Where to snorkel in Crimea. Diving in Crimea - the underwater world with your own eyes. Diving sites

Fans of active recreation often choose Crimea, and this is no coincidence: there are all the conditions for diving, which is popular among young people. Of course, the Black Sea of ​​Crimea cannot be compared with the Red Sea of ​​Egypt, where the underwater world is much richer and more diverse. However, the peninsula has many interesting dive sites, as well as dive training centers and dive equipment stores. The top diving spots are located in Sudak, Olenevka, Balaklava, Novy Svet and Sevastopol.

Exploring the underwater world of Crimea is an exciting activity for lovers of archaeological excavations. At a depth of several tens of meters there is a layer of hydrogen sulfide, under which all the most interesting natural objects at the bottom are hidden. In addition to unique marine animals, plants and fish, you can find unique historical exhibits here: the history of Crimea is connected with different peoples, their culture and customs. Divers often find various household items, weapons, ancient coins and other artifacts at depth.

If you do not have experience diving to great depths, do not be afraid or embarrassed by this fact: experienced instructors will teach you the basics of diving, explain safety precautions when diving, and you will be able to discover the Crimean peninsula from the most unusual side.

Interesting!
Diving will allow you to do what is impossible to do on land: feed fish by hand, explore ancient caves, swim through the rusty walls of a sunken ship.

Many people think that diving is a sport. However, diving is actually about more than just an emotional experience. Only at a depth of several tens of meters can you experience true freedom of body and soul. It is the underwater world that will give you the opportunity to get acquainted with the place where all life on earth originates.

Where can you go diving in Crimea?

Cape Aya

The site was initially closed to diving. But as soon as the bay opened for recreation, divers from all over Crimea, as well as guests of the peninsula, began to gather here. The highlight of this place is a large number of anchors scattered at a depth of approximately 15 meters, they are located one after another in the form of a chain so that tourists can capture this beautiful composition. This place was called Anchor Alley. Many divers strive to dive here to get a closer look at the ancient anchors.


Cape Fiolent

Initially, this place was nicknamed “Tigor's Cape” because of the cliffs of gray and yellow limestone. The coastal strip of Fiolent is replete with picturesque harbors, fjords, mysterious grottoes and mysterious dark caves. One of these intriguing places is the 12 m deep Diana’s Grotto. The bases of Mount Orestes and Pilate are no less interesting for tourists. In the crystal clear water you can spot pretty pearlescent fish, as well as crabs and hermit crabs in the crevices between the rocks. Divers who decide to dive deep in this place must observe safety precautions: this area is characterized by strong underwater currents.

New World Bay

The sea in the bays of Sudak and Novy Svet is recognized as one of the cleanest and most transparent. You will get to these bays by passing the “Heaven and Hell” mountain range along the road. New World offers tourists three bays for diving: Blue, Green and Blue. The names are not related to the color of the water and are conditional. Immersed in clear waters, you can truly relax, contemplating picturesque boulders, algae and watching colorful fish. The bay is suitable for diving for both professional and beginner divers.

Tarkhankut

Tarkhankut attracts divers interested in history and artifacts of distant eras. It was on Tarkhankut that shipwrecks most often occurred, so here you can always find ancient coins, vessels, weapons and household items from sunken ships. Thanks to the clearest water here, you can always see the bottom, even if the sea is choppy. Tarkhankut is safe: here professional divers can improve their skills and beginners can gain experience.

Quite famous Cape Chersonese

This cape is also of interest to history buffs: when diving here you can find antique vessels from Ancient Greece, as well as the remains of combat aircraft from the Second World War. Diving near Cape Chersonesus requires experience; diving here is quite difficult for beginners.


Cape Meganom

The dive sites in the area of ​​Cape Meganom are distinguished by a depth of 20 m, a diverse underwater world, as well as grottoes and caves of volcanic origin. The high transparency of the water allows spearfishing competitions to be held here. There are many legends and fascinating stories associated with this cape that are passed down from generation to generation.

