Athens: Adventure Dives in Nea Makri for Certified Divers

The best part of this Nea Makri outing is the range of underwater places you can reach from Athens: wrecks, steep walls, caverns, and rocky slopes. You can stay near shore in calm water or head out by private inflatable boat toward Platourada Island, Dipsa Island, and Marathon Cape.

I like the small group of no more than seven and the careful guidance from an experienced instructor. I also like the practical extras: gear, boat costs, DAN insurance, refreshments, and photos or video are included. The main drawback is the distance from central Athens. The trip takes about 45 minutes by car, and getting there by bus can be awkward.

Key points to know before booking

• Reachable from Athens: Nea Makri is about 45 minutes from central Athens by car.
• Three boat destinations: The private inflatable boat heads toward Platourada Island, Dipsa Island, or Marathon Cape.
• Choice of setting: You can request a calmer near-shore outing or a more adventurous open-water location.
• Small instruction group: A maximum of seven participants makes it easier to get personal help.
• Useful inclusions: Scuba gear, boat costs, DAN insurance, water, snacks, and activity photos or video are covered.
• Strong guide support: Dimitri leads the underwater work, while Maria has helped with transport and local stories. French support is available.

Why Nea Makri works for an Athens scuba day

Nea Makri gives you a change of pace from Athens without requiring a long trip to an island. The town sits on the coast northeast of the city, and the southern Evoikos Gulf offers several kinds of underwater terrain within roughly six miles of Schinias Bay.

That variety matters. If you want a gentle first outing in calm water, you can choose a more relaxed location. If you already have solid experience and want something more dramatic, the area also has steep walls, caverns, slopes, and wrecks. The exact site is not fixed in advance, so you should ask the team which location best fits your certification and comfort level.

The water is described as warm, with good visibility and plenty of marine life. You might see octopus and eels, as one recent outing did, though wildlife is never guaranteed. The rocky formations are another reason to come. This is not simply a quick swim over a sandy bottom.

Meeting at Frinis 20 and getting ready

Your starting point is the local partner’s scuba center at Frinis 20 in Nea Makri. If you are staying at a hotel in Nea Makri, free pickup is available, but you must request it ahead of time and make contact before the day of the activity.

The meeting process is practical. You complete the health questionnaire, show proof of scuba certification, and receive help with the equipment. An instructor then gives a safety briefing lasting about 30 minutes. That briefing is important because the trip can include different sites, from sheltered coastal water to open-water locations reached by boat.

All essential scuba equipment is supplied. You only need to bring a swimsuit and towel. Water, juice or tea, biscuits or fruit, and other refreshments are provided, so you do not need to pack a full beach picnic.

The group limit is seven people. That is a useful size for a technical activity. You are not left trying to follow a guide at the far end of a large crowd, and the instructor has a better chance of checking your comfort and equipment before you enter the water.

The boat from Schinias Bay

After preparation at the center, you head to Schinias Bay, where the private inflatable boat is kept. The boat ride to the selected site takes up to about 25 minutes, with the destinations located within roughly six miles of the bay.

The ride is part of the appeal, but it also affects the feel of the day. You are not stepping straight from an Athens hotel into the water. You need time for the drive to Nea Makri, equipment preparation, the briefing, and the transfer to Schinias Bay.

Maria has helped with transport on some outings and shared local anecdotes along the way. Dimitri has guided the underwater portion and can assist in French when needed. The team offers instruction in English and French, which is especially helpful when discussing equipment, hand signals, or health concerns.

The inflatable boat gives the group access to open-water locations that would be difficult to reach from land. At the same time, the boat option may not suit anyone who is uncomfortable with a small craft or who prefers to keep the day very simple. If that is you, ask about a near-shore option before confirming the plan.

What you may find around the three locations

The advertised boat area includes Platourada Island, Dipsa Island, and Marathon Cape. These names are useful because they show the outing is not tied to one single underwater route.

Platourada and Dipsa offer island-based settings, where rocky formations, slopes, and walls may shape the route. Marathon Cape adds a headland setting. Depending on the selected location, your underwater time may focus on rock formations, a cavern, a wall, or a wreck.

The experience does not promise one specific animal, wreck, or cavern on every outing. That is worth understanding before you book. The setting is varied, but the instructor chooses the exact place based on the plan for the day. Ask what is being considered when you meet, particularly if you have a strong preference for wrecks or caverns.

For marine life, keep your expectations sensible. An octopus or eel is possible, and the area is known for good visibility and active sea life, but no guide can promise a particular sighting. The pleasure here comes from combining clear, warm water with varied rock formations and the chance of seeing animals in their natural setting.

One 2023 outing used a calm coastal location and offered a pretty setting, but not much to see underwater. That is a useful warning. Calm water can make for an easy and pleasant session, but it may not deliver the dramatic scenery that experienced participants hope for. If underwater features matter more to you than the gentlest conditions, say so early.

The three-hour underwater session

The planned scuba portion lasts about three hours, though the full activity can take from three to six hours depending on the start time, site, and schedule. That longer window allows room for preparation, boat travel, time in the water, and the break between sessions.

The instructor guides you through the necessary preparations and remains responsible for the group during the underwater activity. Your job is to follow the safety instructions, monitor your own comfort, and communicate clearly if something feels wrong.

You go at your own pace within the group plan. That does not mean wandering off independently. It means the outing is designed for a small number of certified participants rather than a large, rushed group moving on a strict sightseeing schedule.

