Elephants Cave

Location: Chania, Region of Crete, Greece

Also known as: Cape Drepano Fossil Cave, Drepano Cave, Elephant Cave, Elephant Cave Chania, Elephas chaniensis Cave, The Elephant Cave Chania, Σπήλαιο Ελεφάντων, Σπήλαιο των Ελεφάντων

Added by: kargig

Dive Site Specs

Max depth:
15m
Difficulty:
Advanced Open Water
Entry type:
Boat Dive
Coordinates:
35.469056, 24.244910 (Directions on Google Maps)
Rating:
5.0/5 (3 reviews)
Tags:
Boat Dive, Cave, Tech, Shallow, Cavern, Marine Life, Photography

Overview

Access to the cave is done only via boat while its entrance lies 10 m under the surface of the sea. To reach the main hall of the cave, measuring 125 m long and about 25 m wide, one has to swim for about 40 m in an underwater tunnel of excellent visibility. The rich natural décor, visible around the main part of the cave, is sure enchanting. The roof is covered with dazzling stalactites of a reddish tint caused by high rates of aluminium and iron, while, in the water, there is a number of wonderful stalagmites, proof that its bottom has not been always under water. These facts along with a study of sediments prove that the cave was dry some thousands of years ago.

Access: By boat.

Marine life: Documented marine species observed at Elephants Cave include Mediterranean moray eels (Muraena helena), dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), bottlenose dolphins, Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus).

Safety: Dives should be planned in accordance with local marine weather and surface swell conditions. Deploy a surface marker buoy when ascending in open water away from coastal rock formations.

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