Wreck of the Kanaris

Dive site

The Kanaris is a Greek coastal steam freighter resting at 28 metres north of Mytilene harbour on a sandy bottom, largely intact with open cargo holds and a recognisable superstructure. Named after the Greek War of Independence admiral, the vessel sank in the 20th century and has since been colonised by dense gorgonian sea fans on the port rail, grouper sheltering under the stern, and large populations of damselfish holding territory around the funnel. The wreck lies in a current corridor that carries nutrients from the Chios Strait mixing zone, explaining the exceptional biological richness of an otherwise modest steel wreck. Visibility averages 15 to 20 metres in summer.

Conditions

Depth

12 to 32 m

Advanced depths

Current

Usually gentle

Can pick up on the edge

Visibility

15 to 20 m

Clearest in the calm season

Water

13 to 29°C

3mm wetsuit

Month by month

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Water (°C)	14	13	14	15	18	22	25	26	24	21	17	14
Vis (m)	8	8	10	12	15	15	15	15	15	12	10	8
Current	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Gentle	Gentle	Gentle	Gentle	Gentle	Gentle	Gentle	Moderate	Moderate