There are many diving schools in Corinthia for those interested in exploring its underwater world. Diving is allowed in the region, except in some specific archaeological sites and sea parks. Fishing with scuba diving equipment is not allowed, including spear guns with oxygen bottles, taking photos or removing antiquities. You can get more information at the local port police stations.Most diving spots in the prefecture of Corinthia are located in the limits of the municipality of Loutraki- Agioi Theodoroi.
Pappas«Andros» wreck
Diving Type: Wreck Dive, Deep Dive
Maximum depth: 28 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
This dive site is located opposite the Hotel Pappas. Access by boat is easy and the dive begins at a depth of 6-7 meters. This site has a great morphological interest because of the sloping reef, which starts at 10-12 meters and reaches 25 meters. Here you can find many holes. At the end of the rocky bottom, there is a large cave with an entrance at 25 meters of depth whose interior is another 10 meters deep. Divers that decide to enter must be very experienced and careful because of the muddy environment.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 25 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Atlas
A very interesting reef begins in front of the apartment building Atlas. The dive starts at a shallow depth with a rocky bottom covered by algae and continues with a wall that begins at 10 meters and ends at a 25 meter deep. Yellow, red and blue sponges compose a beautiful landscape.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 28 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Poseidon 1
The dive starts from a small beach or from the dock at 4-5 meters of depth. It is a habitat for large groups of sea breams and up to about 18 meters there are black tail combers nests.
Diving Types: Deep Diving Training
Maximum depth: 20 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Poseidon 2
This site is a very good and beautiful yet difficult dive. A huge reef lies at about 100 meters from the coast of Hotel Poseidon Resort. The dive starts from a pontoon, and using a compass to find the start of the reef, or from a boat with a straight fall to 30-35 meters deep. The site is covered with red soft corals and has a rich underground flora and fauna.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 48 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Grill
The reef begins at 20 meters and ends at 35 meters of depth. The dive starts from the beach or from a boat (6-7 meters deep) and continues towards the open sea until the shallowest area of the reef. The site is covered with soft corals and hosts large octopuses.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 35 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Orphanage
Starting at 7 meters of depth, the dive continues towards the open sea passing by an 18m rock wall. Along the coastline, there are rocks of unusual shapes, covered with corals of bright colors, sponges and marine flora. It is a very interesting dive site with unexpected surprises.
Diving Types: Sightseeing Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 35 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Chapel
In front of a small traditional Orthodox church, the dive starts at a depth of 8 meters, following a semi-circular route. A vertical wall begins at 20 meters and ends at 30 meters of depth. The site is covered by very soft red corals and hosts many nests. During the summer, sea turtles visit the area.
Diving Types: Sightseeing Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 35 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August.
Skala
One of the best dive sites in the area of Loutraki. In the midst of a sandy bottom, there is a reef full of aquatic life. The dive begins at a depth of 4-5 meters close to the coast. A wall with many holes and cracks filled with fish can be found at a depth of 25 meters.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 32 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Villa
Starting at 3-4 meters deep, there is a sandy bottom with a gentle slope. Huge rocks, with unusual forms, can be seen all around, up to 19 meters of depth. It is a great dive that offers many surprises.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 48 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June- August
Vouliagmeni Lake
On the right hand side of the Lake Vouliagmeni entrance, this dive site starts at 10 meters depth and extends to a steep sloping reef. The site is not very interesting in terms of marine life, but it has important historical interest. At least 15 anchors of all types, attest the past existence of a port for large or small boats.
Diving Types: Wreck Dive Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 45 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June- August
Plevra 1
After entering the lake, an unusual wall begins forming two diving spots. A few meters further at the ancient port of Heraion, the site is covered by huge rocks.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 40 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Plevra 2
A small bay lies by the path of the ancient port of Heraion, along the coastline. The dive begins at 10 meters and continues to multiple platforms with steep slopes that reach a depth of 60 meters. At 40 meters of depth, yellow and green gorgonians can be seen everywhere. The site contains ancient amphorae and pieces of ancient pottery.
