Evelin Dive Center
Evelin Dive Center
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Welcome to Evelin Dive Center. We are a PADI 5 STAR INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT DIVE CENTER located in Platanes-Rethymno & Georgioupolis, established in 2012. We offer scuba try dives for beginners, boat & shore fun diving, PADI Dive Courses, snorkeling day trips and training all the way up to dive professional. We deliver world-famous Greek hospitality to divers from across the globe. Whether you’re a diving veteran or a thrill-seeking new starter, we offer a professional, multilingual service that will show you the very best of Crete’s underwater beauty and its dive sites. Our goal is to reveal the excitement and adventures of the underwater world and to provide you with high quality dives, in the same way that we would like to experience them ourselves.
Platanias, Rethymnon Prefecture, Greece
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2023
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Evelin Dive Center
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(41 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
265 reviews
Excellent
239
Very good
14
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Dai B
Newport15 contributions
Jul 2020
These guys are quite simply amazing. Without doubt one of the best all round dive experiences I have ever had. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and very professional. They bent over backwards to accomodate our varied needs.
In total we booked four dives for the certified divers in our party, two bubble makers for my youngest daughter and her cousin, and a discover scuba. My eldest son and I joined the little bubble makers for a truly magical diving experince, whilst my eldest daughter joined her aunt who was doing the try dive. The instructers were just amazing, so calm and patient with the little ones, who were not the easiest to teach, I will admit. But diving with my 8 year daugher was unforgetable experience.
The proper dives were off boat, in warm, clear water with plenty to see. On our second day we did the Elephant Cave, which I heartily recommend. The cave itself is so very beautiful, full of stalagtites and stalagmites and you simply float along on your back enjoying it's splendour.
The Scuba Diving Community is a truly international group of comrades, and these trips were full of good humour, swapped stories and experiences. It was a joy to be a part of it all.
So in summary, Evelin Dive Center is a great place to go if you're looking at Scuba Diving at any level. I cannot recommend them enough.
In total we booked four dives for the certified divers in our party, two bubble makers for my youngest daughter and her cousin, and a discover scuba. My eldest son and I joined the little bubble makers for a truly magical diving experince, whilst my eldest daughter joined her aunt who was doing the try dive. The instructers were just amazing, so calm and patient with the little ones, who were not the easiest to teach, I will admit. But diving with my 8 year daugher was unforgetable experience.
The proper dives were off boat, in warm, clear water with plenty to see. On our second day we did the Elephant Cave, which I heartily recommend. The cave itself is so very beautiful, full of stalagtites and stalagmites and you simply float along on your back enjoying it's splendour.
The Scuba Diving Community is a truly international group of comrades, and these trips were full of good humour, swapped stories and experiences. It was a joy to be a part of it all.
So in summary, Evelin Dive Center is a great place to go if you're looking at Scuba Diving at any level. I cannot recommend them enough.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Dai, many thanks for the great review!!
It was a pleasure meeting & diving with you all!! I hope your scuba family will expand in the future & we get to dive again together one day!
Until then we wish you all the best & stay healthy!
Evelin dive center team
Written September 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patrick M
London, UK30 contributions
Aug 2020
We were staying in Georgioupolis and Evelin has a small site on Kalivaki Beach. I booked a bubblemaker course for my 8 year old and 10 year old and I went with them. I had done a discover scuba course once before in Mexico before I had children, so my no means am I any expert, but I thought it would be a good experience for my boys.
The female instructor led all of us off the beach and into the depths of the sea. Kalivaki beach itself is strange because a cold stream enters the warm ocean. So on the surface the water is very cold, but below about a meter it is very warm. Our instructor was very good making sure the boys were safe. The older boy got the hang of everything after about 5 minutes and he was left to swim around by himself while she spent the rest of the time holding onto the younger boy and guiding him around. After about an hour the 8 year old got bored and went back to the beach to be with him mum. After than the 3 of us, myself, older boy and instructor, went diving for another hour before our air was up.
She took some cool underwater photos of us which we later received by email for no additional charge.
Had a great experience with my children in a very accessible location.
The female instructor led all of us off the beach and into the depths of the sea. Kalivaki beach itself is strange because a cold stream enters the warm ocean. So on the surface the water is very cold, but below about a meter it is very warm. Our instructor was very good making sure the boys were safe. The older boy got the hang of everything after about 5 minutes and he was left to swim around by himself while she spent the rest of the time holding onto the younger boy and guiding him around. After about an hour the 8 year old got bored and went back to the beach to be with him mum. After than the 3 of us, myself, older boy and instructor, went diving for another hour before our air was up.
She took some cool underwater photos of us which we later received by email for no additional charge.
