Crete · SCUBA DIVING
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 dive trips worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
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”
From Chania, ride to Almyrida for a gentle first scuba session. You’ll get a 25-minute lesson, close instructor support, full gear and insurance, then explore to 8 meters with a PADI team. Guides may include Lizzy, Freya, Marina, or David, and photos arrive free by email.
“The whole experience was amazing. The instructions where given in a super clear way. The instructions were super friendly and nice. I would definitely do it again!”
Spend three hours learning scuba basics near Almyrida, then explore up to 8 meters underwater with a PADI instructor. Small groups, a one-to-two instructor ratio, hotel transfers around Chania, full equipment, and free underwater photos make this a gentle first step.
“This was an excellent excursion! I've never been scuba diving before and the team went over everything I needed to know, answered all of my questions, and got me outfitted in all the gear and made sure it fit well. Once we went on the dive they were there every step of the way, assisting with the dive itself and showing us cool underwater life (we saw three lionfish and got to hold a sea urchin!). This was a fantastic way to experience scuba diving for the first time, and now I want to sign up for a real certification course!”
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…”
From Chania, you’ll take a boat to the Blue Cave and a second open-water site. Certified guides such as Basil, Jared, Andreas, and Nikolas lead first-time scuba guests to 9 to 10 meters, while snorkelers enjoy the same trip. Equipment, insurance, snacks, and underwater photos are included.
“Dimitri and Kostas were excellent guides. They were really fun and made sure we were safe and had the right sized equipment for our snorkeling and scuba diving. The company communicated very well with us before on where to be picked up and dropped off at. We came in on a cruise ship and had no issues with finding them. We had a great time!”
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!!”
Start at Dive2gether Crete in Plakias at 8:30 am for a private PADI Discover Scuba session. After a safety briefing and basic skills practice, your instructor guides you through the clear Mediterranean waters near Skinaria, Plakias, or Souda Beach. Equipment, transport, and water are included.
“Had an amazing time! Such beautifull scenary and super nice staff, I had Bart as my instructor and he was lovely and very thorough and kind. Lunch at the tavern next to the beach costs around 6-10 eur, we don’t recommend neither the carbonara or the bolognese but the sallads and the omelets looked good but that is besides the point. After the dive you can purchase your pictures they take and those costs 19eur but in my opinion worth the prize. when we where there they offered a little discount if you paid in cash which is a plus.”
Spend about five hours with Salty Descents near Chania, learning scuba basics, practicing skills, and completing two 45-minute shore sessions. Your package includes equipment, insurance, SSI digital materials, Basic Diver certification, snacks, and shared pickup from much of the Chania region.
“Was a great experience!! Great weather, nice spots and very good diving and snorkeling teachers! They are very motivated and they really like what they do. As well this school/company really takes their work and their responsibility very serious. So you can be sure that they teach you every important information. If you want to learn how to dive in Crete, Go there!!”
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!”
Learn basic scuba skills in a theory class and pool or shallow-water session, then join an instructor for a 3 to 6 meter Mediterranean swim. Artur, Stan, Sebastian, and Pedros are named instructors associated with the experience. Equipment is included, and hotel departure points vary by area.
“Stan the PADI Pro was excellent. Clear and confident. The dive site was really great, the water was really clear with lots of lovely fish!”
Meet Kefi Divers in Almyrida for one or two guided shore sessions with a certified PADI instructor. You’ll use supplied equipment in warm summer water and may see octopus, lionfish, moray eels, barracuda, and sea turtles. Guide Matt has also helped returning certified divers refresh their skills.
“I went on 2 shore dives with my dad! Matt was our dive guide and I can’t say enough good things about him and the experience as a whole. It had been over a year since my last dive and Matt was excellent at giving a little refresher course on setting up the equipment. The dive site was beautiful with a lot of marine life to see. 10/10 experience.”
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!”
Pick a coast, a gorge or a kitchen.
