I have returned from Zakynthos. I have stayed there one week, so maybe I have missed something, as the island is pretty big. But my review of the island is the following:
The scuba situation there is pretty sad. I would have expected a lot of diving-related businesses and activities to be there, being an island. I have hardly found two dive centers. There was another diving sign on the road that I haven't followed. On an island the size of Zakynthos this was strange for me. I was expecting to see 2-3 dive centers in any of the harbors. I have seen no diving shop either.
From the dive centers that I have visited, St. Nicholas diving center is not worth a visit. They are more oriented now into other water sports (parasailing, banana rides, and so on). They seem to have some discover scuba activities on the beach. When I have asked about boat diving, they told me they have no customers. I left them my phone number, in case they find other customers, but they haven't ever called back.
Then, I have discovered another dive center in Keri, just in front of the harbor. The center is called Turtle Beach Diving Center. This one looked like a real divecenter. Except for a few basic stuff like snorkels, masks, boots and t-shirts, they don't have a shop, but only a diving center. The staff is mixed - british, greek and german.
The rental equipment was basic, but ok; I haven't tested it as I had my own equipment with me, but a friend used it and had no issues. Most of the equipment was Aeris or Oceanic. Maybe the only comment here would be that they provide full-foot fins, which in 22C water are not really optimal (boots and open-heel fins would have been better).
The tanks are steel 12L, and also 15L upon request. Haven't asked, but I don't think they have anything except air, as there was no oxygen tank near the compressor.
They have a wood boat with enough room on it. We were ~10-15 divers and the space was more than adequate. The diving spots are close - the trip there took about 20-30 minutes. Their way of diving involves doing a dive in the morning, returning to the harbor for 2 hours for lunch, and then leaving again for the afternoon dive. They have a nice way of fast-loading the boat, by making a human chain of all the divers and loading the tanks and equipment. This was really entertaining and efficient. Between the boat and the divecenter the equipment is carried in an old minivan manually painted with lots of scuba symbols and images
. There is no toilet on the boat - not an issue for me, but in case you need is better to be informed.
About the diving spots - they dive at the Keri caves area. I have made only two dives in a single day. The sea looked pretty dead to me - almost empty rocks, close to no corals. The sea life is reduced - some small fish, nothing bigger than 20cm. Some worms and snails, a few shy and flat crabs hiding under the rocks. The scenery itself is nice - big boulders, caves, arcs, walls. Water was cold - between 22 and 26C was too cold for my 3mm suit (I should have taken from home a 7mm or even the drysuit, as I was shivering at the end of the second dive). Great visibility (20+), blue water.
After the dives I have discussed with one of the guys. He told me that in the past he worked for St Nicholas and they made regular trips to Perseus and to the Killini ferry, but the business went down year by year and many dive centers have closed. Definitely the island doesn't look like a scuba destination.
If you want to do some dives, Turtle Beach diving center in Keri I think is now the only viable option as they still seem to have enough customers to fill the boat and get out every day. But as the island seems to be a destination only for families and also for some drunk parties in Laganas, I'm not sure how much it will stay like this.
