Stepping off the ferry I could tell straight away I was somewhere different. The Cycladic island of Tinos is a top spot for Greek Orthodox pilgrims who crawl on their knees to kiss the miraculous icon in the church on top of the hill (it's ok, they've put a carpet at the edge of the road so their knees don't get too bloody...). But few international tourists make it off the boat. Well they should! Even if only to dive with Ray at Tinos Dive Centre. Ray's attitude to diving is to not just dunk folk underwater to spot a fish or two and take their cash, but to provide them with a continuing education in diving, whatever their current level.
That's how I ended up taking a Peak Performance Buoyancy class. Under Ray's confident guidance I went from a slightly panicky, wobbly sea monster to a calm and sleek mermaid in just one dive.
If you're new to diving then Tinos would be a great place to start. The smart, well equipped dive centre is a short drive from the main dive site at Ballos beach. Here the water is very calm and clear, allowing for excellent teaching conditions. The beach cafe/restaurant there provides some amenities as well as excellent food (zucchini sticks = yum). Ray, along with his colleague Sofia, also dive from various other beaches around the island, there are so many to chose from.
Former US marine Ray has a lifetime of experience of both diving and instructing, yet his dive centre is still in its infancy. This is only his second year of running the centre on Tinos and he plans to soon have accommodation packages available for the longer courses. He has already gained the trust and enthusiasm of many locals who have now given scuba diving a try, and on the day I was with him there were a steady stream of divers staggering around with air tanks ready to enter the clear blue depths.
Partying on Mykonos? You could come for the day either en route (almost all ferries from Athens to Mykonos stop at Tinos first), or come as a day trip. It's also only a little over two hours from busy Naxos in one direction, and the nation's capital in the other. You'll find the warmest welcome from Ray as well as hiking trails, rock climbing, peaceful villages and some lovely cafes and restaurants.
Effkaristo Ray.
Check out www.divetinos.gr
That's how I ended up taking a Peak Performance Buoyancy class. Under Ray's confident guidance I went from a slightly panicky, wobbly sea monster to a calm and sleek mermaid in just one dive.
If you're new to diving then Tinos would be a great place to start. The smart, well equipped dive centre is a short drive from the main dive site at Ballos beach. Here the water is very calm and clear, allowing for excellent teaching conditions. The beach cafe/restaurant there provides some amenities as well as excellent food (zucchini sticks = yum). Ray, along with his colleague Sofia, also dive from various other beaches around the island, there are so many to chose from.
Former US marine Ray has a lifetime of experience of both diving and instructing, yet his dive centre is still in its infancy. This is only his second year of running the centre on Tinos and he plans to soon have accommodation packages available for the longer courses. He has already gained the trust and enthusiasm of many locals who have now given scuba diving a try, and on the day I was with him there were a steady stream of divers staggering around with air tanks ready to enter the clear blue depths.
Partying on Mykonos? You could come for the day either en route (almost all ferries from Athens to Mykonos stop at Tinos first), or come as a day trip. It's also only a little over two hours from busy Naxos in one direction, and the nation's capital in the other. You'll find the warmest welcome from Ray as well as hiking trails, rock climbing, peaceful villages and some lovely cafes and restaurants.
Effkaristo Ray.
Check out www.divetinos.gr
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