Elephant Cave (Spilia ton Elefanton)
Elephant Cave lies near Cape Drapano on the Apokoronas coast east of Chania and is reached by fast RHIB. Blue Adventures lists a maximum depth of 12 m, 19-26 C water and 20-40 m visibility. The cave has a spacious main chamber with stalactites, stalagmites and a breathable air pocket, and fossilised remains of ancient elephants and deer are embedded in the walls. A Crete tourism guide calls it a specialised diving site that should only be approached with properly qualified guides.
Facts
- Region: Greece – Crete
- Area: Chania & Akrotiri
- Depth: 3–12 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: moderate
- Type: cave, cavern
- Coordinates: 35.4716, 24.2449 (approximate)
- Highlights: air chamber inside the cave, stalactites and stalagmites, fossilised bones of an endemic elephant and deer
- Tips: Open Water or higher; guided only, with small groups. Conditions can cancel boat dives, so keep a spare day.