The range of possible locations makes this a better fit for certified scuba participants than for people seeking a casual snorkeling trip. You need valid proof of certification, and you should be comfortable using standard scuba equipment. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and unaccompanied minors cannot take part.

The surface break and what is included

There is about a 90-minute surface interval between the underwater sessions. Water, juice or tea, biscuits, fruit, and other refreshments are included.

That long break is more than a snack stop. It gives you time to rest, discuss the first session with the instructor, and prepare for the next part of the outing. If you are not used to spending several hours around boats and scuba equipment, the pause helps keep the day from feeling rushed.

Photos or video of the activity are also included. This is a useful touch, since taking your own camera can complicate equipment and buoyancy. The pictures give you a record of the outing without requiring you to manage extra gear underwater.

DAN dive insurance is included as well. You should still answer the health questionnaire honestly and discuss any medical concerns with your doctor before booking. Asthma, heart conditions, respiratory problems, and other pre-existing conditions may prevent participation.

Price and practical value at $64

At $64 per person, this is a strong package if you plan to use the boat and supplied equipment. You are paying not only for instruction but also for the boat, scuba gear, insurance, water, snacks, refreshments, and photos or video.

The value is especially good for visitors who did not bring equipment to Greece. Renting gear separately, arranging boat transport, and finding an instructor could easily make a self-organized outing less convenient, even if the basic ticket price looked lower.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short, simple coastal swim. The trip involves transport, preparation, and several hours of activity, so it makes sense for someone who wants a proper scuba session rather than a quick dip.

The small group adds value, too. With no more than seven participants, you get a more personal briefing and a better chance to discuss your skill level and preferred setting. For a certified participant who wants support without joining a large commercial group, that balance is useful.

Getting to Nea Makri from Athens

The center is about 45 minutes from central Athens by car, though traffic can change the journey. Nea Makri hotel pickup is free if arranged ahead of time, making the outing easier for people staying locally.

The trip is less convenient if you are based in central Athens and relying on public buses. One French participant specifically found the bus connection complicated. I would plan a car, taxi, or arranged pickup rather than building a tight schedule around public transportation.

Do not book this on a day when you need to catch a flight soon afterward. Scuba activity within 12 hours of flying is not recommended. You also need enough time to complete the outing without rushing back for an important Athens reservation.

The total duration is listed as three to six hours. Check the available start times before you book, and leave extra room for the drive back. A flexible afternoon or morning works better than a packed sightseeing plan.

Safety, certification, and health rules

Proof of scuba certification is required from every participant taking part in the certified activity. This is not an introduction for people who have never used scuba gear.

You also complete a health questionnaire before entering the water. People with heart problems or respiratory issues may not be suitable, and other medical conditions can also affect eligibility. If you have asthma, a heart condition, or another concern, consult your doctor before reserving.

Children must have an adult with them. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted.

The 30-minute safety briefing is a good sign for anyone who appreciates a careful start. Use that time to explain your experience level, ask about the planned site, and tell the instructor if you prefer calm water or a more challenging setting. Clear communication can make the difference between a merely acceptable outing and one that fits you well.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for a certified scuba participant staying in Athens or Nea Makri who wants access to nearby sites without organizing a boat, equipment, insurance, and guide separately.

It also suits people who enjoy variety. You may get a wreck, wall, cavern, slope, or rocky formation, and the group can choose between shore access and an inflatable-boat outing. The option to match the setting to your comfort level is a real benefit.

This is less suitable for someone who wants guaranteed wildlife sightings, a fixed wreck location, or a very short activity. It is also not a good choice for anyone with a relevant heart or respiratory condition until a doctor has confirmed that scuba activity is safe.

The guide support is one of the strongest reasons to choose it. Dimitri is attentive during the underwater work, and French-speaking help is available. Maria may assist with transport and add local context during the journey. That personal contact can make the logistics feel easier, especially if this is your first scuba outing in Greece.

Should you book the Nea Makri outing?

Book it if you are certified, want a small group, and value an all-in package with boat transport, gear, insurance, refreshments, and photos. The warm water, clear conditions, rocky formations, and chance of seeing octopus or eels make it a worthwhile coastal addition to an Athens visit.

Before paying, confirm the meeting time, pickup plan, and likely site. Ask specifically if the day will use the boat or stay near shore, and explain whether you want a gentle route or more demanding terrain.

Skip it if your schedule cannot spare up to six hours, if you need guaranteed wreck access, or if reaching Nea Makri by bus would create stress. For the right certified participant, though, $64 is a fair price for a guided, small-group outing close to Athens.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?

You meet at the local partner’s scuba center at Frinis 20 in Nea Makri. Free hotel pickup is available from hotels in Nea Makri if you request it and make contact ahead of time.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is listed as three to six hours. The planned scuba portion lasts about three hours, with a 30-minute safety briefing and a 90-minute surface interval between sessions.

Is scuba certification required?

Yes. Every participant taking part in a certified scuba session must provide evidence of certification.

What languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in English and French. Dimitri has also assisted French-speaking participants.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Scuba equipment, bottled water, juice or tea, biscuits or fruit, boat costs, DAN insurance, and photos or video are included.

Can I take part if I have a medical condition?

You must complete a health questionnaire before the activity. People with heart problems or respiratory issues may not be suitable, and you should consult your doctor about pre-existing conditions such as asthma or heart problems before booking.