Where to learn diving in Crimea

Crimea has a huge number of dive clubs where you can learn diving and receive a certificate upon completion of the courses. The most prestigious dive clubs on the peninsula are Black Sea Divers, Team Nikolaev, White Griffin and Atoll. These clubs offer different training programs for beginners and professional divers. Beginners take a dive here with a professional instructor, which lasts 30 minutes. The pricing policies of different diving clubs vary: prices for diving with an instructor can cost from 2,000 rubles and more. Training to obtain a certificate will cost you 12,000 rubles. The courses include theoretical and practical parts. During the classes you will receive detailed information about diving equipment and its operation, practice diving techniques and learn diving safety techniques. The courses are conducted by qualified and experienced instructors - true fans of their craft, who guarantee the results of the lessons and further interest in diving.


If you wanted to learn diving, but didn’t dare, throw away all your fears and doubts and sign up for courses in Crimea! Trust our professional instructors, and you will definitely succeed!

First dive (VIDEO)

Let's conclude

Diving in Crimea is available for both experienced divers and beginners (and the prices are not too bad). Guests trying their hand at diving for the first time can take an introductory dive with an instructor. Professional divers can undergo training and improve their skills by diving to different depths in different places on the peninsula. Vivid emotions and rich impressions contribute to the fact that tourists who have once tried diving want to experience these sensations again and again, gaining experience in different bays of Crimea.

Reviews confirm that diving in Crimea is in no way inferior to similar leisure activities in the most interesting corners of Europe. Well, who among us in childhood did not dream, at least for a day, of becoming like the amphibian man from the immortal novel by A. Belyaev and plunging into the depths of the sea in order to unravel its exciting secrets? The invention of scuba gear provided the opportunity for diving to almost everyone - both beginners and experts. You can read about the best places for diving on the Crimean peninsula and find out prices in 2019 for this entertainment below.

Crimea: best diving spots

There are all conditions for diving in Crimea. The underwater landscapes off the coast of the peninsula are incredibly picturesque, and specialized centers where it is easy to rent equipment are available at all popular resorts. You can dive everywhere in Taurida, but professionals have chosen several places here where the conditions are most favorable for this. These include:

Cape Tarkhankut . It is famous for its amazing landscapes, masses of grottoes and caves, and amazing transparency. It is no coincidence that the legendary and Soviet blockbuster were filmed here. attracts with its versatility. Professionals travel through the Valley of Anchors or K, located at a depth of 14-25 m. Experienced amateurs can take a unique dive trip to the Alley of Leaders and a tour of the Chucha Tunnel. Beginner divers enjoy diving to 6 m to the Neptune Grotto.

Balaklava and Sevastopol . Here you will feel like real archaeologists, doing excavations in Quarantine Bay or near the ancient one. Who knows, maybe among the fragments of ceramics you will be lucky enough to find a whole amphora or an antique coin, and nearby - a relic from the Second World War. Professionals will enjoy a 20-meter descent to the Dragon Cave and a journey through the intricate labyrinths of the Sinister Rocks. Beginners will admire the marine life in the shallow Omega Cove. At a distance of 100-200 m from the shore lie the remains of several sunken ships and aircraft.

New World and Sudak . Experienced divers here are interested in the picturesque Graviynaya Bay, teeming with inhabitants of the underwater world. To get to its bottom, you need to dive to 30 m. In Zelenaya harbor it is worth searching for historical artifacts, and inspecting a torpedo bomber that sank during the war. Beginners can dive at Cape Alchak, the coastal zones of which are densely populated with fish and crustaceans.

Yalta . In the vicinity of the popular resort there are no places that are particularly interesting for Crimean diving. But the coastal landscapes are very beautiful. There are amazingly beautiful karst caves in the area. The object of attention will undoubtedly be several sunken small ships.

Evpatoria . The depths of the sea near cities with ancient history are always of interest to divers. So, during a dive, you can examine the ruins of ancient buildings and port structures that once sank into the depths, the wrecks of ships, or look at historical artifacts.

Diving in Crimea for beginners: training and dive centers

Vacationers who have never scuba dived do it without difficulty for the first time in Crimea. In specialized centers, beginners will undergo a course of theoretical training, learn how to handle and use equipment. After this, they will have practical training. Trial dives are carried out to no more than 15 m and are accompanied by an instructor.

