Peristera Shipwreck (Alonissos Underwater Museum)

The Peristera wreck is a large merchant ship of the late 5th century BC lying off the uninhabited islet of Peristera, east of Alonissos, with a mound of thousands of intact amphorae (sources give roughly 3,000-4,000) that probably carried wine. A fisherman found it in 1985 and the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities excavated it. Since August 2020 it has been Greece's first underwater museum open to recreational divers, inside the National Marine Park of Alonissos. Guided dives reach about 25-28 m; boats use permanent moorings and the site is monitored. Non-divers can take a virtual dive at the information centre in Patitiri. The position is approximate: it is placed just off the islet's west coast from the islet's published coordinates.

Facts

• Region: Greece – Mainland, Attica & Sporades
• Area: Northern Sporades
• Depth: 20–28 m
• Level: intermediate
• Current: low
• Type: wreck
• Coordinates: 39.18795, 23.95782 (approximate)
• Highlights: ancient merchant ship, late 5th century BC, 3,000-4,000 intact amphorae, Greece's first accessible underwater archaeological site, permanent moorings, guided only
• Permit: Open designated 'visitable underwater archaeological site' (Hellenic Ministry of Culture / Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities), inside Zone B of the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades (NPMANS). Guided-only: dives run through licensed local dive centres, with groups of up to eight divers, permanent moorings and no anchoring; fishing and boat traffic are banned during dives. Advanced Open Water or equivalent, qualified to 30 m. There is no separate diver permit, the dive centre books your slot (May to October). For information contact the Alonissos Visitor Information Center. (Sources: visitgreece.gr, sporadesdiving.gr, Divernet 2024, alonissos-park.gr zoning page)
• Issuer / contact: Alonissos Visitor Information Center (Underwater Museum, Patitiri); dive bookings via licensed centres such as Ikion Diving
  • Phone: +30 24240 66502
  • Website: https://museum.alonissos.gov.gr/
• Tips: Only with a licensed local dive centre (access without an instructor is prohibited). Advanced Open Water or equivalent (qualified to 30 m), excellent buoyancy, book at least a week ahead (daily slots), a preparatory dive is recommended; open May to October. Keep at least 1.5 m above the seabed and 1 m from the remains, never touch anything.

Sources

• https://www.visitgreece.gr/en/experiences/culture/museums/alonnisos-underwater-museum
• https://sporadesdiving.gr/diving-sites/peristera-wreck/
• https://www.divelog.gr/divepost/navagio-peristeras-2/?lang=en
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peristera_shipwreck
• https://divernet.com/scuba-news/archaeology/calmed-nerves-unlock-ancient-greek-dive-sites/