Messerschmitt Bf 109 Wreck (Heraklion) | WWII Fighter Dive

Site Overview

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is one of Crete’s most unusual dives: a WWII German fighter aircraft resting on the sandy seabed off Heraklion at just 15 m, its fuselage and wings remarkably intact and draped in algae and small life. The shallow depth and clear water make it accessible to every certified diver, and the chance to fin along a real wartime aircraft is a thrill for history lovers and photographers alike. Macro life has claimed the wreck — nudibranchs freckle the panels, octopus hide in the shadow of the wing, and morays thread the openings. A strict no-touch rule protects the historic airframe, but from the outside it is a fascinating, fish-filled dive that combines a little history with easy conditions close to the city. Messerschmitt Bf 109 Wreck (Heraklion) sits within Crete (North Coast) and is best described as a wreck and macro dive. The water here is typically clear, and the profile — from around 10 m down to 18 m — gives beginner divers a rewarding range of routes. Among the life you can expect are Nudibranch, Mediterranean Moray, Common Octopus, Anthias, Wrasse. 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.