A concentration of emotions awaits you just a few hours from home! More than just a simple Greek tourist destination, the charming port city of Epidaurus, immortalized by Dominique Barray’s snapshots, reveals an exceptional heritage. Its world-renowned ancient theater and the sanctuary of Asclepius, the cradle of ancient medicine, attract attention. But Epidaurus also holds hidden treasures, places of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle. And beneath the water’s surface, an incredible variety of dive sites awaits you, blending archaeology, underwater caves, wrecks, and turquoise waters, where native species and Lessepsian species coexist. A change of scene is guaranteed, just a few hours from your daily life.
An Underwater Paradise: Map of Dive Sites
The gulf of Epidaurus holds around forty dive sites, most of which are accessible and shallow, located just a few minutes by boat from the port.
The Avantis III: Immersion on a Living Wreck
Among the most popular sites, the wreck of the Avantis III, an 85-meter-long cargo ship, lies between 15 and 50 meters deep. Sunk only 12 years ago, it is already a flourishing artificial reef.
The History of the Avantis III
Built in 1977 in Norway, under the name Akershus, the cargo ship was renamed Avantis III in 1982 after its acquisition by Antonis Agrafiotis. On November 19, 2004, it left Messolonghi, loaded with construction materials and an engine, bound for Cyprus. But, at 3:45 a.m., the Avantis III hit the island of Dorousa and quickly sank despite favorable weather. Eleven of the twelve crew members were saved, only the cook perished.
Did you enjoy this excerpt?
Read the full article.
READING TIME ≈ 6 min
Dive into the heart of the PLONGEZ! Magazine
To enjoy this article and its exclusive content, a modest contribution is required.