One of the biggest diving events in Greece in recent years is undoubtedly the opening of the first underwater museum in Peristera, Alonissos. The museum houses a shipwreck of the classical period which, apart from being an impressive dive site, as it includes about 4,000 amphorae, is also a very important historical find. This is because until its discovery historians believed that the ancient Greeks had not developed shipbuilding to build vessels of this capacity.

To dive into the wreck you have to choose one of the diving centers in the area that have been licensed and have trained divers, due to the peculiarities of the archeological site. The dive is aimed at AOW divers and you may be asked to take a test dive before entering the archeological site to make sure that in addition to being a certified diver, you can master your buoyancy, so that there is no damage to the site.

The shipwreck is located on the island of Peristera opposite Steni Vala in Alonissos. The diving boat will moor in the permanent anchorages set for the needs of the museum and you will dive accompanied by a diving professional.

THE COAST

ENTRY TO THE SEA

THE DIVE

After you complete your pre-diving checks and leave the surface, after a few meters the impressive volume of the wreck will start to appear, measuring 30m x 10m. In the test dive we participated in, we were only allowed to approach the perimeter of the wreck and not to float over it, so that there would be no damage in case of loss of buoyancy. We consider this measure correct and we hope that it will continue to be applied.

As in all areas where fishing restrictions apply, marine life here is richer. You have enough time to explore the shipwreck, read all the signs of the museum and see the different amphorae that exist in the area. When the time comes to resurface, do not forget to make the safety stop at 5 meters and follow your guide’s instructions for the correct exit point. Do not forget that several diving boats can approach the spot.

PS: In Steni Vala there is an information center where you can find out more about the Shipwreck, but also about other similar areas of the Mediterranean that are part of the “Blue Med” program. It is worth a visit as you can realize a virtual reality “dive”.

PS2: The location of the shipwreck has been given approximately, access to the site without a diving center instructor is prohibited.