General:
The diving route of Pentanisos cave is located in one of the five rock islets on the East side of Lindos, Rhodes. This diving route combines a remarkable underwater cave with a uniquely impressive wall, with flourishing underwater life. The dive commences at 3 meters depth and after a smooth transition at 9 meters through rocks, a steep wall appears where in goes down to 20 meters depth. There is located the entrance of the cave, with a noticeable entrance, leading to an astonishing dome. This dome is illuminated through a crevice where the ascent is taking place at 10 meters depth. This diving route is recommended for experience advanced open water divers, escorted from local diving guides familiar with the cave.
Details:
The route commences from Lardos pier with speedboat and lasts for 20 minutes (alternatively from Lindos pier, 8 minutes).
The dive commences from this shallow point following SE a smooth incline to a steep wall, where at 22 meters plateau we encounter the entrance of Pentanisos cave.
We penetrate the cave to the left, with the help of a flashlight, observing both benthic organisms (sponges, ascidians, bryozoans and small Lindian shrimps).
At the centre of the cave, we encounter an impressive circular dome with a diameter of 20 meters and a height of 11 meters. On the roof of the dome there is a crack opening through which the sunbeams enter, creating an overwhelming illumination.
The cave requires very good buoyancy to minimize turbidity. Ascent commences through this crack, leading to a shallow plateau 9-10 meters. Above the cave on the plateau, we find an impressive spectacle with the bubbles of the exhalation of divers from the cave gushing in front of us.
Then we follow a very nice route along the wall in the isobath of 5-6 meters to the NW of the islet where we decompress while gradually emerge.