With water visibility frequently exceeding 30 meters, warm summer temperatures, and calm, gentle currents, the sea surrounding Elounda provides exceptional conditions for scuba diving and snorkeling. Local professional dive centers offer customized trips for all skill levels, from introductory discovery dives for absolute beginners to advanced wreck and cavern excursions for certified divers.

Key local dive sites include the submerged structural walls of ancient Olous, underwater caves and swim-throughs near the Kolokytha peninsula, and rocky drop-offs rich in marine life like octopus, groupers, moray eels, and vibrant sea sponges. Snorkelers can explore calm, clear shallows right off Plaka and Kolokytha beaches.