The Best Snorkelling Spots in Greece

Glide around the Greek Islands for a lazy day with Culture Trip’s Sailing Trips.

This is a great place to spot turtles on Zakynthos. Located at the island’s southern end, Gerakas Beach is a narrow strip of sand that is a popular nesting spot for turtles. Visit between May to October to see them scuttling across the sand, or head underwater to see the larger ones up close. We suggest combining it with other nearby snorkelling spots – this stretch of coastline is dotted with caves that you can swim into or visit on guided snorkelling tours.

Head to this sheltered cove to snorkel through clear, calm water before flopping on the beach – where a patchwork of olive groves, stretching from the mountains to the sand, provide much-needed shelter. A fun fact? Foki means “seal” in Greek and stronger snorkellers will be able to swim from Foki to the nearby caves where monk seals are regularly spotted. There aren’t any facilities, but the village of Fiskardo is just a 15-minute walk away.

Don your flippers at this pocket-sized beach to swim through its calm waters – rock formations on either side mean it rarely gets rough – and spot octopus, morays and supersized sea snails. The water clarity is outstanding – hence why so many dive schools offer excursions to the destination – and the beach is dotted with kid-friendly rock pools. A word of warning: the covering is a mixture of sand and pebbles, so consider bringing a pair of neoprene water shoes.

This wide, sheltered beach is all about slow snorkels through the clear, shallow water – with occasional resurfaces to take in views of nearby islands. Located to the south of Lefkada Town, it feels fabulously secluded and there are sun loungers to rent when you fancy putting your snorkel aside. After your snorkelling session, consider a bit of beach exploration – the dunes are dotted with wildflowers and the sand is some of the softest you’ll find in Greece.

This beach rarely gets crowded, although the same can’t always be said for the water – its remote location is precisely what makes it popular with visitors on sailing holidays, simply because the easiest way to access it is by boat. Although it’s not the best spot to see marine life, it’s a fantastic spot if you fancy a lazy snorkel through the glass-clear shallows before clambering back onto your boat for a sunbathing session.

This small beach is only accessible on foot – which keeps it largely crowd-free. Bear in mind that there are two beaches on this narrow peninsula: the one you’ll want to snorkel off is the sea-facing one, as opposed to the one angled towards the coast. You’ll see colourful sea plants and a wide range of fish and coral and porpoises are often spotted from the shore, too. The species you’re most likely to see include the beautiful, speckled Mediterranean damselfish and the dazzlingly bright rainbow wrasse.

Come to this rocky cove on Corfu’s northern coast to soak up the views of Albania – just across the water – before donning your snorkel. Head to the western end of the beach to spot large shoals of fish – the angelfish are our favourite – and to the southern end, to check out the black sea sponges which cling to the underwater boulders. When hunger strikes, head to the small taverna above the beach.

Zakynthos is one of the best places to see turtles in Greece. The nearby uninhabited island of Marathonisi is a breeding ground for loggerhead turtles – and they’re easy to spot in the clear, calm waters off Kalamaki Beach, near Zakynthos Town. Sprawling seagrass meadows attract a wide range of fish and a turtle-friendly watersports ban means it’s one of Corfu’s quieter places for a snorkelling session. If the water gets crowded, walk to nearby Laganas Beach for a little more peace and quiet.

This spot on Zakynthos’s western coast is best explored on guided snorkelling tours, of which there are many. Although there’s plenty of marine life to see, one of the area’s biggest selling points is the opportunity to snorkel beneath enormous stalactites – Kianoun cave has the largest. If you’re sailing in Corfu, this is one of the best places to visit – anchor outside the caves and swim to them from the boat.

Alonnisos is one of the Sporades Islands, which has some of the best snorkelling and diving spots in Greece. The presence of a protected marine park is the reason Alonnisos is known for its bountiful, varied marine life – and we’re not just talking about the smaller species. This is one of the best islands in Greece to see dolphins, as well as the rare Mediterranean monk seal.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.