Kefalonia has an amazing coastline, marine life and u/w landscape for one to discover. We may provide Guided Snorkeling by boat at Blue Manta Diving & Aquanautic Club, as certified operators, but there are lots of sites easily accessible for everyone to visit. So here are some tips or what we call “Snorkeling Paths”; some itineraries we have explored, and you can easily follow and discover the colorful u/w world.
So here are some:
- Mounda Beach (Skala). Enter the water where the road to Mounda ends and head left (North). The water is shallow, and rocks are the projection of the layers seen out of the water. At some point you see a small, unsealed road ending up at the seaside and putting this on your back head to some rocks rising almost up to the surface. Usually there are marked by buoys; around there you can find metal parts (look for the bathtub!) of a boat wrecked in the shallows, and on top of the rocks fragments of ancient amphora embedded on the rock. Carry on towards the tip of the cape (South) and follow the coast to return. Along your way will be seeing patches of rock and Neptune seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) – the equivalent of coral reef for Mediterranean as it supports all marine life and is a nursery for small fish and marine creatures. The site is full of schools of small black damselfish (or their neon blue juveniles!) families of graceful and colorful parrotfish, mullets and all kinds of wrasses shoals of all kinds of breams (look for the golden plated Cow breams) and …invasive spine-foots. Keep your eyes open for octopuses within the rocks and Loggerhead sea turtles in the distance.
- Limenia Beach (in between Skala and Poros). Enter the water at the right end of the beach, having the small dry stream on your back. Head right (South) following the coastline. At the footsteps of the rock there is Neptune seagrass (Posidonia oceanica). Damselfish, parrotfish, wrasses, breams and grey mullets are feeding on the algae and sea plants. Where there are shady holes on the rock, colorful sponges and false corals find …darkness to flourish, but you will have probably to skin dive for seeing them. However, small dusky groupers, bright red cardinal fish and moray eels stick their heads out of the shelters to watch the visitors. Most probably you will be able to spot an invasive lionfish as conditions at this site favor them. If lucky you may see a school of amberjacks sweeping the tip of the cape (especially in May and June) and if you go further around the cape and light conditions are good you may even manage seeing a broken small metal wreck that rests in a bit of deep water, there. Don’t forget that a bit further down the coast is Kako Lagadi small beach and you could even access, especially if you use flippers.
- Megali Ammos Beach (Minies, next to the airport). Enter the water at the right side of the beach and head right (North) until the opening on the rocks allows you to see the other beach. From there follow the rocky seabed across to the islet seen few hundred meters to the west- or you can skip this part and head directly to the islet. Explore around it and insist to the north side where the bottom is rocky and shallow to some extent. The shallows attract all kind of wrasses and breams, red mullets and damselfish, parrotfish, groupers and more. Keep your eyes open for octopuses and slipper lobsters camouflaged within the rocks and if lucky for some foraging Giant Triton shell. Sponges and sea urchins complete the Mediterranean u/w panorama.
- Lagadakia Beach (Lixouri). Enter the water at the right side of the small pebble beach and head right (West). Carry on past the next small beach and start exploring the rocky coastline. Keep an eye for a pile of stones on top of the rocks marking the entrance of a cavern- or it is easy to look for the entrance itself. You can safely swim to enter. The opening is shallow and in the middle of the wide cavern you also can step on the smooth rock. You are standing in the middle of an impressive dome, created by fresh water curving the limestone for millennia. On your way there and back, you will see patches of seagrass and rocks, inhabited by parrotfish, damselfish and wrasses. Water is a bit chill as fresh water is coming from the land, but this discomfort to small fish (and for you probably!) brings occasionally schools of Mediterranean barracudas or red snappers that take advantage of thermocline to surprise their prey.
Tips and warnings
- Make sure you don’t snorkel further that you could comfortably and safely return from. Also keep an eye on changing weather conditions. Although these itineraries are within areas with safe and smooth conditions, if you feel being drifted by current or winds picking up, play it safe and return.
- It is highly recommended to carry a highly visible swimming buoy with you so not only you are spotted by boats but also you have a buoyancy aid to use for rest. In general, is safer to stay close to the rocks of the coast. If you hear the sound of a boat, rise your head out of the water to spot the boat and do not hesitate to wave with the buoy, signal, splash or shout to state your presence if you feel the boat is coming close. Carrying a whistle on your buoy is a great idea and also wearing a snorkeling vest, especially if you are not too confident with your swimming endurance.
- There are no really dangerous marine creatures in the sea of Kefalonia, as long as you avoid touch or step on a sea urchin or touch a pink jelly fish. But having a mask on, not only gives you the opportunity to see in time the jelly fish but also to admire it. Another thing to avoid is stepping on a weever on a sandy beach, but is really very rare for them to come out where you can stand, as most sandy beaches form a step as you walk in. Last but not least, avoid getting too close and definitely do not touch a lionfish- although it will probably keep its distance from you anyway. For any of the above, in case of injury do not hesitate to seek medical advice.
- When buying snorkeling gear choose reputable manufacturers and do not hesitate to invest money for your safety and comfort. Special mention to Full Face snorkeling masks. There are comfortable and great for snorkeling, but if made with a poor design are very dangerous as accumulate carbon dioxide. Usually this happens with cheaply made replicas, where a manufacturer copies a mask without realizing the safety functions of the design. As for this issue, we would gladly provide further information in private communication.
- Keep in mind that removing ancient relics from the bottom of the sea is illegal and can get you in trouble. In most sites you will be able to spot parts of pottery or small clay fragments, curved by the waves. These belong to amphoras roughly 2500-1500 years old. You are most welcomed removing plastic garbage though – as long as you don’t put yourself in peril to collect.
- Always follow rules and best practices such as: stay horizontal at the surface to avoid contacting the reef, get safely in and out of the water without damaging marine flora, do not feed the fish, do not litter, do not touch, harass, or remove marine life, use a reef/marine plants safe sun cream (no parabens and silicones). In general, we recommend and follow the GREEN FINS Environmental Best Practice for Snorkelers.
Needless to say, you can ask for any information or tips you need in order to explore on your own and enjoy the breathtaking coastline of Kefalonia with safety. For us is important to raise awareness on the magnificent but fragile marine ecosystem and introduce people to the u/w world.