Intermediate Greece
Crete
World War II wrecks and caves, on Greece's largest island
Greece's largest island was the site of an air and naval battle in 1941, and part of it is still on the seabed: downed aircraft, sunken ships, and wreckage you can dive at recreational depth in the clarity of the Aegean.
In this guide you'll find out what wrecks Crete offers and what condition they're in, what its limestone caves and walls are like, when to go, what to expect from Aegean wildlife, and what level each dive requires.
It's the Greek destination with the most accessible underwater heritage, and a good reminder that in the Mediterranean, archaeology and recent history are as much a part of the appeal as geology.
Geography and access
Crete is Greece's largest island and closes off the Aegean Sea to the south, with a more sheltered and populated north coast and a rugged south coast exposed to the open Mediterranean.
The seabed is limestone and rock, with walls, caves, arches, and sand and seagrass bottoms. Like the rest of the Aegean, the water is very clear and the biomass modest.
The island was the site of an airborne invasion and naval combat during World War II, and the seabed preserves remains of it: downed aircraft and sunken ships, some at recreational depth.
Greek underwater heritage is strictly protected: archaeological remains and many historic wrecks are regulated and dived through authorized centers, and removing any object is severely prosecuted.
Access is by direct flight from numerous European cities in season, with two main airports and internal transfers that can be long given the island's size.
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