A beautiful granite island that attracts jet setters from around the world, Mykonos is also an outstanding destination for divers. If you're in search of a fun filled vacation that offers plenty of topside attractions as well as some exceptional diving, look no further than Mykonos. Here are five great dive sites to help you start planning.
Grouper Rocks
While you'll certainly encounter groupers at Grouper Rocks, you'll also be able to find ancient amphorae littering the bottom. Home to lots of colorful and exceptionally friendly wrasse, this site features depths between 10 and 30 meters, and is located just a little over 15 minutes from shore. Watch for moray eels and octopus, plus lots of macro life all along this colorful reef.
Prasonisia
A very easy dive site for all, Prasonisia offers depths between just 5 and 18 meters, and is located only half an hour from shore. Despite its shallow depth, it is one of the most popular dive sites Mykonos has to offer; here, you'll find an abundance of ancient amphorae along with plenty of marine life including friendly wrasse and fleets of barracuda.
Peloponisos Wreck
An outstanding dive site that is only accessible during favorable weather conditions, and which is reserved for experienced divers, the Peloponisos Wreck dates back to the 1930's. This ship rests beneath 45 meters of water and can be accessed at a depth of 20 meters; as she went down right next to a reef, there is plenty of marine life to be found everywhere you look.
Dragonisi Caverns
Located at Dragonisi Island , which is privately owned an uninhabited, this site features magnificent rock formations with caverns etched into their sides by millennia spent absorbing the shock from the relentless pounding of waves. This area is well known for encounters with rare Mediterranean Monk Seals, and inside the caverns, curtains of shimmering glassfish part to let you pass. The walls are coated in beautiful yellow sea anemones, and there are plenty of crustaceans and invertebrates that present photographers with the perfect opportunities for some truly outstanding macro shots. Maximum depth is 30 meters, but there is plenty to see in as little as 3 meters of water.
Octopus Island
At Octopus Island, a stunning wall drops away to meet the ocean floor 60 meters below, however most guided dive trips to this site set depth limits at 30 to 35 meters. This site is located about 10 miles off the southern coast of Mykonos, and features a beautiful multicolored tapestry of sea anemones and sponges, as well as magnificent rock formations where sea stars and crabs can be found. Along the way, watch for moray eels and all sorts of fish, not to mention sea horses and of course, the octopus that give the site its name.
Topside, historic sites and beautiful beaches, stunning views, and outstanding cuisine, along with excellent accommodations, make Mykonos a fantastic place to get away from the worries and cares of everyday life. Be sure to make reservations in advance to ensure you get to explore the sites that appeal to you most.