Scuba Diving

Skin diving preceded scuba diving, the former developing in the 1930s around Marseilles with the first production of watertight goggles, followed by snorkels, fins, and finally, in 1943, the air regulator linked with an air tank, invented by Jacques Cousteau.

Earlier than all that, sponge and pearl divers had been among the only deeper sea divers, with disastrous results among Greek sponge divers, who used primitive diving suits (later banned) which resulted in the crippling disease commonly known as 'the bends', caused by nitrogen bubbles in the joints during too-rapid ascent from the deeps.

The word scuba is actually an acronym: Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. An interesting fact of deep sea diving is that the air supplied by the tanks gets used up faster at lower depths because it is breathed at higher pressure.

A strict rule in diving, emphasized in training, is never to go down alone, as equipment can fail, and dizzy spells can occur. Modern technology has equipped modern divers with a computer worn on the wrist that regulates the time period for both descent and ascent so that they not suffer the fate of so many sponge divers.

Though diving is highly regulated in Greece due to the presence of archeologically significant underwater sites (including wrecked ships), with diving allowed in certain locations, Greece is a scuba diver's paradise because its climate allows for diving almost all year, and because there are so many wonderful diving spots that can be enjoyed with great visibility due to the clearness of the water.

All of the diving schools in Greece are set up in areas where scuba diving is legal

Mainland

• Attiki (Attica) between Vouliagmeni to Legrena
• he Halkidhiki peninsula southeast of Thessaloniki
• in Kalamata (Peloponnese)

The Greek islands

• Rhodos (Rhodes)
• Kerkyra (Corfu)
• Paxi
• Lefkadha
• Zakynthos/Zante
• Mykonos
• Skiathos

It is possible that more areas will be added, so it won't hurt to inquire should you want to dive in a certain area not on the list. Local port authorities and coast guard will be able to provide such information. Divers should be aware that it is illegal to drag any object of any kind out of the sea to take home with you, to use a spear gun in combination with your scuba diving equipment, or to dive at night.