On our final day of diving in Alonissos we were being treated to the area’s most famous site and a true bucket list dive.  The ancient shipwreck of Peristera is a large merchant ship from Classical times carrying a cargo of wine amphorae, which sank around 425BC. The wreck was discovered in 1985 and subsequently excavated by archaeologists during the 1990s and early 2000s.  The Athenian-built ship is one of the largest of classical antiquity and its discovery proved that merchant ships over 100 tons traveled the Mediterranean as early as the 5th century BC.  The wooden parts of the ship have not lasted the test of time, but many of the 4000 amphorae which made up the main cargo can be found on the seabed between 21 and 29 meters deep, tracing out the shape of the original vessel.  

As a hugely important historical site the wreck is very tightly protected and an impressive underwater camera system has been installed to ensure the preservation of this historical site.  The cameras have wipers to keep the lens domes algae free and have IR sensors for nighttime.  An AI “brain” allows for remote monitoring which can identify species and conduct biodiversity data collection, and spot any unauthorised dive activity.  The live camera video feeds are also available to the public to observe the wreck on the website https://nous.com.gr/naxly_project/peristeras-ancient-ship-wreck/ 

It is a true underwater museum, with informative signs and markers to label the different artefacts and route markers which help divers maintain the correct height and distance from the amphorae (a minimum of 2m away at all times).  Diving tours are scheduled in advance so that an underwater archeologist can meet everyone for a briefing prior to entering the water and divers are then observed with the underwater CCTV system throughout the dive to ensure all artefacts remain untouched.  

On our dive we met at 10 o’clock to fill out the special paperwork and take the boat over to Peristera Island, where we met the archeologist team based in Stena Vali.  They gave us our briefing and returned to shore to watch our dive on the screens in the headquarters.  Once we had the ok, we kitted up and jumped in, swimming directly to the mooring buoy.  Our guide Angel gave us the signal and we submerged maintaining a hand on the rope for the entire descent as instructed.  

On our dive we descended the mooring line in excellent visibility and the outline of the wreck soon appeared below us, followed by route marker A and the first of the monitoring cameras.  Our first impression was not only what a unique dive this was, but also how well preserved the amphorae were, with the shapes clearly defined and looking in great condition for items over 2500 years old!  The dive was a simple one, swimming clockwise around the wreck, observing the signs and artefacts, then repeating the circuit at a slightly shallower depths. To witness something so incredibly old, in pristine condition and with state of the art museum technology functioning perfectly in the sea was mind-blowing and it was an absolute privilege to visit.  Some of our family were even able to watch us during the dive via the camera feed website from their living room across the globe!

Due to the wreck’s protected status permission was not granted to take and share photos except for our personal use so we are unable to print them, but we hope our description is enough to inspire you to go and see it in person for yourself.  It was truly one of the most amazing dives we’ve ever done.  The excellent news is that with the success of this project, plans are underway to open up several more ancient shipwrecks located within the Sporades Marine Park to divers in the coming years, which gives us a perfect excuse to return very soon!

On return to the boat, we made the short trip to Agios Petros for our second dive.  This site was a fairly shallow dive around a rock formation close to shore.  A very pleasant fin brought us round to the best feature of this dive, a small pile of amphorae, presumably from one of the ancient wrecks prior to their protection.  Here we were able to look closer at the shapes and take some close up photos.  The rocks were home to moray eels and several shy octopus and well as shoals of damselfish and wrasse.  It was a lovely and relaxing dive to round out the trip.

In the afternoon we took a trip to the Alonissos Underwater Museum Peristera shipwreck information centre located in the Old Village.  The centre had a 3D model of the wreck, amphorae replicas, information displays and a Virtual Reality Dive of the shipwreck.  The VR system is quite incredible with a very detailed dry dive experience, perfect for those unable to do the real dive itself.  A trip to this fantastic centre was a wonderful addition to our trip and had the added bonus of giving us another excuse to wander the picturesque alleys of the Old Village and stop for an ice cream at a cafe overlooking the coastline.

Perhaps one of the best things about Alonissos as a holiday destination is that the island offers so much more than great diving.  We’ve always considered a full day of diving pretty perfect, but here we were delighted to take the afternoons off to go and explore!  We found stunning secluded beaches, mountain drives through the olive groves, picture postcard fishing villages, fabulous tavernas serving great local cuisine and one of the prettiest old towns you could hope to stroll through.  We felt we had found our own personal paradise. 

Mike and I had high hopes for Alonissos and it easily exceeded our expectations in every way. We throughly recommend visiting for yourselves and we will certainly be back again next year!

Thanks to:

Alonissos Triton Dive Center https://bestdivingingreece.com/

Albedo Travel https://alonissosholidays.com/activities/

Paradise Hotel https://paradise-hotel.gr/

Alonissos Municipality https://alonissos.gr/en/

The Maltese island of Gozo lies at the heart of the Mediterranean and, despite its diminutive size, it punches well above its weight as a world-class diving destination. So, what is it that’s so magical about Gozo and the surrounding sea that, like the bioluminescent light of an angler fish, draws in divers from far and wide?

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

Standing on the bastions of the UNESCO-rated medieval citadel at the centre of this tiny tranquil idyll, you can see nearly 50km of enticing curvaceous coastline circumscribing this golden island. Crystal-clear waters lap at Gozo’s shore which boasts a wealth of dive sites in every direction – the colours shift smoothly from a transparent jade over white sand to a rich sapphire blue over the deeps beyond, and all promise spectacular visibility. Raise your eyes from the warm azure water, and you’ll spot Gozo’s sister Comino, a short boat ride away, with yet more underwater wonders.

