Santorini’s seabottom is a combination of “crystal clear waters and dramatically impressive underwater landscapes”, as Pierre Yves Cousteau put it. It was forty years ago that his father, oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, explored the depths of Santorini in search of the lost city of Atlantis. The results of that expedition were disappointing but a different treasure was revealed: the beauty of the  largest submerged caldera in the world, reaching depths of 400 meters. This underwater landscape of lava formations, caves, dramatic cliffs and seagrass meadows has been attracting divers from all over the world.  With visibility reaching as far as 20 meters, water temperatures of 23 to 27 degrees Celsius in the summer and the highest biodiversity in the Cyclades, Santorini is one of the top places to dive in Greece. Not to mention the unique sensation of rising to the surface of the water and facing the caldera, 360 meters above sea level. 

There are several diving centers to choose from on the island and here are some of the top diving sites:

Perissa and Kamari Rock 

Apart from their astonishing black sands, Perissa and Kamari Rock feature enormous volcanic rock formations that are much like an underwater labyrinth.  Colorful sponges and corals coat many of these rocks, and the hiding places they provide serve as shelter for octopus, moray eels, and plenty of crustaceans.  

The volcano

The volcano’s rock formations and the wreck of a tour boat are the two major points of interest in this dive site.  

The caves 

Situated on the south coast of Santorini, the Caves are a spectacular combination of underwater caverns and canyons. Apart from the impressive topography, it is not unusual to spot a moray eel or an octopus in this area.

Adiavatos reef

Adiavatos is a beautiful reef near Santorini’s volcano. Here you can see several crustaceans and invertebrates and –if you are lucky- groupers or barracuda fish.