Blue Cave
Location: Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Also known as: Agia Pelagia Blue Cave, Agia Pelagia Blue Grotto, Blue Cave Heraklion, Μπλε Σπηλιά Αγία Πελαγία, Μπλε Σπηλιά Ηρακλείου
Dive Site Specs
- Max depth:
- 30m
- Difficulty:
- Advanced Open Water
- Entry type:
- Boat Dive
- Coordinates:
- 35.416674, 24.986945 (Directions on Google Maps)
- Rating:
- 4.0/5 (1 reviews)
- Tags:
- Cave, Boat Dive, Deep
Overview
In front of the cave, large rocks and a reef create a rich habitat for species like bream, jackfish, and snappers, along with colorful sponges. From April to June, lobsters are also commonly seen. As we approach the entrance, the surrounding wall is filled with small holes where torchlight reveals shells, shrimp, and other marine life. We enter the cave at around 12 meters. Inside, a spacious chamber opens up, with a ceiling that reaches the surface, allowing us to see waves above. The cave is full of vivid colors from its unique flora and fauna. At the far end, the space narrows, and a halocline forms where freshwater meets seawater, revealing stalactites and stalagmites above. For experienced (.) divers, a side passage leads through a short tunnel into a second chamber, where small openings offer dramatic views out into the deep blue sea.
Access: Boat Dive.
Marine life: Documented marine species observed at Blue Cave include dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), encrusting sponges and yellow cluster anemones (Parazoanthus axinellae), bottlenose dolphins.
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.
Nearby Dive Sites
- Mononaftis - Big Anchor (3.2 km away)
- Lygaria (4.6 km away)
- Messerschmitt Bf 109 Wreck, Hersonissos (37.9 km away)
- Byron I wreck (55.7 km away)
- Elephants Cave (67.5 km away)
- Marathi Canyon (73.5 km away)
Associated Diving Centers
- Diver's Club Crete (Gazi, Greece)
- Horizon Diving (Gouves, Greece)