Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece

Thessaloniki Bay Wrecks

The Thermaikos Gulf, around the major northern Greek port of Thessaloniki, holds a number of small wrecks dating from the late Ottoman period through the Second World War, scattered across the soft-bottom plain at depths between 20 and 35 metres. Most are barge hulls, fishing vessels and miscellaneous small craft, accessed only through licensed local operators; some are formally classified as antiquities of war and require permits. Visibility in the gulf is more modest than the open Aegean because of city and river outflows, typically 6 to 12 metres, but the wrecks act as artificial reefs and concentrate marine life. Resident species include dusky grouper, Mediterranean moray, common octopus, scorpionfish, painted comber and small reef fish, with seasonal schools of bogue and salema. The northern Aegean cools earlier in autumn than the southern islands and water temperatures range from around 14 degrees Celsius in winter to 26 in late summer. The dive is best suited to experienced open-water divers comfortable with lower-visibility conditions.