In 1982, Captain Sarantis Oikonomou, with his trawlboat “Robinson,” caught a different kind of fish. A German seaplane type “ARADO AR 196,” used during World War II, got entangled in his nets at a depth of 90 meters. To disentangle it and prevent further entanglements in fishing gear, he decided to transport it to a secluded bay on the western side of Heraklia and deposit it at a depth of 11 meters.

The seaplane is located in the Alimias Bay on the western side of the island, accessible only by boat.

THE COAST

The entire bay is ideal for swimming, with a sandy shore and a few trees providing natural shade. Of course, the boat is visible with a mask, so your friends who don’t dive can also enjoy the sight of a WWII airplane wreck up close.

ENTRY TO THE SEA

The area has no particular features or currents; get ready and dive directly. Avoid anchoring in the seagrass meadows. During the summer months, the beach is busy with recreational boats, and a surface marker buoy is not only legally required but also essential.

THE DIVE

Over time, unfortunately, the seaplane has been looted, leaving behind its impressive skeleton and engine on the Posidonia seabed. As with all wrecks, take care not to touch the metal parts with bare hands to avoid injury. New divers who may struggle with buoyancy control are advised to wear a full wetsuit.

Historical research on the wreck was conducted by the excellent site aviationarchaeology.gr.