Snorkeling Greece – 50 Spots For Snorkeling In Greece

Here is your guide to snorkeling Greece. We’ve listed 50 of the best spots for snorkeling in Greece this summer. From Athens to all the top Greek Islands, we have a place for you to glimpse sea turtles and abundant marine life.

Greece is famed for its numerous islands, azure seas, and incredible beaches, but people still ask.. “is Greece good for snorkeling?”

Yes, there is more to Greece than everything you see above water. With over 10,000 miles of coastline, Greek waters are teeming with fascinating sea life, offering some of the best snorkeling in the Mediterranean.

Spoilt with unparalleled visibility and warm waters, Greece’s seas are perfect for underwater exploration. The best time to snorkel in Greece is during the summer, when you will be treated to a warm climate and active, abundant marine life.

Find The Best Snorkeling Spot For You

With that information in hand, here are some of the best snorkeling spots in Greece.

Island Of Crete

1. Crete

Best greek island for snorkeling

Greece’s largest island boasts the best snorkeling in Greece.

Although there are so many Crete snorkeling options to choose from, the Elounda and Skinaria areas both lead in terms of underwater experience. Skinaria Beach offers rugged underwater reefs and crystal clear waters that are perfect for exploration.
Whereas Elounda and beaches nestled along the Spinalonga Peninsula are famed for being beautiful and as the spot to see marine life.

Snorkeling Crete can also be done further south; Chrissi Island offers warm, shallow waters, home to abundant sea life, including octopi and a variety of fish.

If you enjoy snorkeling around sea wreckages, an unmissable spot is Falasarna. This site is home to a WWII shipwreck, which can be explored from close to the water’s surface.

The Ionian Islands

Perched between Greece and Italy, the the Ionian Sea Islands are popular for their white beaches and turquoise waters. However, beyond that, many of these islands also offer adventurous travelers the chance to spot unusual sea life while snorkeling Greece.

2. Zakynthos

One of the most popular islands in Greece, Zakynthos offers visitors the chance to snorkel through underwater caves, around incredible coves, and along the coastline of one of Europe’s most outstanding beaches, Navagio Beach.

Snorkeling in Zakynthos also offers the unique opportunity to see Loggerhead turtles. The turtles nest on the southern beaches between May and October, with hatchlings emerging around 90 days after nesting.

If you arrive early in the morning, you may witness the incredible migration of the new hatchlings to the sea. The best Greece beaches to catch loggerhead sea turtles are Gerakas Beach, Laganas Beach, Cameo Island, and Dafni Beach.

3. Corfu

Corfu is a fantastic spot for snorkeling, with protected coves, reefs, and beaches. You can opt to go out alone or join a day-long boat trip. The best places on the island are Afionas Beach, Avlaki Beach, Paleokastritsa Beach, and Vrachli Beach.

4. Kefalonia

While Argostoli Harbour is a perfect place to catch a glimpse of sea turtles, the best Kefalonia snorkeling choice is at Foki Beach. Known for its sheltered cove, surrounded by pine tree forest, Foki Beach boasts diverse marine life. If you’re lucky, you may catch Mediterranean monk seals while snorkeling in Greece.

5. Paxos

An underwater paradise with unique snorkeling opportunities, Paxos is an amazing place to snorkel. The waters at Marmari Beach are full of sea flora and fauna.

For a truly different experience, it is possible to follow the coastline to see the Erimitis cliffs, the Ortholitos (pyramid emerging from the sea), and the Tripitos stone arch.

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The Dodecanese Islands

6. Rhodes

An archipelago of more than 150 islands scattered through the southeastern Aegean Sea, the Dodecanese Islands offers the best snorkeling in Greece. With reefs, caves, and wrecks to explore, Rhodes is the perfect spot for snorkeling in the Dodecanese.

The largest and most populous island, Rhodes, has spectacular snorkel spots. The stunning cove, Anthony Quinn Bay, is one of the island’s best snorkeling spots. However, the areas of Kallithea, Haraki Beach, and St. Paul’s Bay Beach also offer the opportunity for great underwater adventures.

