Sounion, Attica, Greece

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion sits at the southern tip of the Attic peninsula, roughly 70 kilometres from central Athens, and is crowned by the 5th-century BC Temple of Poseidon, the Doric marble temple immortalised by Lord Byron. Diving is conducted on the rocky reefs and walls beneath the cape, where the substrate descends in steps from a shallow shelf at 6 to 8 metres to a sandy interface at around 28 metres. The waters of the cape sit within an underwater archaeological zone, and although diving is permitted, the entire area is monitored by the Greek Ministry of Culture and any artefact whatsoever must be left untouched and reported. Resident marine life along the walls includes dusky grouper, Mediterranean moray, common octopus, painted comber, ornate wrasse, scorpionfish and damselfish, with seasonal pelagic visits from amberjack and bonito. Currents off the cape can be moderate because of the exposed headland, and the meltemi wind from the north renders the site undivable on its windier days. Boat access is from Lavrio.