SANTORINI SCUBA DIVING
Good santorini dive trips fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 5 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
At Santorini Scuba Academy, you’ll learn basic scuba skills through SSI’s Try Scuba program, practice with an instructor, then spend 35 to 40 minutes underwater above a volcanic reef. The three-hour session includes equipment and snacks, with transfers from a central location noted in the package details.
“Professional, knowledgeable people! The dive was great they helped a lot. The location isn’t the best.”
Start in Oia, ride to Amoudy Bay, then continue by boat to Armeni Bay for a beginner scuba session among volcanic lava formations. Your instructor covers equipment, hand signals, and safety before guiding you underwater to a depth of up to 12 meters.
“Best experience ever! The instructors make you feel very safe and go over everything with you. Don't be turned off if it's your first time, they take it very slow if you need. The will tailor to your level of experience. You can't pass this up! If you dont have an underwater camera, you can rent one and capture life long memories!! I'm so glad we did this!! Will do it again and again, it's that amazing!!”
At Caldera Beach in Akrotiri, instructors including Barak and Zoe teach you basic scuba skills before guiding you from shore to a nearby reef. Expect a small group, full equipment, about 35 minutes underwater, and a gentle first taste of Santorini beneath the surface.
“This was one of the most anticipated events of our honeymoon for me. I was extremely excited and confident yet when it came time to do it I have to admit I was terrified. Our instructor did a fantastic job at explaining everything and being clear with instructions but for some reason I was still scared when I had everything on and in the water. Luckily he took the time to instill confidence in me by taking baby steps with breathing, slowly descending to practice ear pressure control, and then learning the basics of underwater buoyancy. After doing this I was way more comfortable in just a matter of minutes…”
Start at Navy’s Waterworld Dive Center in Kamari at 9:00 am for a short video lesson, equipment fitting, safety practice, and your first underwater session. PADI professionals such as Robert and Lucas guide small groups of up to six from shore, with no boat required.
“Very professional. Robert takes time with everybody to make sure they are having fun, as well as, being safe and following the right habits. I’d highly recommend this activity. Still waiting on the pics that were promised. That said, the other one I went on charged you for them. That’s another reason this activity is worth your time!”
Meet Martha and the Atlantis Oia team at 9:00 AM, then ride from Oia to the port and out by speedboat for two guided scuba descents around Santorini’s Caldera and volcanic islands. Expect clear water, volcanic formations, cliffs, wrecks, and a small group capped at 10 people.
“Visibility in the Caldera was excellent but not much diversity of fish. Owner and wife(Martha) extremely hospitable to new and seasoned divers”
Pick a deck, a cellar or a lane.