Diving Types: Wreck Dive Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 110 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Heraion
The dive begins at the entrance of the ancient port of Heraion. The depth here seems to be very deep because it’s the reef that has a very steep slope. A huge yellow gorgonian can be found at a depth of 25 meters.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 60 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June- August
Cavos
It is a dive site for very experienced divers. The first platform can be found at a depth of 12 meters. A little deeper, at a depth of 55 meters, there is a small platform that reaches 120 meters of depth. A second platform full of fish can be found here. For those who do deep dive at a depth of 45-50 meters, there is a unique forest of gorgonians in a variety of sizes and colors.
Diving Types: Sightseeing Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 120 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June- August
Lighthouse
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 35 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Limenarchis 1
The dive begins in a shallow area and continues deeper. The morphology and colour formulation is very interesting. A 70 cubic meters platform lies at the seashore covered with all kinds of underwater flora that produce several reflections with the sunlight. The visibility is 25-30 meters. In the deeper part of this site, there is a platform with huge rocks.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 18 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 20 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Limenarchis 2
Around this reef, there is a great platform, 2 to 15 meters depth. Covered with colorful corals, it is the ideal site for multilevel dives. At a depth of 20 meters lies the first cave. The cave is decorated with amazing bright colors produced by the reflections of the sun. Corals, sponges, groupers and lobsters, dominate the cave producing an amazing feast of colors. On the right side there is a concavity formed in the wall. Here lies the entrance to the second cave. The cave entrance is large enough to receive four divers.
Diving Types: Cave Dive Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 90 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Limenarchis Reef
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 70 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Deep Blue Canyon
At 4 meters in depth, the setting is characterized by crystal clear water and white sand and rocks. As we swim deeper, there is a canyon with sand in the middle and two huge rough walls on its two lateral sides. Visibility can reach 30 meters. It is considered to be a difficult dive because of the large depth and the existence of strong currents.
Diving Types: Sightseeing Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 94 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Deep Blue
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 230 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Mushroom
On the coast, there is a rock in the shape of a mushroom. The dive starts at 4 meters of depth, in a rocky bottom full of cracks and holes. It is an easy dive with nice aquatic life.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 20 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Sterna 1
The dive begins at a depth of 3-4 meters deep, in crystal clear waters. It is a beautiful yet wild site. The shallow part of the dive is formed by rocks full of cavities and gold sand. Deeper, at 20 meters of depth, there are huge rocks and among them large groupers. At 30-40 meters of depth, all these rocks are densely covered by corals and algae. At the end of the dive, the divers have to go through a canyon with a very interesting geological morphology.
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 90 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Sterna 2
It is a very interesting dive site, with an average depth of 6 meters and a maximum depth of 15 meters. There are two small caves. At a depth of 3 meters there is a small cave ideal for divers of all ages due its relatively small depth. The site offers relaxing diving tours.
Diving Types: Cave Dive
Maximum depth: 12 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Mylokopi
Diving Types: Deep Diving
Maximum depth: 22 m
Water Temperature: The water temperature is between 22° and 26° C.
Visibility under water: Visibility varies between 10 and 30 meters.
When to go: June-August
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr
On the northwestern side of Killini Mountain, in the plateau between its two mountain tops, is Ziria Athletic Centre. The center is located exactly where Little Ziria (2.080 m) and Great Ziria (2.374 m) are separated by the ravine Flabouritsa , only 10 km from Ano (Upper) Trikala. It is a place for fun and action and has parking for almost 200 vehicles.
The Ziria Athletic Center has a ski slope with a baby lift 100m high and also a 450 m sliding lift. The personnel are helpful and ready to assist visitors, while equipment, boots, skis and security equipment are also available. Furthermore, ski lessons are given and there is the possibility of night skiing and skiing endurance, while the center is also suitable for the little visitors and their sleds. The space is decorated with a beautiful chalet at the base of the 500m long ski slope, where you can enjoy a hot beverage and various snacks. Apart from skiing, there are also more activities available, like renting a snowmobile or an ATV, and exploration starting from the small plateau.The morphology of the area is suitable even for beginners. Lake Dasio and Hermes Cave Next are right next door, where mythology has it that the restless god was born there. Two mountain shelters, on the east and west of the plateau, offer accommodation to the visitors after placing a reservation. We should also mention that the area is located within the boundaries of Killini, which belongs to the Natura 2000 network.
