Explore Peloponnese

Diving in the Peloponnese, West Greece, and the Ionian Sea offers a captivating experience for divers of all levels. This region is steeped in history, famously connected to the mainland by the Isthmus of Corinth and known as the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Beneath its waves lies a treasure trove of shipwrecks, vibrant reefs, and fascinating marine life, making it an irresistible destination for underwater adventurers.

One of the highlights is the Andros Wreck, considered one of the best in Greece, offering an exhilarating dive through history. The Bay of Navarino, rich with 19th-century Ottoman shipwrecks, provides a unique window into the past. For those seeking beautiful marine landscapes, the Blue Canyon is an advanced diver's dream, while beginners can enjoy the accessible Atlas Reef via a shore dive. Pilos is another remarkable site, with ancient wrecks and a stunning array of sponges and coral. The seasonal variations add charm, as different marine species make their appearances throughout the year, enhancing the allure of this diving haven.

Courses and Events

Freediver

When you become an SSI Freediver, you open the door to worldwide freediving opportunities. Learning to freedive with SSI is easier than you think. In this program, online training, pool/confined water sessions, and open water dives are combined to help you become a confident and safe freediver in no time. Once certified, you can freedive with a buddy in open water up to a depth of 20 meters and explore a variety of stunning underwater ecosystems around the world. Get started on your SSI Freediver course online today!

01 April +34 More
EUR 380.00

Advanced Freediver

Many freedivers share a passion for diving deeper. The SSI Advanced Freediver program will teach you everything you need to know to increase your average dive time by advancing your freediving breath holding training. SSI Advanced Freediver teaches you the concept of efficiency when freediving, making your body stronger and more effective in the water. Discover the exciting freefall and Frenzel techniques, refined buddy system skills, and more. Sign up in your MySSI account and get started online today!

09 April +32 More
EUR 450.00

Performance Freediver

Get closer to making your ultimate freediving goals a reality with the SSI Performance Freediver certification program. This is the highest level of non-professional freediving course SSI offers and will help you discover your true freediving potential. Using an in-depth combination of online learning and in-person freediving sessions, you will maximize your skills and learn the techniques used in the competitive freediving world.

27 April +14 More
EUR 570.00

Dive Activity

Diving in Peloponnese

The Peloponnese, West Greece, and the Ionian Sea are a diver's paradise, offering a rich array of underwater experiences. Among the top dive sites is the HMS Perseus wreck near Kefalonia, a submarine resting at about 52 meters/171 feet, enticing advanced divers with its historical allure. For shore diving enthusiasts, Pylos provides easy access to vibrant reefs teeming with marine life, where divers can observe the fascinating behavior of octopuses and colorful fish in the crystal-clear waters. Unique experiences await those venturing into night dives, especially around Zakynthos, where the underwater world transforms under the moonlight, revealing nocturnal creatures. Both liveaboard and shore diving options are available, allowing divers flexibility in exploring the region's underwater wonders. Whether you're seeking thrilling wrecks or serene coral gardens, this region offers a harmonious blend of marine adventures for all skill levels.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Peloponnese

The Peloponnese, West Greece, and Ionian Sea offer a diverse marine ecosystem, ideal for diving enthusiasts. Common reef fish include the colorful wrasses and groupers, often spotted near rocky outcrops and coral formations. These areas also host an array of small crustaceans and nudibranchs, adding to the vibrant underwater scenery divers can explore year-round.

Seasonal highlights include the majestic loggerhead turtles, primarily seen during the summer months when they come to nest on sandy beaches. Divers may also encounter the elusive Mediterranean monk seal, although sightings are rare and mostly occur around remote islands. Rays are more common in the spring and early summer, while sightings of sharks, such as the blue shark, increase in the later summer months, primarily in deeper waters. Overall, the region provides a rich and diverse marine experience, with species' visibility varying by time of year and diving locations.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
456 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
3
A
5
M
25
J
44
J
100
A
131
S
97
O
42
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
354 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
6
M
27
J
49
J
116
A
87
S
45
O
21
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
125 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
3
A
5
M
1
J
5
J
46
A
37
S
16
O
9
N
3
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
107 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
3
M
12
J
14
J
16
A
27
S
21
O
10
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
886 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
3
A
8
M
55
J
87
J
182
A
292
S
193
O
59
N
5
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
545 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
2
A
3
M
35
J
42
J
150
A
160
S
124
O
27
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
213 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
3
A
2
M
20
J
14
J
47
A
88
S
29
O
6
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
209 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
6
A
7
M
18
J
13
J
46
A
60
S
32
O
17
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
163 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
7
M
15
J
21
J
42
A
36
S
30
O
10
N
0
D
0

The best Months to dive in Peloponnese

Diving in the Peloponnese, West Greece, and the Ionian Sea offers diverse and appealing conditions throughout the year. The water temperatures range from 15°C–25°C/59°F–77°F, with warmer temperatures from May to October. Visibility generally remains excellent, often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet, providing clear views of the vibrant underwater life.

While diving is possible year-round, the most favorable conditions are from late spring to early autumn. During winter, divers may encounter stronger winds and currents, particularly from the north, which can affect underwater conditions and accessibility. Despite these factors, the region remains a popular destination for divers due to its rich marine biodiversity and historical underwater sites.

