Santorini, Cyclades, Greece

Aspronisi

Aspronisi, the small uninhabited islet on the western edge of the Santorini caldera, offers some of the most dramatic wall diving in the Cyclades. The island's outer face drops in a near-vertical wall from the surface to well past 40 metres; recreational dives typically work the upper section between 8 and 35 metres. The white pumice substrate gives Aspronisi its name (literally 'White Island') and creates a striking contrast with the deep blue water and colourful sponge gardens. Sea fans of Eunicella cavolinii and yellow cluster anemones grow on the deeper overhangs, while the shallows host dense beds of seagrass. Resident fish life includes dusky grouper, brown meagre, Mediterranean moray, painted comber and large schools of damselfish; pelagic visitors include amberjack, bonito and, in late summer, the occasional barracuda school. Because Aspronisi sits exposed on the open caldera, currents can run moderately strong and the meltemi can render the site undivable in summer. The dive is best kept for advanced divers with drift-diving experience.