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Kefalonia – a press trip to remember
As you may have read in our previous blog about this trip, we were not blessed with the best weather. Our original itinerary was to see us dive four of the World War II wrecks that can be found in the waters around Kefalonia: HMS Persius, F495 Landing Craft, Junkers 88 & SS Ardena. The Persius was, in our opinion, going to be the highlight – a British submarine lost in 1941 that has the incredible story of a single survivor who made the 50m ascent and 5 mile swim to shore. The SS Ardena tells another terrible story; she sank after hitting a mine with over 700 Italian prisoners of war on board, all were lost, along with the crew. The Junkers 88 Luftwaffe bomber plane broke up in the crash leaving only the engines and tail at a depth suitable for the recreational diver.
Alas, die to high winds, we only got to dive one of these four amazing wrecks and that was the German F495 landing craft that sank close to shore in shallow waters. The waves had already stirred up the sandy bottom and so the visibility was down to less than 5 meters when we got in. However, this vessel was carrying a huge array of supplies and so exploring the seabed trying to identify the objects that you find makes this a good dive in all conditions. There were a huge number of depth charges on board when she was sunk and these litter the seabed. Look more closely and you can find large anti-submarine nets, jerry cans, wheels from vehicles, ammunition and we are sure a keen eye and good knowledge would lead to even more discoveries.
Our only other dives were to be in caverns. Our fresh water experience you can read all about here in our previous blog. We did manage a sea cavern too, which offered shelter, but the highlight of this dive was actually the surrounding area, where ancient amphoras and ship ballast could be found amongst the sea grass.
Our hosts were keen to make sure that we also experienced some of the culture that Kefalonia has to offer and so we were treated to huge and excellent meals at every opportunity. Sometimes it seems impossible, whilst still eating lunch at 4pm, that we would have to do this all again in just a few short hours! But with amazing fresh food and great local wine, beer and spirits, this was a real treat. As our diving was cut short, we toured the island, visiting a vineyard and also touring a fresh water cavern, similar to the one we had dived the day before.
In peak season, flights from the UK go direct to Kefalonia, however we went just as the season ended and so had to travel via Athens. This, however, gave us a wonderful opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of this historic capital city.
Kefalonlia is only a short hop away from the UK and, whilst we did not see the best of it underwater, it is clear that there are fantastic scuba diving opportunities here. We hope we can return next summer to dive the WWII wrecks, re-visit the fresh water caves and take in some of the many other dives this beautiful island has to offer. It is also time to dust off our copy of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin…
With thanks to:
For more from Nick and Caroline, visit www.frogfishphotography.com.
Octo Diver, in collaboration with PADI, have introduced the first-ever PADI Scuba Technician Distinctive Specialty Course, designed to raise the standard of dive equipment knowledge and safety in the scuba diving industry.
This 7-day hands-on course is open to all certified divers, dive professionals, and dive centre/resort staff, and focuses on vital life-support equipment servicing.
The course modules include:
Scuba Regulator Servicing (Diaphragm & Piston types)
2nd Stage Servicing (Balanced & Unbalanced)
K-Valve Cylinder Valve Maintenance
Scuba Cylinder Visual Inspection
Power Inflator Servicing
Oxygen Cleaning for Scuba Equipment
Scuba Compressor Service & Maintenance
Standard Service & Repair Reporting
It is developed by Octo Diver’s professional team, led by a certified PADI Scuba Technician Instructor with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering and over 15 years of experience in the diving industry.
This professional-level course can be conducted at Octo Diver’s classroom in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, or hosted at dive centers worldwide. Hosting dive centers receive exclusive benefits, including high commission, special course rates, and free seats.
Upon completion, students will receive certification from PADI along with official technician credentials.
Octo Diver is currently looking for dive centers and resorts globally to host this course. Let’s work together to make diving safer and more professional — Be a Certified PADI Scuba Technician.
For more information, visit www.Scuba-Technician.com
Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
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