Tips on how to get pleasure from Scuba Diving on Zakynthos Island, Greece…

There’s a motive Greece is called one of many prime journey locations on the earth. The picturesque surroundings, the traditional civilizations, the impeccably blue Mediterranean waters…

For normal travellers, Greece is a dream trip; for avid scuba divers it’s pure bliss.

The Greek island of Zakynthos

The island of Zakynthos is positioned on the western coast of Greece 20 kilometers from the Greek mainland. Surrounded by the wealthy waters of the Ionian sea the island is simply accessible by boat or airplane.

Yearly, tons of vacationers flock to Zakynthos to benefit from the world class seashores and adrenaline pumping watersports. Probably the most fashionable locations to go to is the small city of Keri, positioned on the southwest tip of the island about 40 minutes from the primary touchdown harbour.

Scuba diving on Zakynthos

After our arrival on the island, it took just one glimpse on the blue Ionian sea for us to get the scuba diving itch. Very quickly we had discovered a dive store in Keri to get salty with over the subsequent two weeks.

From the Keri harbour there are about 12 recognized dive websites that may be explored. The dive websites vary from plunging wall dives carpeted in marine life to darkish and dismal cave dives forcing you to navigate cracks and crevices with solely a flashlight. Over our two week keep on Zakynthos, Joey and I had the possibility to dip our toes into a bit of of the whole lot.

Day after day Joey and I’d prep our gear, head out to one of many dive websites, roll off the boat and hit the cool blue water. Like clockwork, each time the water enveloped me I knew it was going to be a great dive; I felt like a Mediterranean mermaid.

Vibrant fish have been darting this fashion and that approach with no set path in thoughts. Huge rocky partitions coated in vibrant sponges and flowers glided by me as I used to be sweeping from the floor deep previous my diving skill. For 2 scuba divers who’ve performed most of their diving in Canada, it felt like heaven on earth.

My favourite dive website was Lakka, it had the most effective of each worlds; caves and nice creatures for macro images.

What’s the price of diving on Zakynthos Island, Greece?

The price of diving on Zakynthos Island was 40 euros per dive. Take a look at the be aware beneath on diving gear so your prices don’t improve.

four Greek diving issues to contemplate:

Hold these necessary questions behind your thoughts when planning your Greek scuba diving trip to Zakynthos. They might make or break your expertise.

• The time of yr:

  The nation of Greece could seem to be a yr spherical summer season climate vacation spot however don’t be fooled, it’s not. Within the winter months it could possibly get fairly chilly and vacationer season doesn’t actually begin till June.

• Convey your personal gear:

  It’s no secret that scuba diving could be exhausting on the checking account. Should you’re trying to save a bit of cash in your Zakynthos dive journey think about packing a few of your dive gear for the journey and simply lease the tank and weights from an area dive store.

• Location:

  The island of Zakynthos will not be huge (solely 405.55 km2) however it could possibly nonetheless take awhile to get round, particularly if you happen to don’t have a automotive. Work out which diving firm you’ll use and ensure to guide lodging near its location.

• Tips on how to get to the island:

  There are two other ways to get to Zakynthos; by way of boat or by way of airplane. Be certain if you happen to arrive by airplane you give your self the really helpful 24 hour off-gassing window earlier than retreating. Security first! (See our recommendations on discovering low-cost flights)

We could have arrived early within the season however that didn’t make our dives any much less fintastic. From diving in large shrimp stuffed caverns to swimming with a uncommon and endangered Mediterranean monk seal, the clear blue waters of Zakynthos took our breath away. Potential divers ought to be ready for the chilly and surprising since you by no means know what you’ll cross paths with on this neck of the ocean.

Should you’re fascinated by Zakynthos dive website particular particulars, check out an in depth article on our scuba diving weblog.

Past scuba diving on Zakynthos:

Whereas the island of Zakynthos many be surrounded by water, scuba diving just isn’t the one neat factor to do on this island. Listed below are a couple of actions price trying into throughout your Zakynthos trip:

1. Navagio Seaside

Azure blue water assembly white pebbled seaside, want I say extra? Spend your floor interval on Shipwreck Seaside which will get its identify from the big rusted 1980 ship washed up on its shore. This seaside is simply accessible by water and has no shade or services so be sure that to guide a ship tour and produce a number of water!

2. The Blue Caves

The very first thing you’ll discover once you arrive on Zakynthos is the rugged coast plunging into turquoise waters. Throughout the 123 kilometers of shoreline there are small caves to be discovered carved into the limestone by the continual tide and wave motion.

Essentially the most well-known of these caves are the Blue Caves round Cape Skinari which might solely be accessed by boat. The most effective time of day to go to the caves is earlier than midday when the lighting is good to have the solar reflecting off the blue water giving the white partitions of the cave a magical look.

three. Olive orchards

In every single place you activate Zakynthos island you will see that rows upon rows of olive timber. Should you plan your trip throughout prime olive season (within the autumn) you possibly can be a part of the locals through the “liotrivi” and choose, press and benefit from the pleasant chunk of some genuine Greek olives.

four. Snorkeling with sea turtles

The waters off the Bay of Laganas are thought of nesting grounds to the most important inhabitants of Loggerhead sea turtles within the Mediterranean. Firstly of June attempt your luck at recognizing a few of these unimaginable endangered marine animals and take of their grace and poise as they glide seamlessly by means of the water. If you’re a turtle lover like me, it’s also possible to try our Costa Rican turtle nesting journey!

Joey and I spent a wonderful two weeks on Zakynthos and that was not practically sufficient time to see all of it. Being in the beginning scuba divers, we inevitably spent most of these 14 days underwater, and I wouldn’t have needed to spend it every other approach.

Whereas most individuals consider coral reefs and tropical waters in relation to a scuba trip, our underwater journey in Greece resides proof that nice scuba diving can occur even once you’re removed from the equator.

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