Had a great experience with my children in a very accessible location.
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul
Berlin, Germany5 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We visited Evelin divers to arrange for my son to take his PADI Scuba Diver course. Despina clearly explained the course and what my son needed to do. The organisation was excellent with very clear meeting instructions. The dive instructor was very patient and went at just the right pace for the group. The diving and instruction were from very shallow and Sandy beach which was great to build his confidence. I also took the opportunity to arrange a couple of dive including the elephant cave and my dive guides were also great. With selecting the right gear as well as giving great five briefings on the area we were diving. Communication was also fast and responsive to any questions and I would not hesitate to dive with Evelin Dive Center again and I certainly recommend them for experienced divers and new beginners alike
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Swissshamoo
Bern, Switzerland187 contributions
Sep 2020
I do not want to believe it is a local or typical behavior, but promising whatever seems to be a dive center policy in many diving business in Crete. This is the case of Eveline Dive Center. They will not suits your wishes (despite they promise to do so) of private dives for photography (Elephant Cave) if they can fill the boats with any kind of divers. Be careful and avoid to be too naïve. Crete is in an economical mess and every dive center is behind the last cent they can grab and they will do it without scruple.
Written November 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Carlos, thank you for taking the time & leaving a review. Please consider to explain the situation of your negative review, so our fellow dive buddies can understand your 1 star rating.
It would be great if you would mention that you never visited our dive center, after your aggressive & rude messages, where we asked you to please not visit us for diving as you clearly need anger management & we prefer to dive with nice & kind people.
Now let’s have a look at the situation.
On the first emails, where you asked for private dives, around a month prior your arrival, Despina explained to you that "IF POSSIBLE" we will arrange private dives. When the date came nearer & you decided you want to do only 1 dive in the elephant cave & Despina informed you that this is not possible as we always do a 1st normal dive for safety standards, prior diving in the elephant cave, to check out divers we haven’t dive before, you started the aggressive & the hilarious statement like "WE ARE THE CLIENTS. NOBODY CAN IMPOSE ME A DIVE IF I DON’T WANT IT. SWISS PEOPLE DO NOT WORK AS EUROPEANS." Which is fine for us, we respect if you don’t want to do two dives and that’s why we informed you, since you don’t accept our policies, to please not visit us & cancelled on you. We never promised a single dive to the elephant cave.
Now the way you wrote your review again "CRETE IS IN AN ECONOMICAL MESS AND EVERY DIVE CENTER IS BEHIND THE LAST CENT THEY CAN GRAB AND THEY WILL DO IT WITHOUT SCRUPLE" I understand why the previous dive center you contacted, messaged us & warned us about you. It seems that you didn’t find any dive center in Crete to fulfill your wishes and now please ask yourself why? The answer is not "CRETE IS AN ECONOMICAL MESS", I can assure you, we had space to take you diving but we chose not to due to your bitterness & anger. If we were behind every cent, as you say, we wouldn’t have cancelled on you.
Your behavior & review is just disappointing & sad. I wish you well my friend & I really hope you get to solve your anger issues.
Anyhow the whole Evelin Dive Center team wishes you a Happy new year, stay safe & smile :) !
Written January 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mandy S
3 contributions
Apr 2022
Having been on a couple of "introductory dives" myself before in other locations, I wanted my husband's first experience to be a good one. Evelin Dive Centre couldn't have done anything any better and exceeded my own expectations!
George the instructor spoke very good English and was both patient and comprehensive, took his time to explain everything we needed to know and then some. Made my husband feel perfectly comfortable checking on him at every step of the way.
First dives are in the shallow sandy bay of Kalivaki Beach just along from Georgioupolis and make a great setting.
Can't recommend these guys highly enough... thanks again George!
George the instructor spoke very good English and was both patient and comprehensive, took his time to explain everything we needed to know and then some. Made my husband feel perfectly comfortable checking on him at every step of the way.
First dives are in the shallow sandy bay of Kalivaki Beach just along from Georgioupolis and make a great setting.
Can't recommend these guys highly enough... thanks again George!
Written May 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mario Tribello
London, United Kingdom5 contributions
May 2022
Did 4 days of 2-tank dives and followed this with the Night Diver PADI speciality; the staff were excellent at all times. professional yet friendly and approachable. Cannot speak highly enough of them. I would recommend Evelin Dive to anyone wishing to dive in the Rethymno area. Diving the Elephant Cave is a must!
Written May 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucas
1 contribution
May 2022 • Friends
Really great experience with a nice team and beautiful nature.
Had a great time discovering the basics of scuba diving with Hany and Manu. Big shout out to both of them, for making us feel safe and well prepared going deeper (up to 8m) by slowly introducing us to the matter.
