Diving in the Sporades

In the northwest of the Aegean Sea is yet another Greek island chain known as the Sporades islands. There are 24 islands that make up the Sporades but only four of them are inhabited. These four major Sporades islands are Alonnisos, Skiathos, Skopelos, and Skyros. The island chain as a whole covers around 275 square kilometers (106 square miles) and has a population of around 14,000 people. By area, Skyros is the largest followed by Alonnisos, Skopelos, and Skiathos. The best islands for diving excursions are Alonnisos and Skyros, while snorkeling can be enjoyed off the coast of every island, which is ideal if you’re travelling with non-divers. Alonnisos is at the center of a beautiful marine park with one of the best preserved ecosystems in the Mediterranean. The water is crystal clear, there are great wrecks and the conditions are ideal for beginners, the area is also home to dolphins and the incredibly rare Mediterranean monk seals making for some exceptional dive experiences. Skyros is slightly further away from the rest of the inhabited parts of the chain. It is covered in forest and rocky land on the surface and is home to many caverns and caves below the water which are great for more advanced divers to explore.