Chania Diving Center

Chania Diving Center is rooted in the deep exploration culture of Crete. Founded in 2012 by Nikolas Giannoulakis, the centre is built on a legacy of technical expertise, with its founder having participated in major international underwater expeditions, including those at Antikythera.

The centre operates from a base in Agios Onoufrios, with an additional information office located near the Old Harbour in Chania town. This allows for easy access to the diverse underwater topography of the region, ranging from sheltered reefs to deep-sea wrecks and complex cave systems.

The team is led by instructors with extensive experience in cave and technical diving. As an official partner of both SSI and GUE, the centre maintains high standards for both recreational and technical training programmes.

Safety and personal attention are the core operational principles here. You will dive in small groups, with a maximum of four divers per guide, ensuring that instruction remains precise and supervision remains constant regardless of your experience level.

The training catalogue is extensive, catering to the full spectrum of diver progression. Beginners can start with Try Scuba or Scuba Diver courses, progressing through Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to specialise, the centre offers various SSI and GUE pathways, including Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Nitrox courses. The technical curriculum is particularly robust, covering Extended Range, Hypoxic Diver, and various CCR (Rebreather) certifications, including Technical Extended Range Rebreather and Hypoxic Rebreather training.

Professional development is also a key focus, with courses available for Dive Master, Instructor Trainer, and Assistant Instructor levels. The centre also provides specialised training for Cave Diver, Full Cave Diver, and DPV Diver.

The centre operates a fleet of four specialised boats to reach the various dive sites around Chania. These vessels facilitate daily trips to locations such as Kalathas Bay, Souda Bay, Agios Onoufrios, and Marathi.

For technical divers, the boats are equipped to support more advanced profiles, with Nitrox and Trimix gases available on board to extend bottom times and manage decompression requirements.

The centre provides a full range of rental equipment for those not travelling with their own kit. This includes everything required for a complete dive profile, from regulators to exposure protection.

Technical divers can find specialised support for advanced training, including rebreather and dry suit diving. The facility is set up to support the specific needs of technical profiles, including the availability of Nitrox and Trimix.

The marine life around Chania is diverse, with many divers encountering Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and Moray eel (Muraenidae) among the rocky structures. You can also find various species of Wrasse (Labridae) and Sea bream (Sparidae) patrolling the reefs.

For those with an eye for detail, the macro life is a highlight. You may spot Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) or various crustaceans tucked into the crevices of the seabed.

The wider ecosystem includes sightings of Great barracuda, Parrotfish, Damselfish, Cuttlefish, and Sea urchins. In the calmer, shallower areas, sea stars are also frequently observed.

Diving in the Chania region is best experienced from May to October. During the summer months, the seas remain relatively calm, providing reliable conditions for boat trips.

Visibility is generally good, typically ranging between 15 and 30 metres depending on the specific site and seasonal conditions.