Diving…. Zakynthos’ Crystal Blue.

Many love swimming in the sea and a few of the beaches are set up for water sports too. Many aren’t aware however that the island is also a favourite destination for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving. There are so many dive sites that range from plunging wall dives showered in marine life to dark and mysterious cave dives, forcing you to navigate cracks and crevices with only a flashlight.

There are dive centers located around the Island which offer courses for all ages and many diving trips can take you to popular diving sites, group and private can be arranged, also.

Some of the Zakynthian diving sites include the Octopus and Barracuda Reefs in Keri Peninsula, Poseidon Cave a very special experience to dive, this place, apart from the cave and its two chambers, is in abundance with different things of interest like shrimps, crabs, lobsters and tube anemones, along with many different types of fish.

Other such dives are the Arch of Triumph, the Keri Caves and also the island of Marathonissi. The marine life is plentiful as Zakynthos boasts one of the most fertile areas for supporting a considerable amount of marine fauna and flora species. Several endangered or protected species such as the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta, the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus and other species of vertebrate and invertebrate species are also found. In fact the island now has at least seven schools and centres focusing on different areas of the island.

KERI BEACH

There are  two dive companies based in the Keri area, they are:

Keri turtle beach diving center

Nero divers in Keri

LAGANAS/PORTO LIMIONAS

There are three dive companies based in the Laganas/PortoLimionas area, they are:

Divers Paradise in Laganas

Euro Divers in Laganas

Islanders Diving Center (who have a shop in Laganas but dive at Porto Limnionas).

DAFNI

There is one dive company at Dafni Beach – Wild Fun Dive

VASILIKOS

There is one dive company at St Nickolas, Vasilikos.

TSILIVI

There is one dive company in Tsilivi – Coastal Diving Center

So if you want to do something a bit different on holiday, that will allow you to view the exciting world under the Ionian sea, and get up close to Zakynthos’ wildlife in their natural habitat, then get in touch with a dive centre nearby.

Article written by Louise Inzk, Contribution by Chrissie Parker freelance writer and blogger

With special thanks to Mike at Turtle beach Dive Centre and Kostas at Islanders Dive Centre.

Photos:- Louise Inzk, Lyall O’Neill, Mike Gallatley and Public Domain