Where is Crete’s Elephant Cave?
The Elephant Cave in Crete is one of the best-known diving sites in Greece. The Elephant Cave is found in the Red Village, which is 30 kilometers from Chania. More specifically, the cave is in the Drepano area of Akrotiri, which is next to Souda Bay.
Where does the name “Elephant Cave” come from?
The name of the Elephant Cave comes from elephant bones that were found embedded in the walls of the cave. The species of elephant is known as ‘elephas chaiensis’ and it lived about 50-60 thousand years ago.
We also find in the cave deer bones that came from both regular size and dwarf deer. The dwarf deer are an interesting find because they no longer exist today and only grew up to 30 centimeters in size. We know that the deer outlived the elephant because the bones of the deer are found in a higher layer of rock than the elephant bones. This indicates that an overpopulation of deer likely killed off the elephants.
The elephants found in this cave are unique because they are different than the bones of African or Indian elephants. The elephants from the Elephant Cave were three feet tall and had thicker bones. It is said that the animals in the Elephant Cave migrated to Greece about 15 million years ago, when a single landmass connected the Ionian Sea and the Asia Minor coast.
What is the Inside of the Elephant Cave like?
To enter the cave you need to dive 10 meters below the surface of the water. The opening continues into a tunnel which is about 40 meters long. Inside, visibility is great for divers and you can clearly see stalagmites and stalactites, as well as the elephant bones in the wall of the cave. When you are above water, the cave air is breathable. Research of the organic compounds in the area shows that the cave used to be dry thousands of years ago.
Monachus-Monachus and the Elephant Cave
Today, the Elephant Cave is a refuge and shelter for the Monachus-Monachus seal, which is one of the rarest seal species in the world. The Monachus-Monachus are also known as monk seals because they prefer isolation from humans and also because of a patch on their heads that resembles a Roman Catholic monk cap. The monk seal was also found on ancient Greek coins and Homer references the monk seal in his epic poems.
Visiting the Elephant Cave
It’s possible to go diving in the Elephant Cave with local diving centers. The experience is unique and any visitor is able to view the stalactites and stalagmites both under and above the water. They are colored red because of the aluminum and iron oxide in the cave. When you dive into the cave, be sure to dive with attention to the stalactites. If you come into contact with the rocks, you could destroy the still-developing stalactites.
Chania Diving Centers and Omega Divers Chania are two local diving companies that lead trips to the Elephant Cave.
