Elli Beach Diving Platform

Adrenaline and natural beauty converge at this frequently visited diving platform off the coast of Rhodes, Greece. This crane-like feature emerging to take flight is a bonus offering of an enduringly popular destination near one of the island’s most iconic beaches. Celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, Elli Beach is particularly inviting for those interested in vintage cosmopolitan vibes, or in catapulting from great heights into the middle of the sea.

Built between 1936 and 1938, this seafront area abutting the old medieval town has thrived as a tasteful hub of tourism—with much success attributed to this perennially available platform.

Take caution before joining the masses generally swarming around it, however. What may appear doable from shore is far more intimidating than it seems, a discovery people often make once they’re climbing the ladder toward a roughly 25-foot-high leap. Thankfully, the tower includes shorter platforms on each side, for those who may have underestimated the height and prefer to bunny-hop into the Aegean’s seemingly translucent, inviting water.

This concrete platform attracts hundreds of foreign adventurers on the daily. Locals are also known to enjoy it during midday breaks, perhaps to shake off a long night or interrupt the workday grind by taking a leap before hurrying back to their desks.

Be mindful about attempting this thrilling feat, especially if unaccustomed to free falls. Also be attentive to your chosen companion, so that you don’t end up stuck hearing about the birds and the bees from your father, with nowhere to go but 25 feet down…as appears to be the case with this highly isolated pair of divers.

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