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 program focused on the biology and sustainability of the sea, combining a 4-credit (transferable) Environmental Studies course with outings for beach cleanups and exciting, optional SCUBA dives for those who are certified. SCUBA certification courses will be offered through the Seal Dive Center at Deree just before and during the course so that students can dive during our travels.
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 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, 2024 – June 14, 2024. Depending on demand, another session could be added in Summer II.
Enrollment is limited to 20 to provide the maximum experience given the nature of the course.
SCUBA diving is one of the most incredible experiences you will ever have, and we hope you will become lifelong divers and marine conservationists.
Blue Sea Greece offers optional SCUBA certification, which involves an introductory online portion in our campus pool and, for the final part of the certification, during several open water dives near Athens through the Seals Diving Center and its master diver/instructor/owner, Ioannis Zagonakis.
*SCUBA certification is optional; however, students will NOT be allowed to dive without appropriate certification.
The cost is 530€ (inclusive), to be paid directly to the Seals Diving Center.
The course includes equipment rental, e-learning materials, transportation, PADI certification, and diving insurance during the course.
Week of May 13: Intensive online certification class
Monday, May 20: 11:30 AM @ Deree pool #1 with Seals SCUBA instructors
Wednesday, May 22: 11:30 AM @ Deree pool #2 with Seals SCUBA instructors
Thursday, May 23: 11:30 AM @ Deree pool #3 with Seals SCUBA instructors
Friday, May 24: 11:30 AM @ Deree pool #4 with Seals SCUBA instructors
Saturday/Sunday, May 25 & 26: Open Water Dive #1 (Meet Seals SCUBA instructors @ Deree pool @ 9:30 AM for transportation to sea)
Monday, May 27: 11:30 AM @ Deree pool #5 with Seals SCUBA instructors
Wednesday, May 29: Open Water Dive #2 (Meet Seals SCUBA instructors @ Deree pool @ 11:30 AM for transportation to sea)
Friday, May 31: Open Water Dive #3 (Meet Seals SCUBA instructors @ Deree pool @ 11:30 AM for transportation to sea)
Saturday/Sunday, June 1 & 2: FINAL Open Water Dive #4 (Meet Seals SCUBA instructors @ Deree pool @ 9:30 AM for transportation to sea)
*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 € |
| Continuing Students Blue Sea Pricing | 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].