Mediterranean · Greece
Ios & Folegandros
Koumbara’s underwater mountain, the historic Patris wreck and a stalactite cave
Two Cyclades islands that each run their own diving. Ios mixes shore dives straight off Mylopotas beach with boat dives around the island; its sites include Koumbara’s underwater mountain, the Patris shipwreck and the stalactites of Vardia Cave, with easy bays such as Dromi for newcomers. On Folegandros daily inflatable-boat trips take certified divers, freedivers and snorkellers along a coast of caves, reefs and walls, where the cave of Georgitsis and the reefs of Agios Ioannis are among the most interesting spots.
About diving in Ios & Folegandros
On Ios shore dives go straight in from the sand of Mylopotas, the main beach, and a dive boat runs to sites around the rest of the island. Boat dives are for certified divers who want to explore further and go deeper, while the beach dives are the relaxed option. On Folegandros daily trips go out on an inflatable boat with certified scuba divers, freedivers and snorkellers on board.
Ios has swim-throughs, Koumbara’s underwater mountain and “the wall”, the labyrinth of rock at Tris Klissies and the stalactites of Vardia Cave. It also has wrecks: the Patris, a fishing boat wreck busy with fish, and a World War II plane wreck set against deep blue water. Folegandros adds caves, reefs and walls, from the cave of Georgitsis to the reefs of Agios Ioannis and Serfiotiko and the seabed off Agios Georgios, Livadi and Vorina.
The islands suit a mixed group. Newcomers have easy, calm sites such as Dromi Bay, Tris Klissies and Delfiniki Island, and freedivers can share several of the same spots. The Patris wreck needs good buoyancy control and Vardia Cave careful navigation, so both are left to experienced divers, as is Fanari Cape, a rocky-bottomed site off Ios that reaches 21 m.
Best time to dive Ios & Folegandros
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Prime | Good | Good | Good |
Diving is possible all year. From October to May the water sits between 16 and 20 °C, cool enough to call for a thicker wetsuit. Late spring brings the calmer seas, and from June to September the water warms to between 22 and 25 °C, with visibility often beyond 30 m. July and August are the Meltemi months, when the wind can make the sea choppy and change the day's dive plan. September keeps the summer water as the seas settle again, before the cooling from October.
Dive types & marine life
Loggerhead turtles are the seasonal visitors, frequenting the waters of Ios between May and October. Barracuda and octopus are among the life around Delfiniki Island.
- Wall
- Reef
- Wreck
- Cave & cavern
- Sea turtles
- Barracuda
- Octopus & cuttlefish
Best dive sites in Ios & Folegandros
- 1
Koumbara
Underwater mountain off Ios, one of the island’s boat-dive sites.
- 2
Shipwreck of Patris
The historic Patris wreck, an advanced scuba site off Ios.
- 3
Vardia Cave
Advanced cave dive with impressive stalactites and unusual rock formations.
- 4
Tris Klissies
Easy rock site with colourful sponges and a wide mix of fish, open to scuba and freediving.
- 5
Delfiniki Island
Easy island dive known for its clear water, suited to scuba divers and freedivers alike.
- 6
Dromi Bay
Easy bay dive best for newcomers, used for both scuba and freediving.
- 7
Cave of Georgitsis
Folegandros cave counted among the island's most interesting dive spots.
Site guides
Cave & cavern
Ancient stalactites in an air pocket at the back of the cave
How to get to Ios & Folegandros
Both islands are reached by ferry: ferries and fast catamarans run daily from Piraeus to Ios, and the crossing from Santorini to Folegandros takes about 45 minutes. On Ios the dive companies work from the port and from Mylopotas; the Folegandros diving centre is in Hora.
Questions divers ask
Which Ios dive sites are for experienced divers?+
The Patris shipwreck and Vardia Cave are advanced scuba sites: the wreck needs good buoyancy control and the cave careful navigation. Dromi Bay, Tris Klissies and Delfiniki Island are easy dives.
Can divers dive from shore on Ios?+
Yes. Shore dives go straight in from the main beach at Mylopotas, and a dive boat reaches new sites around the rest of the island.
How is diving organised on Folegandros?+
A diving centre in Hora runs daily trips on its inflatable boat, taking certified scuba divers, freedivers and snorkellers together.
Sources
- Boat Dives – Ios Boat Tours — Meltemi Watersports
- PADI scuba diving — Mylopotas Watersports
- Scuba Diving for Certified Divers — Sea-U Folegandros
- Folegandros — Mysterious Greece
- Ios dive sites — Scubago
- Folégandros Average Sea Temperatures — seatemperature.org
- Folegandros — Wikivoyage
- Amazing Hikes and Dives in Ios — travel.gr
- Ios — Wikivoyage
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