A one-day lesson, consisting of a theoretical part and practice, lasts about 3 hours, and costs from 2500 to 3000 rubles. In this case, a novice diver spends about 35 minutes directly under water. Those interested take a more advanced course, lasting 3 or 5 days. The cost in this case ranges from 8,000 to 12,000 rubles.

As practice shows, a healthy person can become a diver at almost any age. Scuba diving in Crimea is contraindicated for people suffering from claustrophobia, asthma, epilepsy, and diseases of the cardiovascular system. Otherwise, there are no restrictions, so feel free to book your first diving excursion on our website.

Best diving centers

There are diving centers at any major resort in Crimea. The most popular of these establishments are:

  • "Tarkhankut" in Olenevka. Provides services for conducting walks with an instructor, organizing diving, renting equipment, equipment, renting SUEX underwater tugs.
  • Black Sea Divers in Sevastopol. It features a wide selection of package services designed for both beginners and certified divers.
  • "Afalina" in Olenevka. It provides a unique opportunity to learn the basics of diving almost free of charge for volunteers who want to combine work at the center with training.
  • LEXX in . Organizes the best diving in the waters of Laspi, which is a green pearl between Foros and Sevastopol.
  • "Varyag" in . The center is located next to the fantastic and fascinating Kapsel Bay. The closest object of interest is a sunken torpedo boat 300 m from the complex.

Interesting types of diving in Crimea. Prices in 2019

In addition to classic diving excursions, on the Crimean Peninsula, holidaymakers and wanderlust lovers are offered colorful views of descents into the depths of the sea, which will leave an unforgettable impression.

So, in Sudak, tourists turn into treasure hunters. Divers dive with Excalibur-2 metal detectors that can operate in water. If luck smiles, the diver will add coins, jewelry and even jewelry made of precious metals to his trophy collection. Entertainment price – 2730 rub.

If you come to Russia and your birthday falls on vacation, celebrate it with friends on the day, where you will find a gift prepared by your loved ones - a bouquet and a bottle of champagne. All the action is filmed on camera. You should definitely try such an original way to celebrate the holiday. Price – 3000 rubles.

To feel like a member of the famous Cousteau’s team, it is not at all necessary to sink to the bottom of the sea in a bathyscaphe. It is enough to come to Foros and take a dive at the picturesque one, wearing a helmet with panoramic glasses, into which air is pumped from the surface. The feeling is simply fantastic. Cost – 2100 rub.

Professionals will certainly be interested in a three-day diving safari to the main attractions of Crimea. You have to make 12 dives near Balaklava and Sevastopol. The tour costs about 30,000 rubles, which is a lot, but the impressions from such a vacation will be much greater!

Crimea can rightfully be considered the best place for diving in the entire CIS, not only Russia. There is all the infrastructure necessary for this, and nature itself generously rewarded the Crimean coast with natural underwater beauties. Come and see for yourself!

Experienced divers have identified the most interesting diving spots in Crimea in the Black Sea. Diving in Crimea is especially interesting from a historical point of view. In Crimea there is not such an abundance of colorful fish or coral reefs as in Turkey or Egypt, but there are many interesting objects that amaze with their uniqueness.

What is at the bottom of the Black Sea?

The underwater kingdom of Crimea is a real Kolondike for archeology lovers. The unusual history of the peninsula has left a significant mark on the depths of the sea. The hydrogen sulfide layer, which begins at a depth of several tens of meters, practically preserves all objects that fall to the bottom.

Scientists claim that near the coast you can find many ancient ships that are several hundred and thousands of years old. Serious scientific research has never been carried out here before. Considering how many military battles took place here and trade routes that operated for thousands of years, one can imagine what sensational finds can be found.

In ancient times, ships of the Colchis kingdom sailed along the Crimean coast, after which Greek sailors actively explored it. The Greeks built entire cities in Crimea, each of which had its own fleet. The most developed fleet here was created by the Bosporan state. After this, thousands of Roman and Byzantine galleys plied the Black Sea for many years.

