Greece might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think about scuba diving. The beautiful country, vibrant culture, warm climate and brilliant food will make for a great holiday though.

Undersea archeology

Actually, scuba diving used to be against the law in most places and on most islands, because of all the archaeological treasures that are hidden below sea level. There are numerous archaeological sites that still need excavation. There is so much ancient Greek history hidden below the surface, that it will take a minimum of decades to excavate it all.

Scuba diving was prohibited in many places, because the Greeks are wary of treasure hunters. They are very proud of their ancient ancestors and heritage and wanted to use the historical items still to be discovered to learn more about their famous past. Recently, the prohibitions have be relaxed somewhat. There are many islands where you can dive now, however you are still not allowed to excavate any ancient treasures.

Great visibility

As soon as you have found a place where you are allowed to dive, scuba diving in Greece can be a memorable experience. The pristine blue waters of the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea are very clear and provide excellent dive spots with visibility that can be in excess of 30 metres. The reefs and marine life might not be as abundant as in other places, but there is enough to see. Don't expect to see any very large marine life though, as most of the Mediterranean waters have been emptied by fishermen.

Local dive schools

In the places where you find more tourists, there are some excellent dive schools that are well able to teach you how to dive. Since there are many walls and steep underwater cliffs around the islands, it is also a good place for technical dives. Many dive boats have Nitrox bottles on board as a standard.

Whenever you want to go for a dive, check the local laws, see if there is a dive school with divers that speak English and make sure you bring some patience. Scuba Diving in Greece has ocasionally adapted to the Greek lifestyle. This means that things move slowly and delays can be common. The laid-back mentality of these friendly people easily makes up for that though. Greece might not be the natural choice for a diving holiday, but you can definitely enjoy some great dives there.