Devil’s Well in Vouliagmeni is one of the most historic and unique shore dives near Athens, featuring a vertical underwater shaft leading to a deep cave system.
Dive Overview
Although the name sounds intimidating, Devil’s Well is actually a relatively relaxed recreational dive focused around a rare geological formation and an important piece of Greek diving history.
The site is located at the second harbor of Vouliagmeni, approximately 25 kilometers from central Athens.
Accessible directly by car via Poseidonos Avenue, the dive is extremely popular among local divers and dive schools thanks to its easy access and unusual underwater landscape.
Entry & Conditions
You can park above the harbor and carry your equipment down the path leading to the rocky shoreline.
Non-divers accompanying you can enjoy swimming or relax at the beach bar located nearby.
During the summer months, the area becomes very busy with swimmers and dive groups.
Entry into the water requires a giant stride from the rocks, while a small metal ladder fixed to the shoreline makes exiting the water much easier.
What You ‘ll See
After entering the water, head east following the sandy seabed as it gradually deepens.
At approximately 11 meters depth, the circular opening of the “well” appears beneath you, measuring around 3 meters in diameter.
Before descending, check carefully whether other divers are already inside the shaft and wait if necessary.
A rope running along the wall assists the descent as the natural light slowly fades.
At around 17 meters depth, a second narrower shaft branches off parallel to the main well. This secondary shaft is extremely tight and should not be explored.
At 29 meters, you reach the bottom of the shaft.
Looking upward, the opening frames the blue Mediterranean sky, while directly ahead lies the dark entrance of the underwater cave system that gave the site its name.
In the 1970s, three American recreational divers lost their lives inside this cave system.
For safety reasons, the Hellenic Coast Guard installed a metal gate and warning sign at the cave entrance during the 1980s.
At the time of writing, the sign was heavily covered by marine growth and difficult to read.
A noticeable downward current can often be felt pulling toward the cave interior.
After exploring the shaft area, begin your ascent and optionally continue exploring the surrounding rocky coastline toward the east, depending on your remaining gas and comfort level.
Important Consideration
- Cave penetration is extremely dangerous
- Do not enter beyond the safety gate
- Strong downward current possible near cave entrance
- Excellent buoyancy required inside the shaft
- Heavy diver traffic during summer
Depth Profile
The dive begins in shallow water, with the well opening at 11 meters and the bottom of the shaft at approximately 29 meters.
Tips for divers
- Wait for other divers to exit before entering the shaft
- Bring a dive light for the lower section
- Monitor depth carefully during descent
- Avoid silting the shaft walls and bottom
- Do not attempt cave penetration without proper cave training
Why this dive stands Out
Devil’s Well stands out for its dramatic vertical shaft, unique geology, and legendary place in Greek diving history.
Scubadiver.gr would like to thank Antonios Ramos for the article and Seahorse Dive Center for photos
