Although the name of the location sounds rather ominous, it is actually a relatively relaxed dive at a natural formation different from the usual, yet rich in diving history.

The dive site is located at the second marina of Vouliagmeni, about 25 kilometers from the center of Athens. You can drive there, following Poseidonos Avenue (Athens – Sounio), and park in the parking area overlooking the marina. After unloading your equipment and getting ready, follow the path that leads you to the shore.

Η ΑΚΤΗ

At the end of the downhill path, you are now on the rocky shore. Those in your group who are not diving can swim or enjoy their refreshments at the beach bar located at the marina. During the summer months, there is quite a crowd, as the spot is popular both for swimmers seeking an escape from the city heat and for several diving centers. It’s not uncommon to see groups of divers from two or even three different diving schools preparing to enter the water simultaneously.

ΕΙΣΟΔΟΣ ΣΤΗ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΑ

A giant stride is required to enter the water, while a small metal ladder attached to the rocks greatly facilitates your exit after the dive.

Η ΚΑΤΑΔΥΣΗ

Once you are in the water, move eastward, following the sandy bottom that gradually deepens. At a depth of about 11 meters, you will encounter the circular lip of the well, with a diameter of about 3 meters. Before entering the well, it is advisable to check if there are other divers at the bottom and wait for them to surface. A rope descending parallel to the walls of the well facilitates your descent, while gradually the light diminishes. At 17 meters depth, you will encounter a second small well or alcove, which descends parallel to the main well, but it is not recommended to follow it as it is very narrow. At a depth of 29 meters, you now reach the bottom. Raising your gaze, you will see the blue of the sky through the opening, while in front of you, a dark chasm opens: the entrance to the cave beyond the well. This cave gave its name to the location, as three amateur American divers lost their lives there in the 1970s. Since the 1980s, for safety reasons, the Coast Guard has installed a metal gate and a warning sign at the entrance to the cave, which during our visit (October 2023) was covered in marine life and barely readable. We can feel a downward current moving towards the interior of the cave. After exploring the area, we begin our ascent. After exiting, we can explore the area around the well, heading eastward and parallel to the rocky shores, depending on the air supply and our endurance.

Note: The entrance to the cave goes beyond recreational diving limits and is considered dangerous even for certified cave divers. It is indicative that until the time of writing this article, it has not been mapped beyond 140 meters past the gate. For those interested in delving into the history and dangers of the cave, the documentary of the exploratory team Grafas Diving is very interesting.