Very funny and most important professional supervisors.
Also had a nice talk afterwards with the team about diving and crete in general, but also humans responsibilities when visiting the habitat of all the beautiful animals and plants.
Hopefully seeing them next year again to make a divers certificate!
Had a great time discovering the basics of scuba diving with Hany and Manu. Big shout out to both of them, for making us feel safe and well prepared going deeper (up to 8m) by slowly introducing us to the matter.
Very funny and most important professional supervisors.
Also had a nice talk afterwards with the team about diving and crete in general, but also humans responsibilities when visiting the habitat of all the beautiful animals and plants.
Hopefully seeing them next year again to make a divers certificate!
Written May 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee A
7 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
What an amazing few days just spent with my 18 year old son learning to scuba dive and passing the padi open water dive course. Excellent (and patient) tuition from Helena over 3 days and now we’re qualified and feel really comfortable to take this experience on to more dives around the world. The whole team are incredibly friendly and informative and if you looking for a challenging few days then this is just the perfect thing to do. Thanks to the whole centre for a great experience
Written July 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnnybegoode267
Hannover, Germany5 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We spent 7 dives with the Evelin Dive Center crew on 4 different days and enjoyed every one of them.
After not diving for two respectively three years we contacted Evelin Dive Center to get back into diving again and asked for a Refresher Class. Instead of selling the Refresher Class right away we could then do a beach dive on which we could practice some basic skills and see whether the full Refresher Class would be really necessary - what we did with the dive instructor Hani and enjoyed from the first minute. So if you are looking for a place which doesn't try to sell you something but rather look for what you individually need, you're at the right place.
We then had 3 further dive days with the instructors George and Manu. Two of them took place in and around the Elephant Cave, which is a must do for divers on Crete and we can only recommend to do so with the Evelin Dive Center crew. The other one was at the beach of Skinaria where George and Manu took only the two of us two really nice and relaxed dives. Als very recommendable.
Further: Safety and professionalism 5/5; equipment 5/5; overall crew 5/5; patience and support for less experienced divers 5/5; addressing your individual ability and wishes 5/5.
We will definitely come again if we are on Crete. Thank you for the experience!
After not diving for two respectively three years we contacted Evelin Dive Center to get back into diving again and asked for a Refresher Class. Instead of selling the Refresher Class right away we could then do a beach dive on which we could practice some basic skills and see whether the full Refresher Class would be really necessary - what we did with the dive instructor Hani and enjoyed from the first minute. So if you are looking for a place which doesn't try to sell you something but rather look for what you individually need, you're at the right place.
We then had 3 further dive days with the instructors George and Manu. Two of them took place in and around the Elephant Cave, which is a must do for divers on Crete and we can only recommend to do so with the Evelin Dive Center crew. The other one was at the beach of Skinaria where George and Manu took only the two of us two really nice and relaxed dives. Als very recommendable.
Further: Safety and professionalism 5/5; equipment 5/5; overall crew 5/5; patience and support for less experienced divers 5/5; addressing your individual ability and wishes 5/5.
We will definitely come again if we are on Crete. Thank you for the experience!
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nav
London, UK3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Did the discover dive with the Evelin dive centre in Georgioupolis and I would highly recommend!…I have only ever dived once about 10 years ago so I had practically no experience. A thorough brief was provided beforehand and then got changed and went out to sea. They give you time to familiarise yourself with the equipment in the water and then the dive begins!..we spent about 45 mins in the water and it was an amazing experience! You get to see a whole new world underwater. The staff are very laid back but highly professional and knowledgable, you always feel comfortable and safe with them both in and out of the water. Special thanks to Hany who provided the brief and took my group out to dive. To anyone who has doubts about diving I would highly recommend you give it a go with these guys. I definitely would do this again.
Written June 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sylvia
1 contribution
yassas
nous partons en Crête au mois d'août. j'aimerais offrir à mon fils et mon homme un baptême " double plongée," la grotte s'appelle " Éléphant" je crois. est ce que le baptême à été mémorable pour vous ?
sinon je ne sais pas comment réserver leur journée depuis la France et je voudrais envoyer un mail au club de plongée. ce serait super sympa si vous pouviez m'aider et merci encore pour toutes ces infos
continuez à nous faire partager vos souvenirs et à très bientôt
Daphni💙
Desp
Rethymnon, Greece1 contribution
Bonjour Daphni,
vous pouvez visiter notre site web evelindivers
pour les réservations ou toutes les questions que vous pourriez avoir.
Bien a vous,
Despina- EVELIN DIVE CENTER
Evelin Dive Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
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