CRETE – CHANIA
7 DAYS / 10 BOAT DIVES IN CRETE FROM 635€
THE DIVE PACKAGE IS VALID FROM OCTOBER – MAY
The town of Chania is built on the site of the ancient Kidonia, one of the most important cities of Crete according to Homer. The surviving architectural remains of the city belong to large size buildings from the Mycenaean times. During the post-Mycenaean times, the city flourished greatly and remained such until the Roman era, when August Caesar declared Kidonia an independent town. Many ancient towns and temples had been constructed in the region, such as the temple of Asklepios in Lissos. In 823 AC, the city was surrendered to the Saracens and in 828 AC, it was destroyed like many Cretan cities.
In 961 AC, the Byzantines rebuilt the entire city using all the expendable material that was left from the ruins. To protect the city, they built a fortress around the hill, known as Kasteli. However, the town started declining, and from that period only some parts of the fortress walls survive to this day.
In 1204 AD, Chania was occupied by the Venetians who fortified the town around Kasteli fortress and restored the ruined city. During the four-century presence, Venetians built their catholic cathedral inside the castle and many elegant mansions. However, their strong fleet was soon attacked by the Genouates and they were defeated. As a result, they remained for some years in Chania but before they left the burned the whole town. The Venetians came back and rebuilt the entire city with a stronger wall around the city of Chania. The following years, Chania flourished greatly with the construction of many elegant buildings and houses according to the Venetian architecture.
The Venetian port and the historical alleys with the tall mansions in Chania give a nostalgic atmosphere. The history of Chania had a huge cultural impact in the life of the Cretans.
DAY 1
Transfer to the hotel for check in. A warm welcome and a briefing about the schedule.
DAY 2
For our first dive we will be headed at Agios Onoufrios area which is a long vertical wall with possibility of more than 5 different dives, interesting marine life, many sponges and a lot of microlife. With a minimum depth of 12 meters & a maximum of 32 meters is a dive site suitable for all levels of divers.
Second dive of the day at Theater. A a beautiful complex of caverns with a big tunnel and smaller different chambers. Plenty of sponges and soft corals in addition with the microlife, creating a spectacular dive site. Suitable for all the levels of divers. Minimum 6 meters & maximum depth 15 meters.
DAY 3
The Cavern is a spectacular dive site. Entering the cavern in a depth of 14 meters and be amazed of the huge chamber with the natural light that comes from the opening in the roof!!!! With minimum of 12 of meters & maximum depth of 22 meters it is a dive for all level of divers.
For our second dive of the day we will be headed at the Spot Lights. Spot Lights are small, easy caverns, perfect for beginners in cavern and cave diving. In combination with open water dive makes an unforgettable experience! Minimum depth of 12 meters & maximum of 18 meters.
DAY 4
Seitan Limenes is located in the east part of Akrotiri peninsula. The first impression of the vertical -more than 70 meters high- cliffs ,prefigures the diver of what is coming underwater. The blue, crystal water of the area, together with the amazing vertical walls, the small caverns and caves, and with visibility more than 25 meters create a dive site that will fulfill the most demanding diver. With a Maximum depth of 40 meters this dive site is suitable for all level of divers.
The Elephant Cave at Cape Drapano in Chania is an underwater sight of stunning beauty and unique heritage, both for professional and amateur divers. At a distance of only 30 km from the centre of Chania and north of Kokkino Chorio, lies this underwater cave, a chance discovery by a spearfisher a mere 21 years ago, in about 1999.
The Ephorate of Paleoanthropology & Speleology undertook exploration of the cave in 2000 where experts came across some exceptional finds, such as elephant and –a small number of– deer bones. The cave took its name exactly from these finds and, in particular, the bones of an unknown elephant species dubbed “Elephas chaniensis”, i.e. Elephant from Chania.Access to the cave is done only via boat while its entrance lies 10 m under the surface of the sea. To reach the main hall of the cave, measuring 125 m long and about 25 m wide, one has to swim for about 40 m in an underwater tunnel of excellent visibility.
The rich natural décor, visible around the main part of the cave, is sure enchanting! The roof is covered with dazzling stalactites of a reddish tint caused by high rates of aluminium and iron, while, in the water, there is a number of wonderful stalagmites, proof that its bottom has not been always under water. These facts along with a study of sediments prove that the cave was dry some thousands of years ago. The cave today bears refuge to Monachus monachus, the Mediterranean seal, one of a number of endangered mammals on our planet.
Let’s marvel at all hidden and unhidden beauties of this exquisite cave together, like stalactites and stalagmites, the fossilised bones integrated into the cave’s ore.
DAY 5
The Dragon’s Nest is an amazing dive site!!! Swim through huge rocks, enter the tunnels and have a unique experience. With a minimum 12 of meters & a maximum depth 22 meters, this dive is for all levels of divers.
Second dive at Seal Cave ! A completely closed spring cave is waiting for you to explore it!! As the diver swims through the cave, will notice the fresh water mixed with salt water creating the halocline effect! At last five meters is only fresh crystal clear water with great visibility. The diver is surfing to the main chamber of the cave, which is full of stalactites and stalagmites. Minimum depth of 5 meters & a maximum of 18 meters suitable also for advanced divers.
DAY 6
Pervolitsa bay is a beautiful small bay accessible only by boat and deep blue waters
A place you will find most of the big fish of Crete, and various remains from older era ships. With a minimum depth of 16 meters & and a maximum of 40 meters it is ideal for experienced divers looking for deep diving and wall diving.
Second dive for the day at the amazing ship wreck of Minnewaska.Minnewaska had been launched in 1908 and sailed the London to New York route until 1915 when she was requisitioned by the British Army with disastrous consequences. In 1916, she struck a mine in Souda Bay, Crete, in the Mediterranean sea. With 1,800 troops on board and badly damaged, she was beached and written off as a total loss. A minimum depth of 16 meters & a maximum depth of 25 meters gives us a great view of the ships remains.
DAY 7
No Dive – Decompression Day.
– 6 nights in dbl room with breakfast. Website: https://www.kavos-hotel.gr/, Rosmarino Downtown modern studios, https://www.eliahotels.com/
– 10 Boat Dives (2 per day). Tanks & weights included. (Diving sites: Cargo boat wreck, caverns, walls and Reefs).
– All dives are guided by Scuba Hellas expert divers & Accociates.
– All rates are quoted for a minimum of 8 pax in dbl sharing rooms.
* Itineraries and scheduled dives are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including weather and sea conditions.
