Marine life around Mykonos

🐠 Discover the Underwater World of the Aegean Sea

The island of Mykonos is world-famous for its beaches, windmills, and vibrant nightlife – but few people know just how rich in marine life the island truly is.

Located in the heart of the central Aegean Sea, surrounded by clear, deep blue waters, Mykonos offers a surprisingly diverse marine environment. Those who snorkel or dive here will discover a surprisingly rich array of marine life: fish of every color, octopuses, sea turtles, dolphins, and even small sharks inhabit the waters around Mykonos.

Thanks to the clear waters and rocky coastline, Mykonos is an excellent place to observe these animals – even right from the beach.

The Marine Environment Around Mykonos

The Aegean Sea is one of the most biodiverse marine areas in Europe. Warm summer currents around Mykonos attract a multitude of fish and marine mammals. At the same time, rocky reefs, seagrass meadows, and small caves provide ideal habitats.

Typical habitats around Mykonos include:

Cliffs and rocky reefs in the south and west

Sandy bays in the north

Seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) – “the lungs of the Mediterranean”

Small sea caves between Mykonos and Delos

Open ocean areas with greater depth, where dolphins and tuna can be found

This combination makes Mykonos an exciting destination for nature lovers and divers.

Our page about accommodations in Mykonos

The most important marine animals around Mykonos

1. Sea turtles – the gentle visitors

Even though Mykonos doesn’t have nesting beaches like Zakynthos, sea turtles regularly appear around the island.

Species: Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)

Lifestyle: Crosses the Cyclades in search of food. They are often seen near harbors or rocky bays where seagrass grows.

Best spots:

Agios Ioannis Beach

Psarou Bay

Ornos Bay

Delos Channel (between Mykonos and the neighboring island of Delos)

Turtles are usually solitary. They surface, take a breath, and disappear silently again.

Tip: If you remain still while snorkeling, you have a good chance of seeing a turtle in its natural habitat. See Turtles Zakynthos

2. Dolphins in the Aegean Sea

Several species of dolphins live around Mykonos, and with luck, you can spot them from a boat.

Species:

Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)

Observation Areas:

Between Mykonos and Delos

South of Rhenia

On boat trips towards Naxos or Paros

The dolphins usually live in small groups and sometimes accompany ferries or excursion boats. Sightings are more likely in spring and autumn when there is less boat traffic.

Tip:

Avoid tours with noisy motorboats – quieter operators who respect the animals are more sustainable and offer better viewing opportunities.

Our page about buses on Mykonos

3. Fish of all shapes and colors

The water around Mykonos is crystal clear, with visibility often exceeding 25 meters – ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Typical Aegean Sea fish species you’ll see here:

Sea bream (Sargos, Diplodus sargus)

Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)

Striped scorpionfish (Sarpa salpa) – easily recognizable by their yellow stripes

Parrotfish – colorful, mostly found in rocky areas

Red mullet (Mullus barbatus) – found in the sand

Barracuda – long, silvery predatory fish, often found in small groups

The diversity of species varies greatly depending on the depth and time of year. The bays of Agios Sostis, Elia Beach, and Lia Beach are particularly rich – there, rocks, seagrass, and sand alternate.

4. Octopuses, cuttlefish & other mollusks

Numerous octopuses, squid, and octopuses live around Mykonos – fascinating animals with excellent camouflage.

Octopuses (Octopus vulgaris) hide in rock crevices during the day.

Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) often swim over seagrass beds.

Squid are nocturnal and can sometimes be seen near harbor lights.

When snorkeling, octopuses can be identified by their eyes and by small piles of empty mussel shells in front of their dens—a telltale sign of their diet.

5. Sponges, Sea Anemones & Small Creatures

The underwater rocks are covered with colorful sponges, coral polyps, and anemones. These small organisms create habitats for tiny fish, snails, and shrimp.

Red gorgonians and yellow sponges adorn the rocks at depths of 10–20 meters.

Sea urchins can be found on almost every rock—their spines glitter black or purple.

Starfish cling to rocks, often bright red or orange.

Those who enjoy taking macro photos will find perfect subjects here.

6. Sharks & Rays – Rare, but Present

Sharks in the Mediterranean sound dangerous, but they are completely harmless.

Around Mykonos, you can find:

Small-spotted catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula) – small, nocturnal

Angel sharks (Squatina squatina) – shallow, well camouflaged in the sand

Blue sharks (Prionace glauca) – live far out, barely visible from the shore

Ray species such as the eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) or stingrays are also occasionally sighted in deeper bays.

There is no danger near the beach – all species are shy and avoid humans.

7. Monk seals – Rare visitors from the north

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) lives in the northern Aegean Sea and around remote Cycladic islands.

Occasionally, they also appear around Mykonos, especially in the secluded rocky coves of the west coast.

These animals are very shy and strictly protected. They use sea caves to rest and raise their young.

Anyone who sees them should immediately keep their distance – any disturbance endangers their habitat.

8. Animals on the Coast and in Shallow Water

There’s plenty to discover not only in the open sea, but also right on the shore:

Crabs and small shrimp among the rocks

Mussels and limpets on the rocks

Sea urchins – be careful when swimming barefoot

Mini fish in tide pools, especially at Panormos Beach or Agios Sostis

Children love these little discoveries – a natural “mini-aquazoo” right on the beach.

Best places for snorkeling and wildlife watching