Discover Greece’s Underwater Beauty
Did you know that 71% of the planet is covered in water and that the oceans hold about 96.5% of Earth’s water? Ever wonder why Greece’s pristine waters are so famous? Interested in discovering more about the health of its plant and animal life, the fishing industry, and the attraction it holds to Greeks and millions of international visitors?
Learn about it all and take a deep dive with Blue Sea Greece!
Program and Purpose
Blue Sea Greece is a collaboration between the ACG Center for Excellence in Sustainability and The Demos Center.
It is a summer academic program focused on the biology and sustainability of the sea, combining a 4-credit (transferable) Environmental Studies course, including some field work to be performed at local beaches (cleanup visits) and OPTIONAL SCUBA dives for those who have SCUBA certification. Students that are not certified, may take discretionary SCUBA certification lessons that will be offered by the Seal Dive Center just before and during the course, so that they can dive during our field trips. Seals will be paid directly by students, for the certification and/or all optional dives and outings during the course.
The course aims to teach young people how to appreciate, respect and protect Greece’s extraordinary, world-famous blue seas; generate interest in more Environmental Studies courses; encourage participants to become more involved in other environmental and sustainable practice activities sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Sustainability, and, most importantly, to become lifelong conservationists and SCUBA divers.
Is Blue Sea Greece for you?
The program is ideal for
- Current Deree students
- Study abroad students interested in a summer course at Deree
- Any certified SCUBA diver who wants an academic course in Environmental Studies focused on the sea
A Balanced Curriculum
Students enrolled in the program will:
- Attend classroom lectures and discussions.
- Participate in various beach cleanups around Greece and, optionally, the sea floor in manageable, shallow waters.
- The program will also offer bonus dives (paid separately and directly to the Seals) and could include Greece’s precious underwater archaeological sites so that participants can witness the effects of climate change on already protected marine environments.
Duration
The Blue Sea Greece academic program will launch in Summer I, May 20, 2025 – June 16, 2025. (Depending on demand, another session could be added in Summer II.)
Students of the Blue Seas Greece program that wish to participate in the optional diving activities, should be able to present a SCUBA certification. Alternatively, they can obtain a certification from the Seals Diving Center.
During the Blue Sea Greece academic program, the Seals Dive Center will offer OPTIONAL SCUBA certification training by its master diver/instructor/owner, Ioannis Zagonakis and his experienced dive instructor team.
The three-week course involves an online introductory self-directed first week, a second week of instruction in the ACG campus pool and, in the third and final week, there will be several open water dives near Athens. The diving course includes equipment rental, e-learning materials, transportation, PADI certification, and diving insurance during the course. The cost for certification is 695€ (inclusive), to be paid directly to the Seals Diving Center.
April 28 – May Online. Self-directed.
May 5 – May 9 Deree pool (Hours TBA)
May 12 – 18 Open water instruction (Hours TBA)
*All the gear will be returned to the Seals at the conclusion of the course. If the student is serious about a future in diving, we recommend they purchase their own mask, snorkel and fins prior to the commencement of the course.
**Students are required to fill out ALL required paperwork issued by the Seals to take the course and to dive.
***Students must fill out ALL required paperwork issued by the Deree Athletic Department to use the pool.
**SCUBA diving certification is optional and paid separately to the Seals Diving Center directly.
| New Students Blue Sea Pricing | USD | EURO |
| Tuition 4 credits | $1,626 | 1.478 € |
| Double Room (no meal plan included) | $1,623 | 1.475 € |
| Airport transfer | $66 | 60 € |
| Matriculation fee | $55 | 50 € |
| Other service fees | $55 | 50 € |
| Transportation to Dive sites (2 excursions) | $55 | 50 € |
| Total Student Costs – Double room | $3,479 | 3.163 € |
| Total Student Costs – Single room | $4,211 | 3.828 € |
| Total Student Costs – Studio | $4,656 | 4.233 € |
| Study Abroad Students Blue Sea Pricing (includes airport and field trip transport) | USD | EURO |
| Total Student Costs – Double room | $3,479 | 3.163 € |
| Total Student Costs – Single room | $4,211 | 3.828 € |
| Total Student Costs – Studio | $4,656 | 4.233 € |
| Continuing Students Blue Sea Pricing (field trip transport included) | USD | EURO |
| Tuition 4 credits | $1,626 | 1.478 € |
| Transportation to Dive sites | $55 | 50 € |
| Other service fees | $55 | 50 € |
| Total Student Costs – Double room | $1,736 | 1.578 € |
For more information about Blue Sea Greece, please email:
Dr. Stella Apostolaki: [email protected]
Dr. Mary Cardaras: [email protected]
Christos Koutras: [email protected]
Are you a Deree student and ready to dive into a world of aquatic adventures? Then make a splash and join the Deree Aqua Club. Learn more here.
If you’re eager to keep exploring the depths beyond the end of Blue Sea Greece, reach out to Ioannis Zagonakis at [email protected].