Mediterranean · Greece
Samos
Ancient anchors, a cannon and artefacts scattered over calm Aegean rock
Photo: Gareth1953 All Right Now · CC BY 2.0
Samos is one of the East Aegean Islands, lying very close to the Turkish mainland, and its diving runs by boat from the ancient port of Pythagorion. The water is calm and clear enough for first-time divers, and the sites mix rocky landscape with ancient finds: an old anchor and scattered artefacts at Klima, more artefacts at Sideras, a cannon at Koukouras, and small caverns at the Lighthouse on the island's eastern tip.
About diving in Samos
Diving on Samos is a day-boat affair. The island's first centre works from the ancient port of Pythagorion on the south-east coast and runs daily guided trips on two boats, carrying snorkellers as well as divers; a second centre sits on the main beach at Kokkari. Trips go out when the weather permits rather than when the boat fills, and night dives are organised on request.
The terrain is Aegean rock rather than coral: rocky landscapes with small gorges and caverns at Kyriakou, small caverns at the Lighthouse on the easternmost point, three shallow reefs at Koukouras, and a wall from 19 to 30 m at Klima. Ancient remains are the thread that ties the sites together. Klima has an old anchor at 25 m among artefacts, Koukouras has an old cannon at 12 m and a large anchor at 31 m, and Sideras has artefacts down to 18 m and more below. Octopus, cuttlefish and nudibranchs live among a wide variety of Greek fish.
Calm, clear water makes Samos a good place for new and first-time divers, and most named sites take beginners as well as advanced divers. Karavopetra, a rock that doubles as a drift dive, suits experienced divers; one side of it carries a fishing net on the bottom and the damage it has done. Divers after the wildlife variety of tropical seas will find less of it here, and the interest lies in ancient remains on quiet rock.
Best time to dive Samos
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair |
The tourist season opens in the first week of May, and in May and June the surface sits at 19–21 °C with 17 °C below. From July to October the surface warms to 22–25 °C, about 20 °C at depth, the warmest stretch of the season. The prevailing summer north winds build high waves on exposed coasts, while the bay at Pythagorion stays sheltered from them.
Dive types & marine life
Groupers, octopus and starfish live among the rocks at Koukouras, and cuttlefish and nudibranchs turn up around the island's other sites.
- Reef
- Wall
- Drift
- Night
- Octopus & cuttlefish
- Nudibranchs
Best dive sites in Samos
- 1
Sideras
Landscape of ancient artefacts to 18 m for beginners, with more continuing down to 31 m.
- 2
Karavopetra
Rock dived only when there is no current, to a maximum of 25 m.
- 3
Lighthouse
Small caverns that take beginners and advanced divers, with 20 m visibility on a good day.
- 4
Koukouras
Three beginner reefs to 15 m beside a second, rockier site.
- 5
Klima
Wall dive for Advanced divers, reaching 40 m at its deepest.
- 6
Kyriakou
Rocky landscape for beginners and experienced divers, to 20 m.
Site guides
Pinnacle
A rock with a fishing net on the bottom along one side
Passages winding between a chain of small reefs
Reef
An old cannon at 12 m among scattered ancient artefacts
Wall
A short underwater tunnel through the rocks off Limnionas
Sand slope
A compass swim from the beach to a small reef at 12 m
Rock formations off the south side of the Pythagorio harbour wall
How to get to Samos
Samos International Airport (SMI) has daily flights from Athens (55 minutes) and Thessaloniki (65 minutes), and it is within walking distance of Pythagorion, where one centre runs its boats. Ferries from Piraeus and the Cyclades call at Vathi and Karlovassi, and foot-passenger ferries cross daily from Kuşadası in Turkey from April to October.
Dive videos
Samos Divers - Scuba Diving in Samos - Part 1 · SamosDivers on YouTube
Samos Beneath the Surface - 1 · Alexandros Malagaris on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Is Samos good for beginner divers?+
Yes. The water is generally calm and clear, and the Koukouras reefs, the Lighthouse and the shallower part of Sideras all take beginners. The Klima wall and Karavopetra are left for Advanced and experienced divers.
What can divers see underwater around Samos?+
Mostly history on rock: an old anchor at Klima, a cannon and a large anchor at Koukouras, and ancient artefacts at Sideras, with octopus, cuttlefish and nudibranchs among the Greek fish.
Does wind stop diving on Samos?+
Summer north winds raise high waves on exposed coasts, but the bay at Pythagorion is sheltered from them, and the boats there go out whenever the weather allows.
Are night dives offered on Samos?+
Yes, night dives are organised on request.
Sources
- Samos Dive Centre — Samos Dive Center
- Samos Sub — Samos Sub
- Samos Dive Center (SSI) — SSI
- Samos – Wikivoyage — Wikivoyage
- Sámos Average Sea Temperatures — seatemperature.org
- Koukouras — Duikersgids
Photo credits
- One grey-green octopus spread over coloured pebbles in shallow water, seen through a rippled surface by Gareth1953 All Right Now, CC BY 2.0, via Openverse
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