You can choose from a great variety of lodgings, like hotels, pensions and rooms to let, all located in the area. Climbing up Ziria (Killini) the sheer natural beauty and the view of the Corinthian Gulf and the opposite “Roumeli” (Central Greece) will charm you for sure. So, put on your skis and here we go!
Nearby destinations
Holy Monastery of Agios Vlasios: 8.8 km, 10 min
Mesea (Middle) Trikala: 11.4 km, 14 min.
Kato (Lower) Trikala: 13.8 km, 19 min.
Panagia tou Vrachou : 26.6 km, 38 min.
Ano (Upper) Trikala: 10.1 km, 12 min.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr
The marina of Kiato is located on the eastern side of the city and the main characteristic of the port is the temple of Metamorfosi Sotiros, the city’s Cathedral. The marina is usually occupied by the local residents but smaller boats can easier find a place to dock, although you will need to communicate with the local port authorities first.
It offers good protection from the eastern and northeastern winds, while water is provided at the dock and fuels upon request. You can find supplies and services in the city, and a variety of food choices.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr
Boats larger than 20 m should be docked at the commercial port of Corinth. In this case you will have to communicate with the Port Authority of Corinth in channels VHF ch12, ch16. As far as the docking is concerned, you should remember two factors: a) very powerful gusts of wind are created at this part of the Corinthian Gulf when northeastern wind blows b) the western winds create swells, but once you enter the jetty there is no problem.
Generally, the marina of Corinth provides excellent protection with a muddy seabed. The external port is considered to be dangerous when with strong northeastern winds. There is a water tank at the dock and the city provides fuels upon request. Moreover, in the city of Corinth you can find repair shops and supplies of every kind. When it comes to food selection, the city offers a great variety of choices.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr
Vouliagmeni Lake is located west of the Isthmos canal, 16 kilometers from the town of Loutraki, after the village of Perachora and next to the archaeological site of Heraion. In antiquity, it was named Eschatiotis or Gorgopis after Gorgi, Corinthos’s wife, who drowned in the lake after been informed about the murder of her children.
Video by fabdrone
It is a two kilometers wide lagoon and one kilometer long. Its depth reaches 40 meters and it is connected to the Corinthian golf by a narrow channel (width of 6 meters). It is surrounded by a pine forest which forms a magnificent landscape. Early Hellenistic settlements, that date back to 3000 B.C., have been found in the area around the lake.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr
Lake Doxa is located on the borders of Sikyonion municipality, on the plateau of Pheneos. It is an artificial lake, 900 meters above sea level, completed in late 1990 with the construction of the water dam bearing the same name. In the center of the lake, on a narrow strip of land, stands the chapel of Saint Fanourios or Palaiomonastero, the remains of an old monastery that was relocated because of the floods from one of the forested slopes surrounding the lake. The new monastery of Saint George offers a magnificent view to the lake.
Even though it is believed that Doxa Lake is hidden among the mountains, it is easily accessed. Once in village Mossia, take the road to the left that leads to Messino village, pass through Ancient Pheneos, or Kalyvia according to the locals, and you are one kilometer away from Corinth’s small “Switzerland”.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr
Lake Stymphalia is one of the most significant wetlands of Greece in the municipality of Sikyonion. The land is closely related to one of the most popular mythology heroes. Hercule’s sixth feat consisted of killing the Stymphalian birds, the man eating birds with bronze beaks which haunted the lake, with his arrows. According to scientists, the Stymphalian birds were inspired from the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita).
