Discover the underwater wonders of Kos with our complete diving and snorkeling guide! Explore 20+ dive sites, from beginner-friendly shallow reefs to advanced wreck dives, plus the best snorkeling spots, dive centers, and underwater photography locations around the island.
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Best Dive Sites: Underwater Exploration Paradise
Kos offers diverse diving experiences in the crystal-clear Aegean waters, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters and water temperatures perfect for year-round diving.
Premier Diving Locations
Kefalos Bay Diving Complex
Location: Southern Kos Peninsula
Depth Range: 5-35 meters
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Visibility: 25-40 meters
Marine Life: Octopus, grouper, sea bream, barracuda schools
Features: Underwater caves, rock formations, colorful sponge gardens
Best Season: April-November
Special Notes: Multiple dive sites within protected bay
Paradise Beach Reef System
Location: Kefalos Peninsula
Depth Range: 8-25 meters
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Features: Extensive reef system, swim-throughs, mini walls
Marine Life: Damselfish, wrasse, sea urchins, occasional turtles
Perfect For: Underwater photography, first-time divers
Access: Shore entry or short boat ride
Aghios Stefanos Archaeological Dive
Location: Kefalos Peninsula
Depth Range: 3-15 meters
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Historical Period: Early Christian (5th-6th centuries)
Features: Underwater basilica ruins, ancient columns, marble artifacts
Unique Experience: Dive through actual historical ruins
Visibility: Excellent for underwater archaeology photography
Psalidi Thermal Springs Dive
Location: Eastern Kos
Depth Range: 5-20 meters
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Special Features: Natural thermal vents, warm water pockets
Temperature: Up to 30°C in thermal areas
Marine Life: Unique thermophilic species, colorful algae
Experience: Diving in naturally heated waters
Advanced Dive Sites
Northern Coast Deep Walls
Location: North of Mastichari
Depth Range: 20-45 meters
Skill Level: Advanced only
Features: Dramatic vertical walls, deep blue water
Marine Life: Pelagic fish, possible dolphin encounters
Conditions: Strong currents possible, boat access only
The Pinnacles - Tigaki Area
Location: Off Tigaki Beach
Depth Range: 15-30 meters
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Features: Underwater rock formations, swim-throughs
Marine Life: Large grouper, moray eels, schooling fish
Top Snorkeling Spots: Surface Adventures
Perfect for all ages and skill levels, Kos offers exceptional snorkeling opportunities in calm, clear waters teeming with Mediterranean marine life.
Outstanding Snorkeling Locations
Bubble Beach - Kefalos
Location: Kefalos Peninsula
Depth Range: 1-8 meters
Access: Easy shore entry
Unique Features: Natural CO2 bubbles rising from seabed
Marine Life: Abundant small fish, sea anemones
Perfect For: Families, beginners, unique underwater phenomena
Best Time: Morning for calmest conditions
Aghios Ioannis Perigialitis
Location: West of Mastichari
Depth Range: 1-6 meters
Features: Ancient underwater ruins, clear shallow waters
Historical Interest: Submerged early Christian buildings
Marine Life: Colorful fish, sea grass beds
Bonus: Beautiful seaside chapel above water
Therma Beach Hot Springs
Location: Southeast coast
Depth Range: 0.5-4 meters
Special Features: Natural thermal springs, warm water snorkeling
Temperature: Water temperature 25-30°C year-round
Marine Life: Unique warm-water adapted species
Experience: Therapeutic snorkeling in mineral-rich waters
Paradise Beach Marine Reserve
Location: Kefalos Peninsula
Depth Range: 2-10 meters
Protection Status: Protected marine area
Marine Life: Abundant fish populations, sea turtles (occasional)
Features: Rocky reefs, underwater meadows
Best For: Wildlife observation, underwater photography
Family-Friendly Snorkeling
Tigaki Lagoon Area
Depth Range: 0.5-3 meters
Perfect For: Young children, beginners
Features: Shallow, protected waters
Marine Life: Small colorful fish, hermit crabs
Lambi Beach Protected Cove
Location: Near Kos Town
Depth Range: 1-5 meters
Access: Easy from beach
Features: Calm protected bay, sandy bottom with rock patches
Dive Centers & Schools: Professional Services
Kos hosts several PADI and SSI certified dive centers offering courses, guided dives, and equipment rental for all experience levels.