In the Middle Ages, ships of the Tmutarakan principality began to ply the coast. There were also Genoese, Venetian and Pisan traders here. After them came Turkish ships, which left traces here for many centuries. The Crimean and Great Patriotic Wars left their mark.

According to some reports, 1,588 warships, civilian vessels and aircraft rest at the bottom of the Black Sea.

Among them are the 66-gun battleship "St. Alexander", the auxiliary mine cruiser "Bug", which sank in 1922 in the Kerkinitsky Bay, and the transport "Jean-Zhores", which sank in Feodosia Bay in 1942.

The English sailing ship Agnes Blakey from the Crimean War, the motor ship Lenin, which sank near Cape Sarych in 1941, the submarine Skat from the times of Tsarist Russia, which was sunk off the coast of Sevastopol in 1919, found refuge on the seabed, and This is by no means a complete list.

Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea is the most beautiful place for diving. This place has many interesting underwater objects and a unique bottom topography. Many underwater canyons with numerous underwater grottoes and caves begin here. If you have experience in swimming to great depths, you will be able to appreciate the most interesting underwater places in Crimea.

Dive site No. 1 - “Volga-Don”

It is located on Cape Tarkhankut at a depth of 30 m. The transport ship, captured by the Germans in 1941, was heading for Sevastopol with military cargo in 1943, but was torpedoed by the Soviet submarine L-6. The Volga-Don is considered one of the largest and most intact wrecks in the Black Sea.



Dive site No. 2 - “Tsarevich Alexei”

It is located on Cape Tarkhankut at a depth of 52 m. In 1916, the ship “Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich” sank from an explosion. In Soviet times, there was an attempt to raise the ship, but it did not work, and it sank again. Only divers who have good experience in diving to great depths can inspect it.



Dive site No. 3 – Underwater Museum “Alley of Leaders”

It is located near the village of Olenevka, at a depth of 13 m. Here you can see an underwater gallery of busts of party leaders of the Soviet Union and various artists. At the very bottom there is a sign with an inscription that it was discovered on August 25, 1992 by Donetsk diver Vladimir Borumensky.

The idea of ​​​​creating the “Alley of Leaders” over time was embodied in the idea of ​​​​creating an underwater museum - there appeared a sculpture of the Eiffel Tower, the Twin Towers, the Dinosaur and many other underwater embodiments of the imagination of divers. Currently, the museum has more than 60 exhibits. If you wish, you can present your own exhibit at the exhibition, leaving your mark on the underwater history of the peninsula.


Dive site No. 4 – Bottle Grotto

It is located to the west of the “Turtle” rock under one of the islands at a depth of 10 m. The grotto in its outline resembles a giant bottle, the neck of which is crowned with a small “puddle” on the island; the underwater entrance to the grotto is located at a depth of 10 m. The “Bottle” itself represents It is a hall about 10 m in diameter, in the middle of which stands a large flat stone - a table.

It is traditional here to present certificates to divers, marking this event with an unforgettable ritual with champagne underwater. At this time, the neck of the “Bottle” on the island is literally boiling from rising air bubbles. Even if you have been a happy owner of a certificate for a long time, no one forbids you to celebrate the happy event again! Tradition is tradition.



Dive site No. 5 – “Bowl of Love” Grotto

This is perhaps the most romantic place under water. Accessible even for beginners! 8 km from the village of Olenevka at a depth of 14 km there is a small natural pool, fenced from the sea by stone blocks, shaped like a heart. At a depth of about 3 m there is a tunnel leading to the sea (it was through this hole that Ichthyander swam in the film “Amphibian Man”).

There is a belief that by jumping into the “Cup of Love” holding hands, you can check whether it is worth getting married.

If a couple does not release their hands after jumping into the bowl, then the union will be strong, love and mutual understanding will reign in the family. If the couple opens their hands, then it is better to refrain from getting married. Over time, the legend was slightly modified. Now it is believed that for a strong relationship it is enough to simply bathe together in the “Cup of Love”. This place has become a favorite for couples in love.


Even if you have never tried diving to greater depths, you always have the opportunity to fix it. After completing a short training course, you will get to know Crimea from one of its most interesting sides.

