The Ionian Sea in Greece, where Kefalonia Island is located, is a home to various species of dolphins. If you are very lucky, you can meet with these intelligent and playful creatures in the waters of Kefalonia, especially when you sail around the island. The Kefalonian dolphins can be seen mostly between Kefalonia and Zakynthos islands, but sometimes they escort the smaller boats, which are sailing to Ithaca.
The marine ecosystem surrounding the island provides for local dolphins an ideal Mediterranean habitat, such as for the loggerhead turtles.
Dolphin Species Around Kefalonia
The Ionian Sea around Kefalonia Island hosts a variety of dolphin species, each has its unique characteristic and behavior. Around Kefalonia, the most commonly spotted dolphins are the Common Dolphin, the Bottlenose Dolphin and the Striped Dolphin.
Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
Despite its name, the common dolphin is now considered vulnerable globally. The Ionian Sea around Kefalonia is one of the few places in Europe where they are still regularly seen. This species is known for its distinct yellowish flank pattern and playful, energetic behavior. Common dolphins are smaller than other dolphin species, but they are incredibly fast swimmers and often form large pods, sometimes gathering in groups of up to a lot of individuals.

Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
As the most widely known dolphins in the world, the bottlenose dolphins sounds familiar to most of the travellers. This type of dolphin is known for its friendly, curious nature, its reputation is due to its frequent appearances in movies and in the marine parks of the world. The bottlenose dolphins are slightly larger than common dolphins, with robust, gray bodies and a broad, rounded dorsal fin. Sometimes they approach boats and interact with humans, but it’s worth to know that this dolphin is the most rare in the waters of Kefalonia.
Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba):
Striped dolphins are named for the distinct black stripes running along their bodies, giving them a striking appearance. They are known for their agility and high-speed swimming abilities and are often seen leaping and spinning out of the water. Although they are more elusive than bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins can occasionally be spotted in deeper waters around Kefalonia.

Habitat and Behavior of Kefalonian Dolphins
The Ionian Sea provides an ideal habitat for dolphins, with its warm weather, nutrient-rich waters and abundant fish populations. The region around Kefalonia has quite diverse underwater landscape with seagrass meadows, but also there are deep trenches. These varying environments support a rich local marine ecosystem, allowing dolphins to thrive and giving them access to food sources such as sardines, anchovies, squid, and small fishes.

The Kefalonian dolphins are highly social animals, known to form pods that work together for hunting and protection. Their playful behavior, acrobatics, and tendency to interact with local boats are not only entertaining, but serve as ways for dolphins to communicate and establish social bonds. Dolphins in Kefalonia are often observed riding the waves created by smaller boats, leaping out of the water, or diving alongside vessels. They are very curious creatures and frequently approach boats, offering visitors sometimes unforgettable, close-up experience.
It’s worth to know that the local dolphins usually don’t like bigger boats, such as ferries, due for the high noise! For this reason the dolphins, which live near Kefalonia Island, primarily can’t be seen when travelling by a ferry between the islands or Greek mainland.
Dolphin Watching Around Kefalonia
First of all, to watch dolphins in the waters of Kefalonia, you have to need a very big luck. Watching dolphins is quite unpredictable, because these are marine animals, they live primarily under the sea surface, and due to the big distances if a group of dolphins swim a little further from the boats, sometimes it’s hard to recognize.
It is sure the best time for dolphin watching in Kefalonia is during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn, when the seas are calmer and visibility is highest – we also saw the most of the dolphins during summer months.

It’s important that there are no specialized dolphin watching tours in Kefalonia Island, but when you sail the Ionian Sea with your yacht or you spend a day with daily boat trips and excursions, this will be your best chance to see them. Mostly the swimming Kefalonian dolphins can be seen between Kefalonia and Ithaca, and between Kefalonia and Zakynthos, but usually they avoid the noisy and loud ferries, and prefer much more the smaller boats.
Some of the best areas to spot dolphins include:
- Between Kefalonia and Ithaca: this narrow channel between Kefalonia and the neighboring island of Ithaca sometimes offers an excellent opportunity to spot dolphins, as the calm waters attract schools of fish that dolphins feed on.
- Between Kefalonia and Zakynthos
- The southern side of Paliki Peninsula: the waters around this peninsula are less trafficked by noisy ferries and boats, making it much peaceful area for dolphins.
Protect the local Dolphins!
The waters surrounding Kefalonia are part of the Ionian Dolphin Project, a conservation initiative aimed at protecting dolphin populations and mediterranean monk seals in the Ionian Sea. Managed by the Tethys Research Institute since 1986, the project monitors dolphin populations, studies their behavior, and works to raise awareness about threats facing these animals. If you want, you can report the sightings of dolphins near Kefalonia Island for them!

Do not sail closer than 100 meters, and the best approach for dolphins is parallel. If the dolphins swim closer to you, place your boat engine to neutral or stop the engine. When the dolphins are swimming near to your boat, avoid increasing speed fast, and just after 300 – 400 meters speed your boat up.
Very important, if you meet with Kefalonian dolphin, avoid feeding or touching them! Dolphins are wild animals, and feeding or attempting to touch them can disrupt their natural behaviors and pose risks for both the animals and humans. The wild dolphins of the sea are not always gently, and if they have a newborn baby dolphin, their behavior may change into defense.
Dolphins hold a special place in Greek culture and it is also highly valued by most of local Kefalonian fishermens. These animals symbolizing grace, intelligence and freedom not just in Greece and in ancient Greek myths, but almost everywhere in the world. In ancient Greece dolphins were sacred to the god Poseidon, god of the sea and were considered as protectors of sailors and fishermen!