It is situated at an altitude of 600 meters on the plateau bearing the same name. It receives the water of the plateau’s springs and the water drained from the plateau of the reclaimed Pellene Lake.It is designated as a landmark for fauna and flora under the EU’s Natura 2000 program.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr
Since 1998, a new wetland was formed on the plateau of Pheneos, behind the irrigation dam of the torrent bearing the same name. The plateau of Pheneos is a large triangular flat plateau surrounded by forested slopes. It borders with the prefecture of Achaia to the west and the prefecture of Arcadia to the south. It is the last plateau of the prefecture of Corinthia to the southwest. It is an endless colorful mosaic. The prefecture of Corinthia obtained an open air artificial hydrologic park, surrounded by magnificent landscapes and natural forest ecosystems of special ecological interest. These forests have been included in the Natura 2000 Chelmos project.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr
Every summer a series of cultural events take place for all, locals and visitors of Xylokastro and Evrostini. Concerts, plays, exhibitions, sport events, are but a few of the happenings during summer. Almost every day, during July and August, there is something to enjoy or take part it.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr
The ancient Greeks celebrated festivals at Nemea that were part of the cycle of games at Delphi, Isthmia, and (best known today) Olympia. At each one of these four sites in rotation, for a brief period each year, wars and hostilities were suspended by a sacred truce, and all Greeks – Spartans and Athenians, Corinthians and Argives, Macedonians, and Cretans – gathered in recognition of their common humanity. The society for the Revival for the Nemean Games (which now has more than 1900 members from around the world) was founded in the belief that there is today scope and perhaps even the need for the average person – regardless of ethnicity, language, religion, gender, age, or athletic ability – to participate in an international athletic festival.
And so it happened in 1996 and 2000 and 2004 and 2008. More than 2500 people from 45 different countries, ranging in age from 6 to 96, have added their footprints to those of ages long gone. The games include running in the Stadium and a long distance run called “Footsteps of Herakles”. No records are kept, no medals are awarded. Families with picnics on the slopes of the stadium are as much a part of the festival as the runners. Races are organized by gender and age, and are interspersed with music and dances.
The Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games was founded on December 30, 1994, but the idea of a revival began much, much earlier. After continuous efforts there came the completion of the excavations and the publication of the stadium, and its landscaping. On July 6, 1994, Miller turned the stadium park over to the State in the persona of the then Minister of Culture, Thanos Mikroutsikos. It was wonderful to see the ancient stadium come back to life after so many centuries in front of 1500 spectators. The Nemean Games have 2 basic principles the Games should be as authentic, as true to historic precedent, as possible; and they should be for the participation of everyone to become an ancient Greek athlete if only for ten minutes.
In antiquity athletes assembled at the altar in front of the Temple of Zeus where they performed sacrifices and swore their oath. All the athletes assemble at the ancient locker room (apodyterion) where they will be assigned to their final grouping of twelve for each race – each group of similar age and the same gender.
Once inside the tent, the athlete will small clay jars (aryballoi) which contain olive oil as they did in antiquity — for the athletes to rub over their bodies.The modern participant at the Nemean is not required to use the oil, nor to compete in the nude – although that would be authentic. Rather, when each competitor enters the apodyterion tent, he or she is given a large plastic box, a chiton (tunic), and a zoni (belt). A doulos (slave – in a yellow chiton) will take the box for safe-keeping. The chiton slips over the head, and the zoni tightened around the waist will allow the length of the chiton to be adjusted to suit.
A Hellanodikes (judge) enters the tent when it is time for the next group of runners. He will be dressed in a black himation (long robe) as were the judges at the ancient Nemean Games in memory of the death of Opheltes, and he will be holding a switch of olive with which he will flog anyone who commits a foul or does not obey his orders — as was done in ancient Greece. The Hellanodikes summons the next group to leave the apodyterion and enter the passageway between it and the krypte esodos (hidden entrance tunnel). There he administers the oath of the Nemean Games in Greek: “Do you swear to abide by the rules of the Nemean Games and to do nothing that would bring shame to you, your family, or the spirit of the ancient Games?”
