Halkidiki · Greece · Reef · Coral garden
Pagona Deep Gorgonians
Gorgonian-covered seabed from 24 m, groupers and dentex
Area photo: id.nfero · CC BY-SA 3.0
The shallowest of Sithonia's deep gorgonian reefs, starting at 24 m with the seabed covered in gorgonians from that depth and descending to 70 m. The operator lists it as a Deep Diver site. Groupers are the usual company in these depths, and dentex are not uncommon along the reef.
Where it is and how deep
39.9470° N, 23.9250° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
Pagona starts at 24 m, the shallowest of Sithonia's deep gorgonian reefs, and that 24 m is the top of the site rather than a stop on the way: the seabed is covered with gorgonians from that depth downward. You descend directly onto the fans and set up along the reef at the planned depth, because the rock then descends to 70 m and offers no shallow section to fall back on if the plan drifts.
The route follows the gorgonian-covered seabed at the agreed depth. In these depths you often encounter groupers, and it is not uncommon to spot dentex along the reef, both fish that reward the slow pace a deep profile demands. The turn is on depth or gas, and the ascent runs back up over the fans into the water column for the required stops.
Marine life and season
- Groupers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-season | Off-season | Off-season | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Off-season | Off-season |
Season follows Halkidiki: Boat trips and Try Scuba run April to October; courses are sold year-round, but the sea sits around 14 °C from January to March.
Know before you go
- Depth: the gorgonians start at 24 m and the reef descends to 70 m; the operator calls it a challenging site, so agree a hard maximum and turn pressure before the descent.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Pagona Deep Gorgonians?+
The gorgonians begin at 24 m and the reef descends to 70 m. The operator lists the site as Deep Diver, and the recreational portion of the dive is the upper band of the fans.
Sources
- Pagona Deep Gorgonians - Scubago — Scubago
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