Snorkeling in Kefalonia Island is an unforgettable experience, because the island offer crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and stunning underwater landscapes for this great activity. With a mix of sheltered bays, rocky coves and beautiful beaches, in Greece Kefalonia has some of the best snorkeling spots in the Ionian Islands, ideal for both beginners and experienced snorkelers.
Why Kefalonia is perfect for snorkeling
The island’s waters are known for their exceptional clarity and visibility, often extending to 30 meters (98 feet) or more at a lot of beaches, allowing snorkelers to clearly observe fish, rock formations, and the seabed below. The Ionian Sea aroung Kefalonia Island has diverse marine life, including colorful fishes, octopuses, and even the local loggerhead turtles (Caretta Caretta), makes snorkeling an exciting way to explore Kefalonia’s underwater world.

During the days of the holiday the snorkeling in Kefalonia is a perfect beach activity, due to a lot of sheltered bays and calm waters around the island. Diving in most of the local bays are safe for all ages including children, while the varied underwater terrain, with caves and rock formations, adds an element of adventure. Sea temperatures and the local fish activity support snorkeling from May to mid-October, the best periods are from June to the end of September.

The best spots for snorkeling in Kefalonia are situated mostly on the east coast, but don’t worry, almost every part of the island have their own best snorkeling beaches, even in Paliki peninsula, near Lixouri.

Best Snorkeling Spots in Kefalonia
Antisamos Beach
Located near Sami village on the east coast, Antisamos beach is a top snorkeling destination in Kefalonia Island. This beach features white pebbled shores and blue waters with rich marine life and a varied underwater landscape. When you see the photos of Antisamos beach, you may notice the transparent sea water, which means this place is one of the clearest waters of this island.

Snorkelers can observe schools of fish, sea urchins, and occasionally spot larger fish like groupers. The beach’s lush green hillsides create a stunning backdrop, and there are sunbeds, beach bars, and facilities nearby. If you are on a holiday on the island and you are interesting in snorkeling, Antisamos is definitely one of the best places for snorkeling in Kefalonia, where you can always see a lot of fishes, and it is highly recommended for a visit.
Petani beach
One of Kefalonia’s most famous beaches, Petani Beach is also an excellent spot for snorkeling, particularly along the rocky seabed of the beach. While the main areas are ideal for sunbathing, the rocky sides and the deeper parts of Petani create the perfect habitat for small fish and other marine creatures. The water’s vivid shades of blue make it one of the most scenic spots for snorkeling.

It’s worth to know that Petani beach is listed as a highly recommended place for snorkeling in Kefalonia and a top diving spot in Greece, but only when the sea is calm. This bay is facing to west, in the direction of the open sea, and there are some days when bigger waves stir the seabed.
Foki Beach
Close to the village of Fiskardo, Foki beach is a charming bay with calm, shallow waters and a unique, rocky seabed perfect for snorkeling. The rocky underwater environment is home to small fish, crabs, and sometimes even octopuses hiding among the rocks. Foki beach is very small, with plenty of shade provided by olive trees along the shore, creating a serene and scenic environment.

Emblisi Beach
Another gem near Fiskardo, Emblisi Beach has crystal-clear waters and a smooth, pebbled shoreline. This beach is also popular for snorkeling due to its (usually) calm, shallow waters and the abundant marine life visible just below the surface. You’ll find colorful fishes and some sea stars, with underwater rock formations that make this beach a snorkeling paradise.

Skala Beach
Skala beach located on the southeastern coast, is known for its long sandy shore and clear waters. The rocky areas at the edges of the beach are the best for snorkeling, offering the chance to spot a variety of fish and other marine life – on the central parts there are usually not much to see. Skala beach is also a great beach for families, with plenty of facilities and amenities nearby.

It’s worth to know that the southernmost parts of Skala beach, mentioned as Spithi beach is sometimes visited by naturists also.
Lagkadakia Beach
The southern parts of Paliki peninsula are unique for its reddish sand and shallow emerald waters, but there are also some beaches, which are totally different, and belong to the best snorkeling places of Kefalonia Island. Lagkadakia beach is an amazing place for snorkeling in Kefalonia – despite it’s tiny size the marine life is usually vibrant here. The rocky bottom is ideal for fishes, so it’s strongly recommended to bring your diving goggles here.

The beach’s shallow waters and rocky sides make it a good place to observe fish and explore rock formations, especially for beginners.
The rocky beaches of Lassi
Lassi is a great tourist resort in Kefalonia island with nice restaurants and bars, but the village has also some amazing beaches for snorkeling. At the most popular beaches of Lassi, such as at Makris Gialos beach and Platis Gialos beach we can meet sometimes with smaller fishes, but the best snorkeling places of Lassi are usually the north beaches of the village, where the seabed is more rocky.

These recommended beaches for snorkeling in Lassi are the sea caves of Kamaroules, the areas near Crocodile beach, and the rocky sides of Kalamia beach. These beaches can be accessed on foot from the center.
What You Might See While Snorkeling in Kefalonia
Kefalonia’s marine life is diverse and colorful – much less spectacular than in Red Sea, but in the Ionian Sea in Greece this area is considered as diverse. There are just a few dangerous animals in the sea, which are rare, so snorkeling in Kefalonia is safe if you are careful and can be recommended for everyone, from kids to adults.

Some of the sea creatures you might encounter include:
- Small colorful and grey fishes: from wrasses and damselfish to groupers the waters around Kefalonia teem with vibrant fish species.
- Sea urchins and starfish: these are quite commonly found on rocky surfaces and sandy seabeds, adding color and variety to the underwater scenery.
- Octopuses and squids: in rocky crevices or hidden among seagrass, you might spot these fascinating creatures, known for their camouflage abilities. Usually it’s hard to see them, and you may need a lot of luck to notice them, but it’s not impossible to meet one of these interesting animals. The local octopuses are shy and not as big to harm human life.
- Sea turtles: loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are known to frequent certain parts of Kefalonia, especially around Argostoli harbor. While not guaranteed, snorkelers may occasionally spot a turtle gliding through the water, usually in the southern beaches of Kefalonia Island.

Snorkeling Tips for Kefalonia
- Bring your own equipment: it’s worth to bringing your own snorkeling mask, fins, and snorkel ensures you have quality gear that fits well. Most of the local supermarkets offer just basic or low quality equipment for snorkeling.
- Check sea conditions: The waters around Kefalonia are usually calm, but it’s best to check for currents, especially at beaches with open waters on the west coast.
- Swim near rocks and coves: for the most vivid underwater life, stick to the rocky areas and coves where fish and marine creatures are most active. But be aware, the rocks can be sharp and prickly, so water shoes can be recommended.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen: To protect the marine environment, opt for biodegradable sunscreen that won’t harm the underwater ecosystem.
- Stay safe: always snorkel with a buddy or an experienced family member, and if you’re new to snorkeling, stick to shallow areas where you can stand comfortably. The smaller kids and children must be supervised at all times!
If you don’t meet significant sea life during snorkeling in Kefalonia Island, just drop some pieces of bread into the water during snorkeling!

Snorkeling in Kefalonia
Snorkeling in Kefalonia allows you to connect with the island’s serene and vibrant marine life without needing extensive training or equipment.
The island’s beaches offer a peaceful atmosphere, it’s diverse snorkeling spots such as Antisamos beach, Petani beach and the other amazing beaches with clear waters provide incredible visibility. Whether you’re looking to explore shallow coves or dive into deeper blue waters, Kefalonia offers an unforgettable snorkeling experience in a setting of unparalleled natural beauty.