Dive Centers

Nero-Sport Diving Center, Zakynthos, Griechenland

Limni Keriou, 29092 Zakynthos, GRC

KALAMATA FREEDIVERS

20 POSEIDONOS MARINA KALAMATAS, 24100 KALAMATA, GRC

ACHILLEON DIVING CENTER

PALEOKASTRITSA, 49083 CORFU, GRC

NAUTILUS DIVING CLUB

VASSILIKI LEFKAS, 31082 LEFKAS ISLAND, GRC

SCUBA BLUE DREAM

4 Poliklitou, 21059 Epidavros, GRC

POSEIDON DIVING CENTER

Ermones, Corfu, 49100 CORFU, GRC

MANI DIVING SCHOOL

DEXAMENI, 23062 LIMENI, GRC

IONIAN DIVERS

111 AUSTRALIAS, 26442 PATRAS, GRC

AquaTrail Adventures

HOTEL POSEIDON, 20300 LOUTRAKI, GRC

CORFU DIVING FUN CLUB

KAVVADADES, 49081 CORFU, GRC

Dive Easy

Acharavi Thinaliou, 49100 Corfu, GRC

Karina Wild Fun Dive Center

DAFNI BEACH ZAKYNTHOS, 29100 ZAKYNTHOS, GRC

ZANTE BLUE REEF

TSILIVI near Alexandra Beach Bar or behind Limanaki Port, 29100 ZAKYNTHOS, GRC

Dive Sites

DIVE INN CORFU, 49080 CORFU

St. George Reef North (★4.6)

Nice, easy dive ideal for new divers. Also a great spot for night dives where we can see a variety of life. With good air consumption this dive can last up to 90 minutes!
DIVE INN CORFU, 49080 CORFU

Lagoudia Wall (★4.6)

7 min ride with the boat from our dive center. A beautiful reef with an amazing drop. Starting from 5 to 7 meters down to 30 meters. On perfect visibility, you can admire the scattering islands lying on the bottom of the wall. A site that will satisfy the most demanding diver.
SCUBA BLUE DREAM, 21059 PALEA EPIDAVROS

Minotaur Labyrinth (★4.7)

Ideal for both beginners and advanced divers, this unique site offers varying depths suitable for each level. Beginners can enjoy the 5m rocky shoreline and beautiful swim throughs at 3m, while advanced divers can swim across sand in search of stingrays and flat fish, eventually reaching a drop off at 20m.
SCUBA BLUE DREAM, 21059 PALEA EPIDAVROS

Aspro Faro (★4.7)

This sheltered bay is the ideal dive site for beginners on days when the sea is not so calm! The deserted area is only accessible by boat, meaning there are always large amounts of fish for to look at, as well as a stunning view above water of the rocks against the magnificent blue sea.
Nero-Sport Diving Center, 29092 Zakynthos

Südwand (★4.1)

Dive site with deep and shallow areas. Beautiful steep wall with a chance of crawfish and a beautifully overgrown overhang. Depth between 0 and 40m
Nero-Sport Diving Center, 29092 Zakynthos

Steinhaufen (★4.4)

Large cairn of huge boulders, which can be searched in several places.
Nero-Sport Diving Center, 29092 Zakynthos

Flintenlauf / 2-Finger-Riff (★4.5)

Travel time approx. 30 minutes, depth 0-40m, reef rich in fish with shallow and deep areas as well as a 50m long cave, suitable for beginners and advanced users
Nero-Sport Diving Center, 29092 Zakynthos

Paternoster Höhle (★4.4)

Travel time about 30 minutes, depth 0-40m, mainly depths up to 40m and a large cave with a double-decker entrance/exit, suitable for beginners and advanced users
Nero-Sport Diving Center, 29092 Zakynthos

Dick & Doof (★4.2)

Dive site with deep and shallow areas. Beautiful steep wall with a chance of lobsters and a flat canyon with great light. Depth between 0 and 40m
Nero-Sport Diving Center, 29092 Zakynthos

Keri Caves (★4.4)

Diving site with beautiful caves in the shallow area. Depth between 0 and 12m. Travel time only 30 minutes, suitable for both beginners and advanced users
Nero-Sport Diving Center, 29092 Zakynthos

Schwefelhöhle Zakynthos (★4.2)

Travel time about 30 minutes, depth 0-30m, several caves / grottos in the 0-12m range and a deep area up to 30m, suitable for beginners and advanced users
SCUBA BLUE DREAM, 21059 PALEA EPIDAVROS

40 Rows (★4.7)

This sheltered bay is the ideal dive site on days when the sea is not so calm. The deserted area is only accessible by boat, meaning there are always large amounts of fish look at, as well as a stunning view above water of the rocks against the magnificent blue sea.
Nero-Sport Diving Center, 29092 Zakynthos

Torbogen / Altarhöhle (★4.6)

Dive site with deep and shallow areas. Beautiful steep wall that ends in an archway with a chance of lobsters as well as 2 caves and a grotto depth between 0 and 40m
Nero-Sport Diving Center, 29092 Zakynthos

Christosfelsen (★4.1)

20 minutes drive | Free descent, no flat area, susceptible to currents and only suitable for advanced divers. Depth between 15-40 meters very clear waters
SCUBA BLUE DREAM, 21059 PALEA EPIDAVROS

Polymarcha (★4.7)

This beautiful bay has a small island lying just a short way from the shore where divers can see hundreds of fish swimming around. This calm spot makes for the perfect introduction to the underwater world for Try Scuba dives and the first dives of the Open Water Course.