The best dive location in Crete!

THE CAVE

Discover elephant fossils in a submerged cavern in Crete with two spectacular domes.

The Elephants’ Submarine Cave is located off the coast of Souda Bay in Drepano area of Akrotiri, in the Chania prefecture.

Thousands of years ago, a cavern of breathtaking beauty was the last home of a group of rare elephants that lived in Vamos. When the sea level rose, an impenetrable wall of water erected itself to protect this stunning natural monument from man’s destructive interference.

In order for the cave to be discovered and explores on the year 2000, a series of incredible coincidences and games of fate had to occur. A local fisherman discovered it by accident while underwater fishing.

Stunning combinations of white and red stalagmites and stalactites cast a spell to every diver been there. The elephant of the cave possessed unique traits not found anywhere else. And so scientist gave it the name “Elephas Chaniensis”.

DESCRIPTION

The cavern’s entrance is 3,5 to 10 meters deep and is about 9 meters wide. It is only a few meters away from the -vertical at this point- seashore.

THE CEILING

Emerges from the water, 40 meters away from the cave’s entrance. Its highest point is 12 meters above the surface.

THE STRATIGRAPHY

Dwarf deer and micro mammals make up the majority of the upper layer. Elephas Chaniensis and normal deer bones can be found in the underlying layers. Three meters below the water’s surface, two molars are attached to the cave floor.

THE BOTTOM

Its entire surface is covered by water. The depth varies between a few centimetres to 4m.

THE DIMENSIONS

The main cave chamber is 120m long and its average width is 25m. The caves overall length is 160m long.

THE COLOR RED

The ceiling and floor are decorated with beautiful white and red formations. The amount of aluminum and iron oxide in the cavern’s stratum gives the red stalagmites their color.