Top-Rated Dive Centers
Kos Divers - Main Dive Center
Location: Kos Town Harbor
Certifications: PADI 5-Star Dive Center
Languages: English, German, Greek, Italian
Services: All levels of courses, guided dives, equipment rental
Specialties: Wreck diving, underwater photography, night dives
Boat Fleet: Modern dive boats with safety equipment
Experience: 20+ years operating in Kos waters
Aegean Diving College
Location: Kardamena
Certifications: PADI and SSI programs
Specialties: Beginner courses, family programs
Facilities: Pool training, classroom instruction
Packages: Hotel pickup, all-inclusive diving holidays
Features: Small group instruction, personalized attention
Blue Dolphin Dive Center
Location: Kefalos/Kamari area
Focus: Local dive sites, marine conservation
Specialties: Archaeological dives, advanced open water
Languages: Multiple European languages
Eco-Focus: Marine protection education programs
Mastichari Dive School
Location: Mastichari
Services: PADI Open Water to Divemaster
Specialties: Local site expertise, small groups
Features: Shore diving specialists, snorkeling tours
Course Offerings & Pricing
PADI Open Water Diver
Duration: 3-4 days
Price Range: €350-450
Includes: Theory, pool training, 4 open water dives
Certification: Dive to 18 meters worldwide
PADI Advanced Open Water
Duration: 2 days
Price Range: €280-350
Includes: 5 adventure dives, specialty training
Certification: Dive to 30 meters, night diving
Discover Scuba Diving (Beginner)
Duration: Half day
Price Range: €65-85
Includes: Pool training, 1 shallow sea dive
Perfect For: First-time diving experience
Wreck Diving Adventures: Underwater History
Explore historical shipwrecks around Kos, offering unique diving experiences combining adventure with maritime archaeology.
Notable Wreck Dive Sites
The Olympia Wreck
Vessel Type: Cargo steamship
Sunk: 1943 during WWII
Depth: 28-35 meters
Length: 85 meters
Skill Level: Advanced divers only
Features: Intact structure, propeller, cargo holds
Marine Life: Large grouper, moray eels, schools of fish
Historical Interest: Well-preserved WWII vessel
Local Fishing Boat Wrecks
Depth Range: 15-25 meters
Skill Level: Intermediate
Features: Multiple small vessel wrecks
Marine Life: Artificial reef ecosystems
Perfect For: Wreck diving introduction
Ancient Amphora Site
Period: Roman/Byzantine
Depth: 12-20 meters
Features: Ancient pottery scattered on seabed
Historical Value: Archaeological protected site
Regulations: Look but don't touch - protected artifacts
Underwater Photography: Capturing the Depths
Kos waters offer exceptional underwater photography opportunities with excellent visibility and diverse marine subjects.
