One of the largest Mediterranean Islands, with more than 4,000 years of recorded history, Crete has breathtaking views, crystal clear water, long stretches of brilliant sandy beaches, and friendly people, not to mention some spectacular dive sites. Here are just five of the best to help you begin planning what might just be the best dive holiday you've ever taken.
El Greco
A fantastic cave dive inside a huge cavern about 30 meters long, with an opening about 10 meters high and an inside diameter of about 7 meters, El Greco is located along a stunningly beautiful rock wall with its entrance at a depth of 17 meters. The cave's huge entryway allows natural light to penetrate quite far, and inside, you'll see evidence that points toward the cavern's above-ground origins - stalactites and stalagmites created by dripping water are now completely submerged, millennia after their original formation. In some areas, fresh water still penetrates, creating a spectacular halocline near the surface. When you reach the far end of the cavern, you'll come to a vertical siphon equipped with a rope; haul yourself up if you like, and you'll find that you're inside a subterranean chamber filled with fresh air from outside. Maximum depth at the bottom of reef and the adjoining outer wall which holds the cave entry is 26 meters.
Blue Cave
Situated in a huge rocky wall that rises skyward to a height of about 100 meters above the waterline, Blue Cave features a large entryway at a depth of 12 meters. As you make your descent, you'll see beautiful sponges and red coral, and between April and June, the area is well-known for its abundance of lobsters. Inside, Blue Cave's chamber is huge - about 15 meters long and 11 meters wide, with a very high ceiling that rises to above the sea's surface. While less experienced divers will want to stay in the main chamber, those with technical certificates will want to enter a siphon to the right, which leads into a second chamber that features windows in the cave wall which look out into the open sea.
Agia Varvara
Featuring maximum depth at just 14 meters, Agia Varvara is a fantastic site for all divers. This wonderful rocky island is located about 300 meters offshore from the old village of Sissi, and features magnificent rock formations with cracks, holes, and crevices just begging to be peered into. You'll find a 10 meter long swimthrough at 13 meters, which features holes in the ceiling through which shafts of sunlight shine, and everywhere you look, you'll see anthias and plenty of other colorful fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates.
Dia Island Wreck
Located along Crete's southern shore, the Dia Island Wreck is a 20 meter long French cargo vessel, lying at a depth of just 18 meters, and easily accessed at a depth of 12 meters. Here, you'll find all kind of marine life including schooling fish and enormous sponges, large groupers, and lots of lobsters and shrimp in the coral encrusted caves nearby. Divers with more experience will want to explore the adjoining wall, which offers the potential to dive to a depth of 40 meters for encounters with larger pelagic fish.
Messerschmitt Wreck
Lying at depths between 24 to 30 meters, and home to huge groupers and a colony of moray eels, the Messerschmitt Wreck is one of Crete's most famous dive sites. This Nazi fighter plane was shot down during WWII and lies only 20 meters away from a nearby reef. The main portion of the wreck is at 24 meters, while the tail section, lying 50 meters away, is at 30 meters. The wreckage is upside down, but you can see right into the cockpit and you'll also be able to view one of the guns, which is still loaded with live ammunition belts. While you'll certainly be warned not to touch these during the dive briefing, the warning bears repeating - this ammunition has the potential to explode, even underwater.
The dive season in Crete generally runs from April to October, and you'll find plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation topside, including shopping, a fun and festive nightlife, and plenty of incredible historic sites that span the millennia.