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

It’s no wonder that the ancient Greek myths tell of how, when Odysseus came here, he stayed for seven years. You might hear tell that he was captivated by the sea-nymph Calypso but we know better: surely it was the lure of the sea and the beauty beneath the surface that kept him entranced!

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Zoom in to Xlendi, the island’s most picturesque fishing village, acclaimed for its scenic bay: it’s a charming cove nestled between dramatic cliffs. Here, just steps away from the water’s edge, you’ll find Gozo Dive (formerly St Andrews), a dynamic, professional dive centre which caters comprehensively for every level of diver, from the exuberant 8-year old or the nervous beginner to the avid advanced open water diver and established experts with bulging log-books under their weight-belts.

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

Xlendi Bay itself is a marvel – whether for a shake-out dive on its gently sloping sands, or for something more dramatic. Underwater, it’s spectacular, with inner and outer reefs, a towering pinnacle, a secret tunnel into an open water cave, and the criss-crossed ropes of the boats on one side of the bay that add a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ flavour for those with a whimsical leaning.

Xlendi’s deeper waters are also home to the world’s first deepwater archaeological park where a Phoenician shipwreck dating back to the 7th century BC lies 110 metres below the surface. Although some intrepid divers head down to see this for real, most people view this wreck and its ancient amphora on screen inside the historic watchtower that stands on guard at the entrance to the bay. (Standing above Roman salt pans, traditionally used to harvest sea salt, this tower dates back to the Knights of Malta for whom it provided protection against pirates, deterring smugglers and quarantine evaders. It was also used as an observation deck during World War II, when the entire Maltese Islands were awarded The George Cross for bravery by King George VI.)

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

With a 30-year history of excellence, and a friendly international team of professional instructors, Gozo Dive offers guided diving for everyone, all year round, whatever your ambition whether that’s simply a 1 day try dive you’re after, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver or specialty courses. Training packages available include PADI, SSI, RAID & SDI/TDI for adults and children, and technical, CCR & instructor courses too, all personalised as you wish.  Fancy developing your underwater photography or learning Trimix techniques to explore deeper dive sites with the use of helium-based breathing mixtures? Rebreather courses or looking to build up 30 or more rebreather hours before your MOD2? No problem. With a dedicated Tech Room, Gozo Dive have it all covered.

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

Gozo Dive will welcome you – in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish or Maltese – as a solo diver, a family or a large group, and with the brand-new deluxe Gozo Dive Residence on the hillside just above Gozo Dive, they’ll can make life easy for you with a fully organized dive & stay package (complete with airport transfers). Designed for divers, these brand-new self-catering apartments have stunning bay-view balconies, a breathtaking roof-top plunge pool, air conditioning and powerful WiFi.

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

Beyond Xlendi, North, South, East and West, Gozo is a playground of caves, tunnels, reefs, and wrecks whatever the direction of the waves and wind. Most dives are accessible from the shore; others, Gozo Dive reaches with its own purpose-built spacious boat. Stay in the shade, as you whip across the waves!

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

The Blue Hole is the most famous dive site on Gozo, an extraordinary rock chimney with a giant window to the ocean sixteen metres below the surface, from which you can venture out into Gozo’s Coral Gardens and Coral Cave or over a seabed scattered with giant boulders and geological intrigue. Just 100 metres away, The Inland Sea is another extraordinary spot, a green-blue lake surrounded by rock, from which you can follow a shallow tunnel to the cerulean blue beyond. For Game of Thrones fans, this rocky outcrop, ‘Dwejra’, is the location at which the wedding between the Dothraki warlord Khal Drogo and Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen, was filmed. (You could also, on your final afternoon before you fly home, visit Malta’s ancient city of Medina, to see the Entrance Gate and streets, and squares of King’s Landing.)

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

Perhaps lesser known, but equally striking, on Gozo’s Northern coast, Cathedral Cave is reached by following an ‘underwater stairway’ of momentous boulders that leads into a large cave, to enjoy both above and below the water. Into this vast dome of rock, light floods from below whilst fresh air reaches you through a crack in the rock and the water’s a vivid blue. Surfacing here is a fantastical experience and an amazing photo opportunity.

There’s nothing like a wreck emerging from the seabed to trigger the imagination: at the MV Karwela, a 1950s passenger ferry from Valletta’s Grand Harbour sitting upright on the sand to the south of the island, the light dapples through the windows and wooded slats. Its classic split stairway evokes thoughts of the Titanic!

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Then over on the remote island of Comino, the P31 is a decommissioned military patrol boat, scuttled at 21m for divers of all levels. It’s home to many fish and other marine life; and Gozo Dive guides will lead you through the interconnecting Santa Marija Caves with its slashed-rock Z-for-Zorro swim through. And that’s just for starters.

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

If you’re dreaming of a trip to Gozo but some of the family prefer to stay on the surface, snorkelling is an option at many of the dive sites. Alternatively, in Xlendi, there’s a small sandy beach and two swimming areas with lifeguards for splashing and diving. You can hire pedalos and stand-up paddle boards, and it’s a great starting point for coastal walks. Even the smallest legs can follow the secret path to Karolina’s Cave, a hidden sea cave used by nuns to access the sea in privacy. Oh, and Xlendi has the best ice-cream in Malta!

Email: info@gozodive.com / Tel: +35621551301 / Web: www.gozodive.com

(And should you – however unlikely it seems – decide to put your fins to one side for an afternoon, reliable regular buses deliver you to Victoria, the island’s main town, in less than ten minutes. Or because this gemstone of an island is only pocket-sized, Uber and the local equivalents, can transport you wherever you want to go in mere moments!)

Take the plunge and book your Gozo adventure, for this year or next, today!

Contact Gozo Dive Now:

Email: info@gozodive.com

Tel: +35621551301

Web: www.gozodive.com