Best Photography Locations
Macro Photography Sites
Paradise Beach Reef: Nudibranchs, small crustaceans, colorful sponges
Thermal Springs: Unique bacterial mats, thermophilic species
Shallow Rocky Areas: Anemones, hermit crabs, juvenile fish
Best Times: Early morning, late afternoon for optimal lighting
Wide-Angle Photography
Kefalos Wall Dives: Dramatic seascapes, schooling fish
Wreck Sites: Ship structures with marine growth
Archaeological Sites: Ancient ruins underwater
Lighting Conditions: Excellent natural light penetration
Equipment & Services
Camera Rental: Underwater cameras available at dive centers
Photo Courses: Underwater photography specialty courses
Processing: Digital photo services in Kos Town
Guides: Photography-focused dive guides available
Marine Life Guide: What You'll See Underwater
Common Fish Species
- Grouper (Epinephelus): Large, curious fish in deeper waters
- Sea Bream (Sparus aurata): Golden fish in shallow areas
- Damselfish: Colorful small fish around reefs
- Wrasse Species: Cleaning stations, bright colors
- Barracuda: Schooling silver fish in open water
- Moray Eels: In caves and rocky crevices
Marine Invertebrates
- Octopus: Common in rocky areas, excellent camouflage
- Sea Anemones: Various species, some hosting clownfish
- Sponges: Colorful encrusting and branching types
- Sea Urchins: Purple and black species in shallow areas
- Crustaceans: Hermit crabs, spider crabs, shrimp
Occasional Sightings
- Sea Turtles: Loggerhead turtles in deeper waters
- Dolphins: Striped and bottlenose dolphins (surface sightings)
- Rays: Occasional stingray sightings in sandy areas
- Seahorses: Rare but present in seagrass beds
Seasonal Diving Conditions: When to Dive
Spring Diving (March-May)
- Water Temperature: 16-20°C
- Visibility: Excellent (25-35 meters)
- Marine Life: Active fish populations, mating behaviors
- Conditions: Calm seas, perfect for all skill levels
- Wetsuit: 5mm full suit recommended
Summer Diving (June-August)
- Water Temperature: 22-26°C
- Visibility: Very good (20-30 meters)
- Marine Life: Peak activity, breeding seasons
- Conditions: Warmest waters, busiest season
- Wetsuit: 3mm shorty or full suit
Autumn Diving (September-November)
- Water Temperature: 20-24°C
- Visibility: Excellent (25-40 meters)
- Marine Life: Active feeding, good fish populations
- Conditions: Best overall diving season
- Wetsuit: 5mm full suit
Winter Diving (December-February)
- Water Temperature: 14-18°C
- Visibility: Outstanding (30-40+ meters)
- Marine Life: Different species, less activity
- Conditions: Weather dependent, rough seas possible
- Wetsuit: 7mm full suit or dry suit
Certification & Courses: Learn to Dive in Paradise
Beginner Programs
- Try Scuba: Pool introduction, no certification
- Discover Scuba: First ocean experience
- PADI Scuba Diver: Limited certification to 12 meters
- PADI Open Water: Full basic certification to 18 meters
Advanced Training
- Advanced Open Water: Deep diving, navigation, specialties
- Rescue Diver: Emergency response training
- Divemaster: Professional level certification
- Instructor Development: Teaching qualification
Specialty Courses Available
- Wreck Diving: Specializing in historical wrecks
- Underwater Photography: Camera techniques and composition
- Night Diving: Exploring underwater world after dark
- Deep Diving: Safely diving to 40 meters
- Nitrox: Extended bottom time diving
Dive Into Kos Waters
The underwater world of Kos offers experiences as rich and diverse as the island's surface attractions. From shallow snorkeling adventures perfect for families to challenging deep wreck dives for experienced divers, the crystal-clear Aegean waters provide year-round diving opportunities.
Whether you're interested in:
- Learning to Dive: Professional PADI/SSI instruction in perfect conditions
- Archaeological Diving: Exploring underwater historical sites
- Marine Photography: Capturing Mediterranean underwater life
- Wreck Exploration: Discovering maritime history beneath the waves
- Family Snorkeling: Safe shallow water adventures for all ages
Kos provides the ideal setting for underwater adventures that combine natural beauty, historical intrigue, and marine biodiversity in the warm, clear waters of the Greek islands.
Plan Your Underwater Adventure in Kos
Ready to explore beneath the waves? Book your diving courses, schedule guided dives, rent snorkeling equipment, and discover why Kos is considered one of the Mediterranean's premier diving destinations!
