Blue Nomads

Blue Nomads, formerly known as Extreme Divers, has been a fixture of the local diving community since 1987. Based in Ilioupoli, a southern suburb of Athens, the centre is positioned just 30 km from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport and a short distance from the city centre.

From this base, the centre organises excursions along the Athenian Riviera and towards the neighbouring islands. Whether you are looking for a day trip to explore local reefs or a more structured diving holiday, the centre provides the logistics and expertise to reach the best sites in the region.

The team is led by Vaggelis Pritsis, a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, alongside George, a skipper and freediving instructor. The professional staff includes Course Director John Abd Elmeseh and PADI OWSI Danae. Every crew member is a certified PADI instructor and first aid provider, ensuring a high standard of safety and guidance on every trip.

The centre is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre (IDC), meaning they are qualified to train the next generation of dive professionals. They offer instruction in English, Greek, and Arabic, making them a versatile choice for international divers looking to progress through the professional ranks.

Blue Nomads offers a vast catalogue of PADI and IANTD courses catering to every stage of a diver's journey. Beginners can start with the Discover Scuba Diving programme or work through the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. They also cater to younger divers through the Bubble Maker Program and various PADI Junior programmes.

For those looking to specialise, the centre provides training in Night Diver, Dry Suit Diver, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Underwater Navigator specialties. They also offer Peak Performance Buoyancy and Search & Recovery courses.

Technical training is a core strength of the centre, with a range of courses including TEC40, TEC45, TEC50, TEC65, and TEC Trimix. As an IDC, they are also equipped to take students through the Divemaster and Instructor training programmes.

The centre operates an 11.8-metre semi-rigid vessel, one of the largest of its kind in the Athens area. This boat is fully equipped to meet modern safety regulations and is used for both diving excursions and private trips for snorkeling or swimming.

On board, you will find essential amenities for a day on the water, including life jackets and safety equipment. The vessel is capable of reaching the islands and the various wreck and cave sites that define the Aegean coastline.

For those requiring kit, the centre provides a full range of rental equipment. They also stock high-quality brands for purchase, including Mares, Apeks, Aqualung, OMS, and Scubapro.

The technical facilities include a BAUER VERTICUS III compressor equipped with Securus. This allows for reliable gas blending on-site, with Nitrox and Trimix available for divers requiring specific gas mixes. For training purposes, the centre also has access to a heated swimming pool.

The marine life around the Athenian Riviera and the nearby islands is diverse. In the reef and cave environments, you can expect to encounter octopus, various fish species, sea urchins, and worms.

Macro life enthusiasts will find interest in the smaller inhabitants of the seabed, including various species of worms and small crustaceans that frequent the reef structures and crevices.

Diving in this region involves a variety of environments, from shallow reef flats to deeper wrecks and cave systems. The availability of Nitrox and Trimix allows for extended bottom times on deeper sites or more controlled profiles for technical dives.