Post by Vasilis Mentogiannis

” Today (7-11-2024), we want to convey two powerful messages: first, everything you saw in the video, we’ve witnessed firsthand. Second, if we were to unite all these dive sites, we’d discover an incredible force beneath the surface—a sleeping giant, waiting to awaken.

Greece is that sleeping giant, a hidden powerhouse for diving tourism.

Imagine this: crystal-clear waters encircle 6,000 islands and islets, each surrounded by reefs and towering cliffs in every imaginable shade of blue. Sunlight, sea breezes, open skies, and the vastness of the ocean make up this stunning landscape, yet it conceals a hidden world.

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.

Let us share one last project that stands as a testament to our ambitions. Since 2015, we’ve uncovered 60 ancient shipwrecks around the small island of Fournoi in the Ikarian Sea. International media have called it the “Capital of Ancient Shipwrecks.” By spring 2025, the first Diving Marine Park here will be operational, equipped with a comprehensive protection and monitoring system at key points across the island.
With two large archaeological parks on Fournoi, divers from all over the world will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, with the most advanced diving gear and safety protocols including a decompression chamber, mixed gases, rebreathers, and the chance to experience the marvels of underwater archaeology firsthand.
So, as you hear these words, imagine the world just beneath the waves—a realm filled with adventure, mystery, and history, waiting to be explored. Greece’s underwater giant is stirring, and a world of diving wonders lies ahead.
Thank you for the opportunity to share the beauty and mystery of the Greek underwater world with you.”
Vasilis Mentogiannis