Greece?

[anewbediving]

Dear All, I'm planning a week long family summer holiday for 4 including very freshly Open water certified 12 and 11 year olds (older one have 12 dives, the younger one none as yet) both are really keen and exited. The adults are certified AOW, but not very experienced either. We were thinking about going to Greece (somewhere in Europe, but not too far - we have not decided yet, I'm open to suggestions) to build some confidence/experience but not sure first where exactly to go, second would really appreciate any advice as to finding the diving company on site to take us to diving spots and guide us under water.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[BlueTrin]

Maybe you could try the regional forum, will have people with experience of this area

Central and Eastern Europe

 

[MrVegas]

I posed my experiences here: Peloponnese, Greece diving?

We weren't going to Greece specifically for diving, but had good experiences on the two days of diving we did.

 

[Doc Harry]

I've been scuba diving in Greece. It's not a dive-friendly country. They jealously guard their ancient artifacts and are very suspicious of scuba divers. The water is typically pretty darn cold, the visibility is poor, and the locations for diving is limited because of the restrictions on diving.

The Mediterranean in general is not known as a spectacular place for diving. Go to Europe, have fun, but save your money for diving elsewhere.

 

[anewbediving]

Thank you All for your help, the problem is that we want to do some practice dives before we will go somwhere further (more expensive next year) and we will not be able to go this holidays, our kids are really keen to dive somewhere and thought that Greece might be a good option

 

[BlueTrin]

Thank you All for your help, the problem is that we want to do some practice dives before we will go somwhere further (more expensive next year) and we will not be able to go this holidays, our kids are really keen to dive somewhere and thought that Greece might be a good option

You could try the Canary Islands ? I found it more interesting than the Mediterranean and it is still in the EU.

 

[Barmo]

How about Malta? Almost the same area and very dive-friendly. There are parking spaces reserved for divers at the dive sites (but you don't want to drive there. They drive like the Italians....). Something for both OW and AOW underwater and lots of history above water. Been there 3 years in a row now and I hope to go back next year.

 

[stepfen]

I've been scuba diving in Greece.

When was that?

It's not a dive-friendly country.

It could have been but that is changing fast.

They jealously guard their ancient artifacts

Yes the government is trying to do this (not very successfully) and I think they should given the importance, value, and amount of the treasures one can find down there.

are very suspicious of scuba divers.

Not if you dive with a local operator. I do dive mostly independently and everybody who sees us thinks that we are spearfishing (illegal with scuba here) - but that is their problem - not mine.

The water is typically pretty darn cold, the visibility is poor,

I don't know if we are talking here about the same Greece Assuming we are talking about summer months (May to October) water is typically over 25oC. Yes at depth (>25m) it can reach 20ish but that's for a short time and in anyway I wouldn't call these "darn cold" . Winter months waters are usually around 18-23oC. Not darn cold either. Apart from temperature the waters are typical Mediterranean i.e. usually no strong currents, good to very good visibility, clear (no trash - no polution) but also with limited fish life - especially for big things. There are small things (nudies etc) but one needs to know what he is looking for.

locations for diving is limited because of the restrictions on diving

Depending of the place it can be - but no sane dive operator would open a business in a place that there aren't at least few decent dive sites. If you find a dive operator with good online reviews you can be sure that they offer at least some nice spots.

The Mediterranean in general is not known as a spectacular place for diving.

I agree - if you want spectacular diving go to SE Asia, or Galapagos or something.

Now my opinion. If you want to spend an exciting month or so JUST FOR diving don't come here - you will get disappointed. But if you want to have nice relaxing holidays with the kids playing on the beach etc and on top of this do few dives and/or snorkeling in very beginner friendly conditions to see nice underwater landscapes etc then Greece can be ideal.

I live in a very popular tourist destination - a city called Chania in the West part of the island of Crete. It is very family friendly area, with several (5 or so?) dive operators - some good - some not so. The place offers some very nice top side activities too (trekking/mountaineering, visiting ancient sites, relaxing on numerous fabulous beaches etc) .

Please ask more info if you are interested.

All the best

 

[dumpsterpurrs]

How about Malta? Almost the same area and very dive-friendly. There are parking spaces reserved for divers at the dive sites (but you don't want to drive there. They drive like the Italians....). Something for both OW and AOW underwater and lots of history above water. Been there 3 years in a row now and I hope to go back next year.

How is the diving there? Where would you compare it to? I'm spoiled by Southeast Asian diving, but I'm considering doing my DM in Malta. Wondering if that's a silly idea or not.

 

[Barmo]

How is the diving there? Where would you compare it to? I'm spoiled by Southeast Asian diving, but I'm considering doing my DM in Malta. Wondering if that's a silly idea or not.

I find the water temperature ok there in August (ca 28c on surface, 20c on 30m). Visibility is good. More life in the water at night, not much in the daytime. I got to see a large tuna this year. Lots of wrecks, from 18m down to deep, tech dives.

The dive center I use there teach all from OW to tech courses. I belive they can help you with your DM. The dive center is called Divewise / Techwise. Nitrox included on all dives.