Rhodes

Use a check dive if you have been dry for a while. Carry an SMB, stay close to your guide in swim-throughs, keep hands off rock and archaeological material, and surface only where boat crews expect you. South-coast wreck and Marine Park dives can have stronger current or rougher surface conditions than Kalithea. Avoid alcohol-heavy evenings before early boats, plan no-fly intervals conservatively, and keep hydrated during hot surface intervals. Freedivers should never dive alone and should use a visible buoy and trained buddy.

Emergency response starts with 112 for life-threatening incidents and 108 for Hellenic Coast Guard maritime emergencies. Rhodes has public and private medical facilities, including Rhodes General Hospital and private clinics such as Euromedica. Do not assume a recompression chamber is available on-island or immediately accessible. Before your first dive, ask your operator and insurer about the current DCI plan, oxygen availability, DAN contact procedure, and evacuation route if hyperbaric treatment is required elsewhere.

Rhodes waters are part of a wider Greek conservation and cultural-protection landscape. No-touch diving matters because rocky reefs, seagrass, octopus dens, monk seal habitat, turtle nesting beaches, and underwater antiquities all need distance. Do not feed fish, chase turtles or seals, remove shells, disturb marked nests, anchor in seagrass, or collect objects from wrecks. Around Butterfly Valley, keep voices low and do not disturb resting butterflies. Around any archaeological route, follow the authorized guide and permitted path.