate in this dive. Best experience of your life. The cave, shaped throughout several millennia, is also home to a fascinating and unique treasure: the fossilized remains of an extinct elephant along with other remains. It resembled a moon landscape underwater! Chania Diving Center is the main cooperators of S.S.I. Both drives have their pros and are beautiful if you have the time I recommend you do both! Afterward, you will haveone 45-minute dive to complete in the sea, and explore the marine life underwater. Most dive centers offer a dive at the Elephant Cave in combination with the Minnewaska Wreck, an old passenger steamer that lies just in front of Souda bay. A lot of them offer discovery diving courses for the absolute beginner and they even offer courses for children so the whole family can get involved. My son and I drove for 2 hours across Crete to get to Omega Divers to dive the British Wreck. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Besides colorful marine life, other attractions here include reefs and rock formations. I would definitively recommend them!, Amazing 3 days, nice staff, fantastic instructors and the most stunning dive sides. Hora Sfakion is a cute little coastal town and an excellent Crete dive destination. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. The certification requirements for this dive are either a BSAC Sports Diver or a PADI Advanced Open Water. There are also some great walls for scuba diving Chania like the Lighthouse Wall, an airplane wreck as well as some other caves like the Seal Cave or Gods Cave to explore. Omega Divers-located in Chania, in the NW of Crete, has a great, Kalypso Dive Centre-Located in the Kalypso Cretan Village Resort and Spa, in the south of Crete. Would highly recommend this dive centre very friendly international team from my original booking with Maria who answered my email questions to Karl my instructor and special thanks to dive master Theresa who helped correct my novice mistakes also thanks to Manos the owner and rest of the team Winston and our drive Philip who collected me every morning and had many stories each day , through the help of this team I have now passed the open water course and PADI certified looking forward to diving around the world. Shes written forGreek Reporter, published three travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person would be able to handle. Not to mention the color of the ocean, the hospitality, and the amazing scuba diving in the Mediterranean. Want to discover Crete under the surface? Over the years, marine plant life has started to cover the wrecked plane, making it a good host for groupers and moray eels. A BSAC Ocean Diver or a PADI Open Water certification is required to dive at this site. As the only PADI Five Star Instructor Development Center (IDC) within the area, we offer high quality scuba instruction from entry level experience through Instructor training. Do you want to snorkel or paddle? With its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and rich history, millions of tourists flock to the island yearly to relax and take in a bit of history. Do keep in mind though that you will be going through the mountains at quite an elevation so you may have to wait a couple of hours after your dive. Read on to find out what diving in Crete is all about. Once you are through you will see that the water is crystal clear all of a sudden and you can drink it. Excite your sens, Connect with nature try scuba diving! Water Sports in Crete and other sea activities! The island has quickly become one of my favorite destinations in Europe and I cannot wait to return. This is a 20 m wide and 60 m long cave. It started in Thailand and as soon as I got my AOW I was diving in Sipadan, shortly followed by trips to the Maledives and Raja Ampat. Discover Scuba Diving at Agia Pelagia near Heraklion. select a date. Try our most popular activity. The surprisingly clear blue waters of the Mediterranean beckon divers from around the world.There are dives on Crete that run the gamut of experience levels, from newbies to masters. The security of the clientele is a high a priority and it is felt and seen! There are a few holiday homes and you will have to (legally) walk through peoples backyard to get to the water. I can help!Get in touch or leave me a message in the comments below! As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. You followed the Covid regulations and made my trip so memorable. You will be diving in Ierapetra, Agia Fotia, Makris Gialos, Arvi, Psari or the island of Chrissi. We pride ourselves on the highest possible standards of excellence and the exceptional service we provide. Chania is considered by most to be the spot to visit for diving. Needless to say, Crete diving is equally special as the rest of the island and its people. It definitely wasnt one of those sardine tours you go on where dozens of people are packed into a tin can boat or bus. The Municipal Market of Chania is closed for renovations until December 2023. Read more in our, Rafting on the Neisse from Deschka to Rothenburg - Short, RIB Boat Trip along the Coast of Framura with Snorkeling, Cala Tuent, Sollr & North of Mallorca, Mallorca (Majorca), Spain, Gulf of Valinco-Propriano, Corse du Sud, Corsica, France, Boat Trip to Natural Park Kamenjak with Lunch & Swimming, RIB Boat Rental in Arbatax (up to 6 people), CheckYeti 2022 | Made in Austria, Switzerland, France. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions. You can read more about my disclosure and affiliate policy here.. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. )Top Nudist Beaches in Crete: Complete Insiders GuideThe Most Romantic Things to Do in Crete for a Perfect Escape. This is an amazing 30 m long underwater cave with astonishing stalagmites, stalactites, and plenty of light. But what good are the diving centers if there arent good spots to go diving? The only minus is the poor aquatic life, but i think the underwater landscape pays you back more! You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. Plakias is a relaxed little holiday town which is popular but not too popular. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Advanced divers can also enjoy a large reef where they can see bigger fish. They offer both shore dives and boat dives in the area around Plakias. The Tiny Book All rights reserved. This is a great diving spot where divers will see up close the abundant marine life. I have always dreamt about diving caves, and have had the best and the most calm and safe 3 days. Required fields are marked *. This is one of the top-selling scuba tours in Heraklion, often sold out, dont hesitate to book the experience if you find availability. Click here for more information and the latest prices. Many dive centers include transfer in their prices so you dont have to worry about having a rental car. Some evidence suggests that diving may have originated in Crete some 5,000 years ago as sea sponge farmers used hollowed out reeds to submerge and retrieve natural sponge for use in trade and commerce. Crete is the largest and the most populous of the Greek islands. A quick guide to the best hotels in CreteBudget: So Young Hostelin Heraklio,Cocoon City Hostelin Chania,Matthias Hotel Apartments in Rethymnon, andVilla Galiniin Agios Nikolaos.Mid-range: Capsis Astoria Heraklionin Heraklion,Porto Anticoin Chania, Archipelagos Hotel in Rethymnon, orHotel Port 7in Agios Nikolaos.Luxury: Galaxy Iraklio Hotelin Heraklion,Hotel OFFin Chania,Avli Loungein Rethymnon, orMinos Beach Art Hotelin Agios Nikolaos.Check more: Where to stay in Crete. But as I have mentioned before, I am just a warm-water diver and 21 degrees might feel balmy and warm to you! It was very professionally run and you got absolute maximum time for snorkelling. , Explore the ocean with the best! Want to discover Crete under the surface? I have been diving anywhere from Hawaii to the Red Sea for 30 years and the Omega team ranks high. Scuba diving, unlike most other water sports, requires training, certification, and a license. If you book something through these links I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Freya, our guide, was great. Check our daily programs (morning or afternoon), take the chance to choose which program is suitable for you and join us for an unforgettable Scuba Diving in Chania! Our instructors will accompany you during the whole time of the program. 73100 Phone: +30 28210 58939Mobile: +30 6947 198 660 Email: [emailprotected], Agiou Onoufriou 10B CHANIA CRETE GREECE TK. Read on to learn everything about the top sites to go scuba diving in Crete! An avid scuba diver, she writes about her passion and love of diving, as well as other water sports. 73100 Phone:+30 28210 09083Mobile: +30 6947 198 660 Email: [emailprotected], Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA), Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth, Maintain social distance of at least 1 meter, Prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses by practicing coughing and respiratory hygiene sneeze and cough covering your face with a tissue, If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, avoid contact with other people and seek medical care early, Stay informed and follow advice given by WHO and the Ministry of Health in your country of residence, When traveling please consult the local authorities of the country of destination and follow their safety measures. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. LAST-MINUTE PLANS FOR CRETE? UseFerryhopperand Skyscanner for the best ticket rates. Find great accommodation deals onBooking.com. Compare car rental prices withDiscover Cars.Check the best tours with GetYourGuide. VisitElafonisi, discoverBalos Beach, hikeSamaria,or explore Knossos.Pack theLonely Planet Guide to Creteor get mydigital guide to Chania. Disclaimer: Posts include affiliate links to products or services and I might earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Click through to read how to become an Open Water Diver, Check out Omega Divers, a Crete diving centre in Chania, Click here to find accommodation in Chania, Click through to read how to get your Advanced Open Water, Click here to find accommodation in Hora Sfakion.