Patris Wreck (Kea, permit-only guided dive)
Patris was a Greek paddle steamer lost in 1868 on a reef off Kea's Koundouros area; the wreck lies at 28–54 m. Kea Divers says no descent line is needed and no decompression stops are required, and asks for at least Advanced Open Water (deep certification to 40 m). It is part of the Kea Underwater Historic Site and dived only on guided, non-penetration dives.
Facts
- Region: Greece – Cyclades & Dodecanese
- Area: Kea (Britannic & wrecks)
- Depth: 28–54 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: wreck
- Coordinates: 37.57897, 24.26298 (approximate)
- Highlights: paddle steamer sunk 1868, sits on a reef, no decompression line needed
- Permit: Part of the Kea Underwater Historic Site (opened to divers in June 2022). Access only with guided dives run by a licensed Greek dive centre; individual divers may not dive the wreck or the protected zone around it (minimum distance 300 m), penetration is not allowed, nothing may be removed, and photo/video is for personal use only. Divers need insurance and a recent medical statement. Wrecks are among the 91 ship and aircraft wrecks designated by the Ministry of Culture (Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities) with the Defence and Shipping ministries. Book through a licensed operator such as Kea Divers (info@keadivers.com, +30 22880 22280). (Contact data as shown for the ministry page in search listings; the page itself blocked our automated fetch, so confirm before use.)
- Issuer / contact: Hellenic Ministry of Culture – Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities
- Phone: +30 210 92 35 105
- Email: eena@culture.gr
- Website: https://culture.gov.gr/en/ministry/SitePages/viewyphresia.aspx?iid=1369
- Unverified: Unverified: position – no coordinates published; placed at the Koundouros reef area where the ministry list (via Kids Love Greece) and Kea Divers locate it. Kea Divers' dive-site page calls the wreck's presence on the reef 'rumoured, unconfirmed' while its legal pages treat it as an official dive.
- Tips: Advanced Open Water minimum; dive computer mandatory; a check dive with the centre is recommended.
Sources
- https://keadivers.com/kea-underwater-historic-site/83-diving-conditions.html
- https://keadivers.com/kea-underwater-historic-site/85-legal-framework.html
- https://keadivers.com/scuba-diving/divesites.html
- https://www.kidslovegreece.com/en/25083-discover-the-underwater-ark-of-greek-history-91-wrecks-accessible-to-scuba-divers-in-greece/