Animals in the water in Greece

🐬 Marine Life, Tips & Safety for Beachgoers

The sea around Greece is among the most biodiverse and cleanest in Europe. The Aegean, Ionian, and Libyan Seas provide habitat for over 700 species of fish, as well as countless other marine creatures – from dolphins and sea turtles to octopuses, moray eels, and colorful fish.

Many vacationers wonder: What exactly is swimming out there – and are any of them dangerous? The good news: Almost all the marine life in Greece is harmless. Even the few sharks found here are shy and completely harmless to humans.

In this article, you’ll learn everything about the fascinating animals in the waters of Greece – which species you can see while swimming or snorkeling, where dolphins live, when turtles hatch, and which animals you should avoid touching.

🐠 1. Fish in Greece’s Coastal Waters

Greece’s coasts are a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Even in shallow bays, you can observe numerous fish species.

🌅 Typical Fish Species While Snorkeling

In calm bays, especially on islands like Crete, Naxos, Rhodes, or Kefalonia, you might be lucky enough to see these species:

Gallidon (Tsipoura) – one of the most well-known fish in Greece, often found on the grill. Silvery and calm, swimming peacefully, usually in groups.

Red-legged mullet (Barbouni) – red to orange, usually in small groups over sandy bottoms.

Mackerel & Sardine – lightning-fast schools that glitter on the surface.

Parrotfish & Wrasse – colorful and inquisitive, often found among rocks.

Grouper – larger, rarer, lives in rocky crevices.

Conger eel – nocturnal, hides in reefs or harbors during the day.

💡 Tip: The best time to snorkel is early morning when the water is calm – many species are active then, and the light is ideal for photos.

🐢 2. Sea Turtles – The Stars of the Greek Coast

Greece is one of the most important sanctuaries for sea turtles in the Mediterranean. The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is particularly famous.

🏝️ Where to See Turtles

Zakynthos (Laganas Bay): The most important nesting site in the entire Mediterranean. Hundreds of females nest here every year between May and August.

Crete (Rethymno, Chania, Messara Bay): Turtles also lay their eggs here – often at night.

Peloponnese (Kyparissia, Laconia): Less well-known, but also nesting grounds.

Rhodes & Kefalonia: Sometimes sightings while swimming or on a boat trip.

💡 Tip: If you encounter turtles while swimming – stay calm, keep your distance, and observe them quietly. Touching them is forbidden because they are strictly protected.

🐋 3. Dolphins in Greece

Dolphins are not uncommon in Greece, but you need a bit of luck to see them. The most common species is the common dolphin, followed by the bottlenose dolphin (familiar from dolphinariums).

🌊 Where to see dolphins

Ionian Sea (around Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos): Several stable dolphin populations live here.

Gulf of Corinth: Particularly well-known for dolphin watching tours.

Aegean Sea between Naxos, Paros, and Amorgos: Small groups are often seen from boats here.

Northern Aegean (Sithonia, Sporades): With luck, you might even see monk seals and dolphins at the same time!

💡 Tip: In harbors or when the sea is calm, you can sometimes even spot them from the beach – especially early in the morning.

🦈 4. Sharks in Greece – Harmless and Rare

The question often arises: Are there sharks in Greece?

Yes, there are – but they are rare, shy, and harmless to humans.

🦈 Species Found

Small-spotted catshark: only 50–70 cm long, lives on the seabed, harmless.

Smooth hammerhead: very rare, avoids humans.

Thresher shark: grows larger but lives in deeper waters far out at sea.

Blue shark: occasionally seen in the open ocean, moves on quickly.

Angel shark: a shallow-sea, bottom-dwelling shark, now critically endangered.

💡 Fact: Not a single shark attack has been documented in Greece in over 50 years.

The animals avoid humans – you will most likely never see one.

🪸 5. Jellyfish in the Mediterranean – Beautiful, but Sometimes Unpleasant

The Greek seas are known for their very clear water and low jellyfish populations. Nevertheless, jellyfish occasionally appear during hot summers – usually harmless.

🪼 Common Species

Moon Jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca): Small, violet, can sting slightly.

Moon Jellyfish: Transparent, almost painless.

Root-mouth Jellyfish: Large, but completely harmless.

Compass Jellyfish: Rare, stings more intensely, but only briefly.

💡 Tip: If you see jellyfish, avoid swimming that day or stay close to shore.

A slight change in wind can quickly disperse them.

If you have had contact: Do not rub! Rinse with seawater, never with fresh water. Vinegar or lemon juice can help neutralize any remaining stinging cells.

🐙 6. Octopuses & Squid

Greece is a paradise for octopuses – they are curious, intelligent, and a symbol of Greek cuisine.

🐙 Where to find them

In shallow, rocky bays, often in crevices or among seagrass.

Sometimes you can spot their hiding places by the shells and small stones in front of them.

💡 Tip: When snorkeling, stay calm and observe – an octopus can change color or camouflage itself in the blink of an eye.

🐚 7. Sea Urchins, Starfish & Other Marine Life

In Greece, you’ll find many small creatures in shallow water – beautiful to look at, but sometimes painful.

🧍‍♂️ Sea Urchins

Often found in rocky areas, especially in the Cyclades and Crete.

The spines are not poisonous, but they can break off and hurt.

💡 Tip: Wear water shoes in rocky coves!

🌟 Starfish

Often red or orange, usually found on rocks or seagrass beds.

Please do not remove them – they are delicate and die quickly in the air.

🐚 Mussels & Snails

Especially in shallow water – small limpets, mussel shells, hermit crabs.

Beautiful to observe, but not to collect – many species are protected.

🐟 8. Moray Eels & Other Rare Encounters

Moray eels are long, snake-like fish that live in rock crevices. They appear threatening, but are harmless as long as they are not disturbed.

Mediterranean moray eel: 1 m long, brown and yellow spotted.

Active at dusk or in harbors.

They only bite if you put your hand into their hiding place.

💡 Tip: Keep your hands away from crevices and caves while snorkeling – then there’s no danger.

🦭 9. Monk Seals – Greece’s Rarest Inhabitants

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. Around 400 individuals now live in Greece – a great success for species conservation!

🌊 Where to See Them

Alonissos (Sporades): Several animals live in the national park zone around Alonissos and Skopelos.

Crete (Southwest): Some sightings near Loutro and Gavdos.

Central Aegean: Sometimes between Naxos and Amorgos.

💡 Tip: If you see a seal, keep your distance. They are protected and must not be fed or chased.

🐬 10. Marine Mammals & Larger Fish in the Open Sea

Besides dolphins and seals, there are other marine mammals and large fish that are rarely seen.

🐋 Whales & Large Marine Animals

Sperm Whale: In the deep waters south of Crete and Kefalonia.

Fin Whale & Beaked Whale: Very rare sightings in the Ionian Sea.

Tuna & Swordfish: More common in deeper waters – impressively large, but shy.

💡 Tip: On longer ferry trips between Crete, Santorini, or Piraeus, it’s worth looking out to sea – sometimes a pod of dolphins or whales suddenly appears.

🪼 11. Dangerous animals in the sea? – Almost none!

Greece is one of the safest countries in the world for beachgoers when it comes to marine life.

There are no poisonous fish and no dangerous sharks. Only a few animals can become unpleasant if you touch or step on them: