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Things to do · Watersports

Scuba diving in Santorini: volcanic reefs and a sunken wreck

A different way to experience the same volcano — underwater lava formations, caves and clear visibility.

4 min read Things to do

Santorini's underwater landscape is shaped by the same volcanic activity as everything above the waterline — dive sites here feature lava formations, underwater caves and canyons rather than the coral reefs divers might expect elsewhere in the Mediterranean.

What's down there

Several dive operators run trips from the island's marinas to sites featuring volcanic rock formations, swim-throughs and generally good visibility thanks to the lack of major rivers feeding sediment into the surrounding sea. A sunken shipwreck near Kammeni islet is one of the more popular dive sites for those already certified.

For beginners

Several operators offer introductory dives with no prior certification required, run as a supervised single dive rather than a full course — a reasonable way to try it during a single Santorini trip. Certified divers have considerably more site options, including some of the deeper volcanic formations.

Good to knowThe meltemi wind that affects boat tours (see our getting here guide) can also affect diving conditions in July and August — operators will reschedule around it, so build a little flexibility into your dates if diving matters to your trip.

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