Each participant is expected to respond: “I swear.” And the judge will respond, as he did in antiquity: “Now go forward into the stadium, and be worthy of victory.”Now the participant passes through the 120′ long ancient tunnel (constructed about 2,320 years ago) being careful not to touch the walls, for the graffiti scratched then by ancient athletes can be damaged. At the far end of the tunnel, the participants wait for a blast from the salpinktes (trumpeter, dressed in a maroon chlamys) that signals the crowd to be quiet. Next the keryx (herald, in a blue himation) calls out the name of each athlete.
When the keryx calls his or her name, the participant runs out of the tunnel to the track where another hellanodikes asks each participant to draw a kleros (marble lot) from a bronze helmet. This is the race called the stadion although the ancient stadion race was actually twice as long, but the Nemean stadium track is not preserved to the full ancient length.
With the lanes assigned, each modern athlete positions him-/herself with the toes of one foot in the front groove and the toes of the other foot in the back groove. It does not matter which foot is forward and which behind, but BOTH FEET MUST BE IN THE GROOVES. If both feet are not in the grooves the switch of the Hellanodikes will be felt.
When all the runners have taken their positions, and the aphetes (starter, in a white himation) has prepared the hysplex to his satisfaction, the salpinktes will blow his trumpet, and the aphetes will shout out three ancient words which are the rough equivalent of our English “ready! set! GO!”
“poda para poda” (foot by foot)
“ettime” (ready)
“ápite” (GO)
As he shouts ÁPITE the aphetes pulls the trip-cords which release the hysplex and the torsion-loaded post hurls the barrier-cords to the ground in front of the runners.
The Hellanodikai at the finish line tie a ribbon around the head of the victor, and give him/her a palm branch. These were the immediate tokens of victory that were awarded in antiquity. The salpinktes will blow his trumpet, and the keryx will announce the name of the victor. (The winner should wear the ribbon and keep the palm branch close at hand for the rest of the Games.)
The first of the twelve Labors of Herakles was to slay the Nemean Lion, a beast whose skin could not be penetrated. Herakles was forced to wrestle the Lion and strangle him. Ancient authors tell that Herakles had his base of operations against the Nemean Lion at Kleonai. The modern race which follows the road from Kleonai to Nemea — as did Herakles — is therefore called “The Footsteps of Herakles”. The course of the 7.5 km. race is marked clearly by a Hellanodikes and a doulos at each cross road. It begins from the Temple of Herakles and follows a country road through fields of grain, olive groves, and vineyards. The gradual uphill course becomes much steeper as the road enters and passes through the modern village of Kleonai with Akrokorinthos in the background.
After the last of the Footsteps of Herakles runners crosses the finish line, the participants return to the apodyterion to clean up and dress.
Late that afternoon come the closing ceremonies. The winners, with their ribbons and palm branches, assemble in the apodyterion. All the other participants, clad in their T-shirts, assemble at the north end of the track in front of the Altar of Zeus and then file past the Hellanodikaion to receive a “Nemea” pin. This pin is not only the official badge of participation at the Games, but is also the “ticket” to the banquet that will follow for those who ran in the Nemean Games. Meanwhile the winners will be ordered in accordance with the sequence of races in the krypte esodos. When the keryx calls each name, he or she will come forward to the Hellanodikaion (judges’ stand) to receive the official ancient victory prize — the crown of wild celery.
With all the participants on the ancient track, the final ceremonies of the modern Nemean Games end with a prayer to Nemean Earth and the extinguishing of the flame on the Altar.
In antiquity, the final item on the program of the Olympic games was a victory banquet in the prytaneion (town hall) next to the eternal flame of the goddess Hestia. The equivalent of this at the revived Nemean Games is a banquet in the square by the Town Hall of Ancient Nemea where the office of the Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games is located. Those who have run, and their friends and families, will be hosted by the Society and by the citizens of Ancient Nemea. The evening frequently ends with dancing in the streets.
All the participants ran barefoot and in ancient tunics which they put on in the ancient locker room. Your real medal; feet sore from contact with the same earth where ancient feet ran more than 2,300 years ago – and the knowledge that they had been in direct physical contact with an ancient idea, an ancient spirit, that still lives at the earth of Nemea.
Source: www.mythicalpeloponnese.gr