The Sporades Islands

7. Alonissos

A small archipelago of islands in the Aegean, the stunning Sporades are known for lush green forests and sloping mountains reaching the sea. However, these islands are also home to plenty of snorkeling opportunities.

The best island in the Sporades for snorkeling is Alonissos. Having escaped mass tourism, the waters around Alonissos remain primarily untouched by beachgoers. However, Alonissos is home to the largest marine park in Europe for those who enjoy exploring beneath the surface. You may even be lucky enough to glimpse dolphins or rare monk seals on your trip.

The Cyclades

Arguably the most well-known Greek island group, the Cyclades are famous for white and blue architecture, barren landscapes, and beautiful sandy bays. These beautiful islands also boast some incredible snorkeling spots. Here are the best islands in the Cyclades for snorkeling.

8. Paros

This well-known destination boasts a world-class snorkeling spot at Kolymbithres Beach. With many secluded coves lining the shore, you can spend a whole day hopping from cove to cove, snorkeling Paros, and admiring the abundant sea life.

9. Naxos

Naxos is a beautiful Cycladic island that draws tourists for snorkeling opportunities throughout the summer months.

On the island’s west, the beaches of Aliko, Abram, and Grotta offer beautiful Greek snorkeling experiences. Meanwhile, in the east, snorkelers frequent the crystal-clear coves of Lionas and Azalas. You could even have the chance to glimpse the remains of an underwater ancient Mycenaean city.

10. Mykonos

Famous for its cosmopolitan vibe and lively nightlife, Mykonos is as vibrant below as it is above the sea.

Snorkeling in Mykonos is best done at one of the island’s most popular party spots, Paradise Beach, which also has excellent snorkel sites. However, try a snorkeling tour for a quieter adventure, which shows you the best diving spots on the island.

The North Aegean Islands

11. Thassos

A scattering of islands off the coast of Turkey, the North Aegean islands are one of Greece’s best-kept secrets. While the islands boast many beautiful beaches and incredible history, the island of Thassos is famed for its spectacular snorkeling.

Lying far up in the North Aegean, Thassos is a stunning island. By far, the best snorkeling location on the island is Aliki, an area consisting of three beaches (Aliki Beach 1, 2, and 3). The second and third beaches are the best for snorkeling, with crystal clear waters and an unbelievable underwater landscape.

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Close To Athens

Athens might be in mainland Greece, but you’ll be delighted to know there’s treasure underwater if you know where to look!

Along the delightful Athens Riviera stretching from the bustling city all the way to charming Cape Sounion. Here, nestled among rocky coves, spots like Lemos Cape, Megalo Kavouri, and Charakas Beach are waiting to dazzle you with their aquatic wonders.

Then, let’s set our compass east to Nea Makri, which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from downtown Athens – less than an hour’s drive! From here, exciting snorkeling trips can whisk you away to the fun-filled environs of the Cape of Marathon and the picturesque Schinias Bay area.

See? Athens has more to offer than initially meets the eye when it comes to snorkeling. 

When Is It Best Time To Snorkel In Greece?

The generous splash of islands and the sprawling coastline means a secret underwater world is always waiting to be explored. Aim for the sweet spot between late May and early October, when the Mediterranean Sea generously nudges its temperature to a snug 22-28 degrees Celsius (72-82°F).

This period not only guarantees you a friendly sea but also blesses you with stellar visibility to marvel at the aquatic life beneath.

Be mindful of the mid-summer rush, though! July and August can get a tad crowded, both above and under the water. So, if you’re craving a bit more serenity with your sea turtles, sneaking in during June or September could be your best bet.

Not only do you sidestep the bustling peak of tourist season, but you also catch the calm sea and its crystal-clear best.

Now that you know all the best snorkeling opportunities in Greece, we hope you have a wonderful time snorkeling in Greece this summer.