Crete Shore Dives at Myrthianos Plakias: Two Immersive Dives with 30m Visibility

Scuba · Myrthianos Plakias

Seven Days of Fun Diving • 14 Dives (Second Day)

Two shore dives off Myrthianos Plakias highlight Crete’s dramatic drop-offs, gorges, and clear 30m visibility. Small groups and focused guides make this eight-hour day an inviting option for certified divers who want variety and attentive instruction.

View experience
Duration8 hours
LocationMyrthianos Plakias, Massachusetts
OperatorDive2gether Crete
Price shownCheck dates

Adventure brief

Seven Days of Fun Diving • 14 Dives (Second Day)

Two shore dives off Myrthianos Plakias highlight Crete’s dramatic drop-offs, gorges, and clear 30m visibility. Small groups and focused guides make this eight-hour day an inviting option for certified divers who want variety and attentive instruction.

On the south coast of Crete, at Myrthianos Plakias, Seven Days of Fun Diving • 14 Dives (Second Day) delivers two shore dives that showcase the island’s dramatic underwater topography. In a small-group format limited to six guests, this eight-hour day concentrates on calm seas, expansive 30‑meter visibility and a coastline carved by steep drop-offs, gorges and sculpted rocky formations. You begin at the Dive2gether Crete meeting point where staff fit gear, offer coffee and brief you on the day’s plan.

After a short transport to a nearby beach with free parking, your guide leads a safety briefing and you assemble your kit for a 45–60 minute dive down rocky walls and through channels where light filters into pockets of life. Surface interval is spent at a beachfront taverna: lunch is not included but the local fare and sea views make for a restorative break before the second immersion. The afternoon dive explores a different sector — another reef edge, a sandy basin below a cliff, or a narrow gorge — and ends back at the center for gear wash and optional photos taken by your guide.

What makes these dives special is the combination of accessibility and variety. Sites here present abrupt drop‑offs and complex rock architecture rather than broad sandy plains; that geology concentrates fish life and creates dramatic swim‑throughs and sightlines. Expect to encounter colorful reef fish, encrusting sponges on limestone outcrops, and the possibility of larger visitors at range thanks to the clear water.

With just six divers per group, the pace is deliberate and focused on safety, making it a strong choice for certified divers aged 10 and up who prefer close attention from guides. Practical details: bring your certification and logbook, and plan to self-drive or join provided transport when needed. Full equipment rental and dive-computer upgrades are available; photographers can buy the guide’s photo set.

Note medical screening and pregnancy restrictions apply — scuba certification and a reasonable fitness level are required. This offering sits within the greater Plakias coastline experience: the southern Cretan shore is historic fishing ground and modern dive corridor, with family tavernas serving fresh fish steps from where guides rinse gear. For travelers seeking structured shore dives, clear visibility, and the feel of exploring cretan rockscapes from a friendly, small operation, this second-day dive is an efficient and memorable slice of Crete’s underwater world.

The price includes air and weights; transport to the beach is provided when requested. Guides can sell the full photo set for 20 € and offer in-person upgrades from shore to boat dives subject to availability. Space is limited to six divers, so book early; arrive ten minutes early to check in with QR code.

Adventure tips

Plan your experience.

Curated tips for an optimal adventure.

  1. 01
    Bring your certification and logbook

    You must present a valid scuba certification and logbook at check-in; scans or digital copies are accepted.

    essential
  2. 02
    Sun protection for surface intervals

    Tavernas are exposed; pack sunscreen, a hat and water for long surface breaks between dives.

    info
  3. 03
    Complete the medical questionnaire honestly

    Diving requires medical clearance; disclose any conditions in advance to avoid denied dives on arrival.

    essential
  4. 04
    Book early for small-group spots

    Groups cap at six divers—reserve well before peak season to secure your preferred date and gear sizes.

    warning
DifficultyModerate
Duration8 hours
FitnessGood general fitness required: able to carry gear, surface swim and perform basic underwater maneuvers.
Technical skillsOpen Water scuba certification, Basic buoyancy control

Recommended gear

What to bring.

01

Certification card & logbook

Proof of training is mandatory and logbook pages help guide the dive profile.

Essential
02

Mask, fins and snorkel

Comfortable, well-fitted basics improve air consumption and underwater visibility.

Essential
03

Wetsuit (shorty or 3–5mm)

A wetsuit keeps you comfortable in variable water temperatures off southern Crete.

springEssential
04

Sunscreen and wide-brim hat

Protect skin during surface intervals and when sitting at beach tavernas.

summer

Local insights

Context for the journey.

Hidden gems

Nearby secrets

Preveli Beach and river mouth for a post-dive excursion, Kourtaliotiko Gorge viewpoints inland for dramatic coastal panoramas

Wildlife

Local fauna

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Mediterranean monk seal (occasionally in remote coves)

History

Historic heritage

The southern Cretan coast around Plakias has long been a fishing and seafaring region; local tavernas still serve catch landed that morning.

Conservation

Mindful exploration

Respect Posidonia meadows and follow a strict no-touch policy; avoid kicking the reef and dispose of trash onshore to protect dive sites.

Photography tips

Capture the moments

Viewpoints
Entry point cliff above the beach for site overview, From the surface near the drop-off to capture divers over the reef, Taverna terrace for post-dive portraits with the sea behind
Subjects
Underwater rock formations and swim-throughs, Reef fish and encrusting sponges, Diver profiles with clear visibility
Best times
Midday for underwater light penetration, Morning for calm seas and soft surface light, Late afternoon onshore for warm taverna views

Frequently asked questions

Before you go.

Do I need a scuba certification?

Yes. All participants must hold a valid scuba certification; dive centers will check your card at check-in.

What’s included in the day?

Air and weights are included; transport to the beach can be provided if requested. Lunch and guide photos are not included by default.

How long are the dives?

Each dive typically lasts 45–60 minutes depending on air consumption and site conditions.

Can I upgrade to a boat dive?

Yes, upgrades from shore to boat dives can be arranged in person at the dive center subject to availability and extra cost.

Are there age restrictions?

Minimum age is 10; the activity is suitable up to age 75 provided medical screening clears the participant.

How much do guide photos cost?

The full set of pictures taken by your guide can be purchased for 20 €.

Dive2gether Crete

Crete Shore Dives at Myrthianos Plakias: Two Immersive Dives with 30m Visibility