Epidive

Epidive is situated in the heart of the small fishing village of Epidaurus, within the Peloponnese region of Greece. The centre sits directly on the harbour, placing you at the doorstep of local tavernas and the historic ancient theatre. It is a convenient base for divers, located two hours from Athens airport and less than an hour from Corinth.

The local waters are a blend of archaeological interest and diverse marine habitats. From the shallow, submerged ruins of the ancient city to deep offshore plateaus, the area offers a varied topography for all levels of experience.

The centre operates with a family-oriented atmosphere, focusing on immersive and educational diving experiences. As a PADI and FFESSM affiliated club, they maintain a structured approach to both recreational and professional training.

Instruction ranges from the youngest divers in the PADI Seal Team and Bubble Maker programmes to those pursuing professional careers through the PADI Dive Master and PADI Instructor courses. The team is dedicated to providing a safe and adventurous environment for every diver.

Epidive provides a comprehensive catalogue of PADI training. For beginners, they offer the PADI Open Water Diver course, while those looking to progress can undertake the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Deep Diver, and PADI Wreck Diver specialties.

For more experienced divers, the centre offers PADI Rescue Diver, PADI Dive Master, and the full PADI Instructor course. They also provide Enriched Air Nitrox training, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and specialised skills training such as Underwater Navigation, Search and Recovery, and Night diving.

The centre's main office is located next to the Hôtel Mike, facing the port. For practical use, there is a spacious secondary facility where you can kit up, featuring cabins, toilets, and showers to prepare for your dives.

Full kit hire is available for those not travelling with their own equipment. For those looking to explore the surface, paddleboards are also available for hire.

The Mediterranean habitats around Epidaurus are home to a wide array of fish. You will regularly encounter Lionfish (Pterois volitans), Triggerfish (Balistidae), Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), bonitos, and dorado. Larger pelagics such as Amberjack (Seriola) and bonitos are also part of the local ecosystem.

For those interested in macro life, the area is excellent for spotting Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) and various other colourful species. You can also find octopuses, Moray eel (Muraenidae), and several types of small, interesting invertebrates.

In the deeper or more open sections, look out for Southern stingray (Hypanus americanus), Atlantic lizardfish (Synodus saurus), and flying goatfish. Dolphins (Delphinidae) are also known to frequent the area, particularly when travelling towards Kyra island.

The Gulf of Epidaurus is known for having calm, lake-like sea conditions. Currents are generally low to non-existent in many of the sheltered coves, such as the sites used for Bubble Maker dives.

For more remote dives, such as the cave dives or the offshore plateaus, expect different conditions. The cave sites involve colder water and a lack of natural light, requiring proper buoyancy and navigation skills.