Diving Greece
The islands of Corfu, Zakynthos, and Crete offer the best diving possibilities, and all three have rocky coves and bays, boulder-strewn reefs, caves, caverns, and swim-throughs. Zakynthos is well known as a breeding ground for green turtles, but if you are staying on the island, give these creatures a break and leave them be while they haul themselves out to nest. Crete has several amphora fields and some good wrecks.
Diving is permitted in most coastal areas except for those prohibited by law due to military installations or as a means of protecting archaeological resources. The protection of archaeological sites is a touchy subject in Greece and any discovery of ancient remains in the course of diving must be immediately reported to the nearest office of the Hellenic Ports Authority.
Best time to dive
Depending on the area, Greece offers almost year-round diving.
Visibility
Visibility averages 50 to 100 feet.
Water temperatures
Water temperature ranges from 77 F in summer to 53 F in the winter.
Weather and climate
May to June and from September through October, temperatures are mild and normally average 68 to 77 F. From June to September the weather is hot, getting into the 90s F. In the winter months, temperatures are often below 50 F. Greece has little rain year-round.
Language
Greek
Passport/Visa requirements
U.S., Australians, UK, and Canadian citizens require a passport valid for at least three months after the end of their stay. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months, but a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds are advisable. The border countries of Greece, such as Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Spain (all of the countries that make up the Schengen region) are issued a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all countries. Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice so be sure to check prior to traveling to Greece.
Currency
Euro – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Converters or transformers are required for U.S. electronics.
Capital
Athens
General information
Greece lies at the southern extremity of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. To the north, it has borders with Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria, and to the east it borders Turkey. The mainland of Greece is surrounded by more than 1,400 islands, of which 169 are inhabited. The islands are divided into six groups: the Cyclades, the Ionians, the Dodecanese, the islands of the Northeastern Aegean, the Sporades and the Saronic Gulf islands. Crete and Evia, the two largest islands, do not belong to any group.
Greece offers excellent nightlife with discos and clubs. The nightlife doesn’t begin until 10 or 11 PM, and it doesn’t end until the sun comes up. Every corner of every street has its own bar and cafe. Greece has a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from traditional eateries to world-class gourmet restaurants. Avoid the tourist traps and to eat in taverns frequented by Greeks.
Map
Get a map of Greece from WorldAtlas.com.