Crete · SCUBA DIVING IN HERAKLION
Every trip has one free day too few. These 9 scuba diving trips in Heraklion justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
At Mononaftis Beach near Agia Pelagia, Aquadive gives beginners a 30-minute theory lesson, full scuba gear, and a supervised 45-minute underwater session. Your instructor stays close as you learn basic signals and explore fish, sea urchins, and rock formations in clear, shallow water.
“Great introduction to scuba diving for beginners. Amazing location and well worth the money.”
Learn scuba basics with Petros and the CRETANDIVERS team, then take a supervised open-water session in Agia Pelagia Bay. You will practice slowly, use a full equipment set, and reach up to six meters with an instructor nearby. Small groups, several languages, and optional underwater footage make this a friendly first try.
“Can't recommend this enough. Petros and his team were super friendly, welcoming and very accommodating. The diving it's self was incredible and we felt safe and looked after at all times. I struggled with some of the basics at first but the team were brilliant at looking after me and helping me master the basics without me holding up the rest of the group. Scuba diving is an amazing experience and this beginners course with this team is the perfect way to get started or just get a taster. Thank you Petros & co for an incredible day.”
At Ligaria Bay, you get 45 minutes of instruction and about 45 minutes underwater with a licensed instructor. Learn breathing, hand signals, and equipment use, then look for fish at up to roughly 7 to 9 metres. Pickup is available from Heraklion and nearby resorts.
“The scuba instructor was so lovely! I was really nervous and he calmed me down and tried to help me. Afterwards we even tried snorkeling ❤️ beautiful place and people”
Start with hotel pickup and a clear safety lesson from Horizon Diving, then learn breathing and equalization in shallow water before heading farther out. Patient instructors such as Yiannis, Chris, and Sarah adjust the pace to your confidence. Expect fish, sea urchins, and possibly an octopus.
“We were so lucky to find this experience during our trip to Crete. We had the owner of the company as our guide and he and the whole experience were nothing short of INCREDIBLE! As we are not certified and it was our first time diving, he spent time making sure we understood all of the techniques, equipment, hand signals, etc. and helped us every step of the way making sure that we were ok and reminding us to practice the right breathing techniques so that we could have the best possible experience. We were able to see a lot of fish - even some barracudas! Overall we are so…”
Meet Horizon Diving at Mononaftis Beach or arrange nearby hotel pickup for a four to five-hour beginner scuba session. You learn basic skills in shallow water, then explore with an instructor such as Chris, also known as Kris, in a group of no more than eight.
“A fantastic experience. Really knowledgeable and friendly instructors who looked after us throughout and made it an amazing day. Would definitely highly recommend.”
At Agia Pelagia Beach, you’ll learn basic scuba skills, underwater signals, and breathing with equipment supplied by AQUADIVE. A personal instructor guides your 45-minute session, where you may see small fish, octopus, moray eels, and other local sea life.
“Wonderful experience! It was my first time ever scuba diving and they made the entire experience easy!!”
Meet at Ligaria Beach for a gentle introduction to scuba. A licensed instructor explains equipment, breathing, movement, hand signals, and local sea life before 45 minutes in the water. The small group size, beach entry, and supportive teaching make this a practical first underwater experience.
“Great beginner dive, lovely people, very safe. It’s a slow entry from the beach so no sudden water. You get quickly accustomed to breathing underwater there. Vielen Dank Dimitri, ich wird dich sehen in die Maledive!”
Spend six hours with CRETANDIVERS near Heraklion, learning scuba basics before a guided sea session at Agia Pelagia Beach. PADI instructors stay with you throughout, keep beginners within six meters, and capture HD footage. Pickup is available, and the group is limited to eight people.
“Amazing experience for our first time diving! Perfect conditions! Petro the instructor was amazing, spoke very good english and other languages! Explained everything clearly and was easy to understand! All equipment provided, good facilities and provided water while waiting! A very personalised experience in a small group of 4. Photos and videos taken which can be directly transferred to your phone. Pick up and drop off provided if requested! Petro was very kind to us! A experience we thoroughly enjoyed! Thank you!”
At Agia Pelagia, AQUADIVE teaches you to swim with a mermaid tail and integrated monofin before taking you into clear coastal water for a 45-minute snorkeling session. You need strong swimming skills. The group has no more than three people, with instruction in six languages and optional hotel pickup.
“When I saw this activity on the search, my jaw fell off! This is my all time childhood dream and the fact this was open to adults was amazing to me! Unreal experience, don’t hesitate because you think you’re too old, we didn’t and other adults were jealous! The instructors are amazing and prepare you very well making sure your safety is ensured. The sea we were diving in was crystal clear and they also took loads of amazing photos and videos which you can purchase at the end (you bet we did!) 100% would return :)”
Pick a coast, a gorge or a kitchen.
