Post by Vasilis Mentogiannis
Greece is that sleeping giant, a hidden powerhouse for diving tourism.
Beneath these waters lies a history like no other. In Greek underwater territories alone, there are an estimated 2,000 ancient shipwrecks and recognized archaeological sites. And that’s just the beginning. Between 1900 and 1950, over 1,500 ships sank. In the following decades, from 1950 to 2000, we lost another 1,128 ships to the depths.
Before 1900, it’s almost impossible to count, given limited records. When we add unrecorded vessels, downed aircraft—mostly from World War II—and later sinking’s, the numbers are staggering. Greece’s underwater heritage is truly colossal!
Today, we’re beginning to unlock this treasure trove. Over recent years, a series of diving parks and marine protected areas have been in development, and by spring 2025, five new sites are expected to be completed.
We are also actively creating underwater technical reefs. Airplanes, ships, underwater art, and artificial reefs are being strategically submerged throughout Greece, to enhance marine life and establish thriving underwater ecosystems.
And here’s the crown jewel of it all: the underwater archaeological museums. Imagine diving into history, seeing with your own eyes a shipwreck from the 5th century BC. Our first underwater museum, curated by the Ministry of Culture, features one of the largest Classical-period ships, filled with amphorae used to transport wine and oil. They’ve remained undisturbed for centuries, as if paused in time. A special system has been installed around the wreck, complete with five underwater cameras streaming live footage. It’s a rare and remarkable glimpse into the ancient world.
And soon, we’ll open five more of these impressive ancient wrecks, allowing divers to embark on a one-of-a-kind underwater journey through time in Alonnisos Island and beyond.