Avantis III Wreck (Aegina) | Saronic’s Artificial Reef

Site Overview

The Avantis III is the Saronic Gulf’s flagship wreck dive: a 70 m cargo ship deliberately scuttled as an artificial reef, now resting upright on the sandy seabed off Aegina at 20–40 m. Her decks and railings are draped in algae and sponges and throng with life — huge resident groupers loiter by the stern, schools of amberjack and barracuda wheel in the blue, and anthias shimmer over the superstructure. Although penetration is not encouraged, swimming the bright outer decks and around the wheelhouse gives a strong sense of the vessel without the risks of enclosed spaces. For divers who love wrecks but prefer Aegean clarity, the Avantis III is a satisfying, fish-filled introduction to shipwreck diving close to Athens. Its size and vitality make it one of the most rewarding easy wreck dives in the region. Avantis III Wreck (Aegina) sits within Aegean – Saronic Gulf (Athens & Islands) and is best described as a wreck and artificial-reef dive. The water here is typically clear, and the profile — from around 18 m down to 40 m — gives intermediate divers a rewarding range of routes. Among the life you can expect are Dusky Grouper, Barracuda, Amberjack, Mediterranean Moray, Anthias. The site rewards a slow, observant approach, and good buoyancy keeps both diver and reef safe. With sensible planning around weather and boats, it ranks among the more memorable stops on a Greek diving trip.