DIVE SITES

RED COMPLEX
4.5 miles from Kapsali. Protected at all times. Depths from -6 to -28. Currents nonexistent inside the bay and rarely weak current after the end of the peninsula, flowing from west to east but also vice versa. Cluster of impressive and rare formations on the rock. Huge arches and comfortable passages, anchors of many years and the entire route within the cluster adorned with purple, yellow, green, and mainly red sponges that gave the name to the site. Vertical wall for a few meters with openings resembling large round windows. Many small orange corals, very healthy, and naturally spiral shells in several shades. Many invertebrates with curious colors throughout the route. Admiring all these, one does not realize that they have passed under the small promontory and completes the exploration in a hospitable protected embrace. There, there are always friendly parrotfish, trumpetfish, small scorpionfish, while sometimes at the edge of the cape, there are schools of various other fish.
 
 
HYTRA ROCK ISLAND
3 miles from Kapsali. Protected from all weather except the West. Depths -6 to -40. Currents nonexistent inside the cave, rarely weak currents outside the cape flowing from west to east. Underwater exploration of a huge open cave that is beautiful even from the surface. The rocky islet of Xytra hosts seagulls, falcons, and cormorants and produces the rare plant sempreviva. Huge underwater stalactites ready to touch the bottom welcome the diver. The rocks at the bottom are all naturally painted red, purple, green. A wall makes the journey drop off into deeper depths next to a wall covered with flora, while we end up admiring the walls of the cave at depths of 8 to 6 meters with incredible colors from sponges and small healthy orange corals. A small double-door cave reserves the most beautiful surprise as it is filled with thousands of shrimp with shiny eyes that remain unforgettable to the visitor. If we are lucky and careful, (discreet, that is), we may encounter one or two seals that live in the cave but are very shy.
JU-52
2 miles west of Kapsali. Depth 35 meters. Completely exposed to western winds. Currents rare and weak. This is a German transport aircraft Junkers 52 from World War II that sank during the war. There is eyewitness testimony that saw 18 German soldiers coming out alive, thanks to whom we found the plane. 2 out of 3 engines and the tail section are in good condition, while the tail section is in poor condition. Local reports say that the third engine was lifted and sent to Athens. The Junkers Ju 52 is an aircraft of the German company Junkers in Dessau. It was manufactured from 1931 to 1945 (when its production facilities were destroyed). Its capacity is 15 passengers (+2). During the Second World War, most aircraft were seized for military use, while production continued also for military use.
RED CANYON
4.5 miles from Kapsali. Depths from -6 to -32 meters. Protected from all weather. Currents very rare, weak, and parallel to the shore. It is a beautiful canyon formed parallel to the coast and a vertical cave with an open roof. All walls are colored by sponges and small corals in shades of red, purple, orange, but also with touches of yellow. The entire route is on an almost vertical wall. Many small fish, but also many times we encounter much larger ones.
ANCHORS REEF
Inside the bay of Kapsali, an underwater reef with 6 huge anchors and rich marine life. Under the shadow of the Venetian castle that was anchorage for very large sailing ships many years ago. Nonexistent currents and easy dive in the first part around the reef up to 18 meters. The second part where the very large anchors are located is deeper and only for experienced divers reaches 45 meters.
NORDLAND SHIPWRECK
12.5 miles from Kapsali. Depths from -3.5 to -29 meters. Not protected from all weather. Good weather conditions are required. Moderately intense currents are often encountered along the ship. The ship under the flag of St. Vincent "NORDLAND" had sailed from the port of Piraeus loaded with PERLITE destined for Belgium. The weather conditions in the area were good (4 BF). It ran aground on 29-8-2000 in the sea area south of the islet of Makronisos, Kythira, with a crew of 14 (3 Poles, 4 Croats, and 7 Kiribati). Rumors say that the crew, were drunk, and the ship did not change course at all, going over the islet ………. Then it slid and "sat" on the bottom, remaining half out of the water as its stern sank to 29 meters. Efforts to salvage it were fruitless. Meanwhile, the wreck gave a different touch to Diakofti and is now its trademark. Underwater, the sunken hull collected countless microorganisms, colorful invertebrates, and of course, many fish. We usually encounter thousands of damselfish, but also fewer sea breams, groupers, and rarely tunas. In short, it was transformed into a wonderful metal reef full of marine life.
GROTTE OUVERTE
1.5 miles from Kapsali. Depths from -3 to -18m. Sheltered dive site not affected by inclement weather. Currents nonexistent. Relaxed dive where one can visit two easily accessible, beautiful, safe caves and a shallow water passage among spectacular rock formations. One of the caves has a hollow ceiling (hence the name '' hollow cave '') while the other is at the end of a narrow inlet and has fresh ice cold water.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
7 nautical miles from Kapsali east of Kythera. Depths -7 to -60 meters. Almost always strong currents. Rich aquatic life with fish rare for the Mediterranean! At this point manta rays, sunfish and even a blow whale have appeared! Recommended only for very experienced and trained divers.
TATI'S REEF
At a distance of 3n.miles from Kapsali. This is a beautiful reef that forms abruptly into a wall vertical on one side and stepped on the other. It starts from half a meter and reaches 25 meters. Currents non-existent and usually has abundant aquatic life. Ideal diving for all levels of divers.
KORNAROS REEF
5 miles from Kapsali. Exposed to North and East winds. Depths from -7 to -26 meters. Currents quite frequent and strong. It is a reef that starts at 7 meters rich in aquatic life with all species of the area. A huge anchor over many years old located on the northern slope of the reef also gave it its name. Its configuration gives us the opportunity to enjoy a small wall but also softer slopes up to 26 meters. The main feature is the many fish.
THE CATHEDRAL
2 miles from Kapsali. Depths up to -16m. Fully exposed to westerly winds,. Currents non-existent. It is a huge shallow open cave reminiscent of the cathedral of a temple. Rocks emerging from the bottom break the monotony and form a path easy simple and different.
NARROW GROOVES
4 miles from Kapsali. Depths from -2 to -18 meters. Fairly pre-paged from almost all times. Currents non-existent. Relaxed diving in shallow depths, It is a tour of small and large openings in the rocks which are completely open from above. Green sponges decorate the recesses and several small fish keep us company. Ideal spot for a combination of diving and swimming on a beautiful secluded beach. Of particular interest is the exploration of a secret smaller beach whose entrance is very well hidden and is only accessible underwater