Posted by Fish, Marine Mammals and Encounters While Snorkeling & Diving
The island of Kos, one of the most popular Greek islands in the Aegean, is not only known for its beaches, excursions and warm climate – there is also a lot to discover underwater. Numerous fish species, marine mammals, turtles and other sea creatures live around the island, making swimming, snorkeling or diving a special experience. Anyone interested in the underwater world of Kos can get a first overview here.
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Fish Species Around Kos
The waters of the Aegean are rich in fish species. Many of them can already be observed while simple snorkeling in shallow water:
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Salema porgy (Sarpa salpa) – silver fish with yellow stripes, often in large schools.
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Mediterranean mackerel – fast and elegant, often found in deeper waters.
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Rainbow wrasse (Coris julis) – colorful small fish often seen between rocks.
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Sea bream (Sparidae) – widespread, in various sizes and shapes.
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Moray eels – usually hidden in rock crevices, with a characteristic head and strong teeth.
While diving, with a bit of luck you may also encounter groupers or larger predators like barracudas hunting in open waters.
Turtles on Kos
As on other Greek islands, there is also a chance to see sea turtles (Caretta caretta) on Kos.
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They often appear in harbors, where fishing boats throw leftovers into the water.
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Snorkelers can also spot them at quiet beaches.
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The animals are protected, so: keep your distance and do not touch them.
Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals
Dolphins have already been sighted around Kos – mainly common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. With a bit of luck, you can see them from a boat, especially on excursions towards Nisyros, Kalymnos or Bodrum (Turkey).
Other marine mammals such as monk seals are extremely rare but native to the entire eastern Mediterranean. An encounter is very unusual but not impossible.
Dangerous Animals in the Water?
The good news: The sea around Kos is very safe.
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Sharks do occur, but are extremely rare and harmless to humans.
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Jellyfish can occasionally be seen, mostly harmless species. Only very rarely do fire jellyfish occur, whose touch burns.
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Sea urchins are often found on rocky coasts – it’s best to enter the water wearing water shoes.
Tips for Snorkeling & Diving on Kos
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The west and south coasts with calm bays and clear water are best suited.
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Popular beaches include Camel Beach, Paradise Beach or Agios Stefanos.
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Those who want to dive deeper will find several diving schools on Kos offering trips to reefs, caves and wrecks.
Conclusion – Underwater World Around Kos
The underwater world of Kos is diverse and exciting for swimmers as well as for experienced divers. From colorful schools of fish to sea turtles and occasional dolphins – many animal encounters await you in the waters around the island. At the same time, swimming remains safe, as dangerous species play hardly any role.
So if you want to enjoy the sea not just from the beach, you should definitely go snorkeling or take a boat trip – the chances of seeing the fascinating sea creatures around Kos are high.