Just think that you will have the opportunity not only to feed the fish by hand, but also to explore mysterious caves and swim through the rusty corridors of a sunken ship.

You will find yourself in a completely different, mysterious and unique underwater world.

Diving is not a sport at all, as they sometimes say. Diving is a feeling of complete freedom. Freedom of thought, freedom of body, freedom of soul. Only when you find yourself underwater, where there are no shackles of gravity and civilization, where everything is completely different from on earth, among the abyss of the blue sea, can you understand what diving is like.

You will find yourself in the world from which all life on the planet originated. Once in the underwater world, you will definitely want to return to it again and again.

Ivan Popov with an article about interesting underwater objects of Crimea. Objects, diving to which, every diving enthusiast will receive a considerable dose of exciting impressions.

I won’t beat around the bush, but will immediately give the floor to Ivan...

There are many interesting places to relax on the Crimean Peninsula. Here you can find castles, natural monuments, and museums. This is where people come for the amazing treasures of the deep sea.

Diving in Crimea is a great experience for both professionals and beginners. Almost anywhere on the peninsula there is a dive center, whose experienced instructors will be happy to show you many monuments of past centuries hidden under water.

Experienced divers combine savage relaxation with interesting dives. So where should you definitely dive in Crimea?

Ship "Varna"

Diving in Crimea is always interesting, especially when it comes to sunken ships.

The Bulgarian ship "Varna" annually attracts a huge number of divers of various levels of training to the village of Popovka. Undoubtedly, it will be interesting to study this historical monument on your own.

During World War II, the ship Varna transported guns and ammunition across the Black Sea for the needs of the German army. In the area of ​​Cape Tarkhankut, the ship was attacked by a Soviet submarine. Two fired shells pierced the Varna's skin and hit the ammunition compartment, which led to an explosion. The ship sank, breaking into two parts.

The ship is well preserved. The hull, deck and bow of the Varna with its anti-aircraft gun have remained virtually unchanged. The stern part came off from the explosion and lies nearby. Divers are free to explore the ship, which is already covered in barnacles and growths.

Underwater monument to Cousteau

In 2010, in honor of the centenary of the birth of the great oceanographer and scuba inventor Jacques Cousteau, an unusual underwater monument was opened.

60 meters from the coast of the city of Alushta there is a granite slab with the profile of an oceanologist and words of gratitude from everyone who uses his invention.

The location was chosen symbolically: Jacques Cousteau himself was in this city and took part in a deep diving competition held in 1968.

For divers, the monument has become something of a shrine. Entire galleries and labyrinths of stones lead to the attraction, through which anyone can swim with pleasure. The bottom of the entire road to the monument is strewn with multi-colored pebbles of various sizes. The dive site itself is simply created for diving, and people who decide to dive for the first time should start there.

Not far from the coast there are many diving centers, places for renting wetsuits and scuba gear. You can hire an instructor who will supervise your dive.

The ship "Jean Jaurès"

Fans of extreme diving should visit the French cargo ship Jean Jaurès, which sank in 1942.

The 112-meter giant, during the Kerch-Feodosia operation by Soviet troops, ran into a German mine and, together with all the cargo and crew on board, sank to the bottom. Most of the explosives remained in the hold and pose a serious threat to anyone who wants to explore the ship.

It often happened that other ships collided with the Jean Jaurès lying at shallow depths, so it was fenced off with buoys. Every year, local divers lay flowers at the ship in memory of the lost ships.

"Jean Jaurès" is well preserved, despite serious damage. Almost all the portholes and ammunition boxes are intact. Unfortunately, the ship is gradually sinking into the silt, and may soon disappear completely under it.

Those people who are interested in seeing this historical monument are recommended to visit it as soon as possible. Diving in Crimea, especially off the coast of Feodosia, where many objects rest (including the steamship Tsarevich Alexei, which sank at the beginning of the last century), is rapidly gaining popularity.

Tarkhankut is one of the most popular diving spots. In addition to all sorts of labyrinths, underwater caves and tempting grottoes, colorful marine life, you can visit the famous “Alley of Leaders”. It presents busts of the most famous rulers and small copies of monuments.

Many will probably remember these landscapes. It was here that the famous Soviet films “Pirates of the 20th Century” and “Amphibian Man” were filmed.

Diving in Crimea is designed for people of different skill levels. There are interesting diving spots for beginners and professionals alike.

And on this pleasant note we will end today’s story about the underwater objects of Crimea. I hope that Ivan will continue to delight us with useful information about the Crimean Peninsula in general and diving in particular, so do not forget to subscribe to blog updates.

Thank you for your attention. Bye.

Best regards, Sergey Drozdov.


P. S. If you have any questions after reading the article, do not hesitate to ask in the comments.

P. P. S. You can familiarize yourself with the topics that will be covered in the near future at.

Diving– a popular form of active recreation these days. Many people, in search of fresh experiences, tend to go to exotic countries like Australia or Tunisia, but in Ukraine there are many places where you can scuba dive. Every year it becomes more and more popular diving in Crimea. More and more places are being discovered here by both professionals and beginners.

Diving sites. Balaclava.

Lots of good ones scuba diving sites located in the Balaklava area.

Anchor Alley- a vivid example of how, thanks to divers underwater, a new attraction can arise. In this case, we are talking about an alley of anchors from different eras at a depth of 15 meters.

TO arniz– if you head towards Cape Aya, you can dive near the first steep cliff of the Inzhir tract. The peculiarity of this place is that the further you move underwater, the more the rock hangs over you. The depth is reduced to 6-8 meters.

Catherine's Grotto– an impressively sized grotto with a rocky bottom and a depth of 4 to 9 meters. At the end of the grotto you can find a fresh spring, where you can observe a very interesting phenomenon called the halocline (a visible layer of water with an increased level of salinity that occurs at the boundary of fresh and salt water).

Dragon Cave

Also interesting for the abundance of underwater caves. The Dragon Cave is located near Cape Aya at a depth of 20 meters. It got its unusual name due to its oblong shape with a slight slope and a rock at the entrance that resembles a dragon’s head.

lost World

Among the many diving sites near Cape Aya, not least occupied by the Lost World - an interesting pile of boulders with a large number of grottoes. The depth here reaches 18 meters.

Diving sites. Sevastopol.

– this is not only Balaclava. Many interesting dive sites are located near Sevastopol.

Cape Fiolent

A beautiful place not far from Sevastopol. The unique bottom topography, clear water and canyons will not leave any diver indifferent. The main attractions are the “Grotto of Diana”, the rocks of Orestes and Pilate. In the vicinity of the cape you can find the remains of shipwrecks and get acquainted with different species of fish.

Chersonesos lighthouse– thanks to the changeable current, you can find a variety of representatives of the underwater world here: from stingrays to flounder. The maximum depth is 50 meters.

Chersonesos port- another place associated with the Greek colony on the territory of the Crimean Peninsula. Depth – 6-12 meters. There are still fragments of ancient ceramics on the ground.

Omega Bay- what a novice diver needs. Depth from 4 to 15 meters. Thanks to the sandy bottom, visibility here is excellent.

Ominous Rocks– when the sun disappears behind the clouds, you can understand why the rocks were named that way. The play of light creates a truly ominous picture. The depth reaches 24 meters. There are also several canyons, similar to a large labyrinth.

Cossack Bay– at a depth of 18-20 meters you can find the remains of ancient shipwrecks here.

35 battery– a place where, first of all, lovers of military antiquities, such as shells, cannonballs, etc., want to visit.

Diving sites. Cape Tarkhankut.

And of course diving in Crimea impossible without visiting Cape Tarkhankut, which is rightfully considered one of the best places for diving in Crimea. Magical underwater landscapes, clear water, remains of sunken ships and planes, lost valuables - all this attracts adventurers and lovers of antiquities.

Among the attractions of Tarkhankut are: "Alley of Leaders". This underwater museum at a depth of 12 meters was created by the divers themselves. The museum consists of busts of communist leaders and political leaders from the history of the USSR. There are also special diving clubs here where a beginner can learn scuba dive.