Best Greek islands for freediving
Best Greek islands for freediving are islands where the water invites you down, where calm bays, sheer drop-offs and glassy mornings make breath-hold feel effortless, where line and depth sit just meters from shore and the sea holds you on the way back up.
They are islands where freediving becomes a ritual, with still coves at dawn, blue holes and cave mouths to hang above, sun shafts cutting through clear water and quiet tavernas to return to, and that deep, calm, tingling feeling of one breath taking you further than you thought possible.
| Island | Description |
|---|---|
| Amorgos | Featured in Luc Besson cult 1988 film The Big Blue – beautiful Cyclades free-diving thrill – dive operations Katapola Aegiali reef shipwrecked seas visibility barracuda tuna – best Agios Pavlos Nikouria Cavern sponges – Since 2017 Authentic Big Blue tournament – SSI Diamond first freediving center Small Cyclades – elite THE Big Blue island. |
| Milos | Snorkelling great 25 legs 85 hours interesting coastline excellent south coast water quality – most interesting spots Arkoudes Glaronisia Cape Vani Kleftiko Rema Theiorycheia Firlingos Paliochori – white rocks Sarakiniko to colorful east to dark volcanic west. |
| Kea | HMHS Britannic World War I hospital ship sank off Kea 1916 Titanic sister – only advanced divers special permit – Keadivers PADI 5 Star Dive Center Kea Island PADI Scuba Diving TecRec Freediving Snorkelling – elite Britannic advanced + Freediving TecRec. |
| Corfu | Cavern diving centre world Paleokastritsa – Hole of Ha easy cavern dive PADI Open Water fossilised conch stalactites – Chimney 28m Colovri colourful shrimp – plus Freediving possible cavern – elite world cavern centre Hole of Ha freediving cavern. |
| Crete | Skinaria south coast best diving Mediterranean seagrass gorges 30m drop-off moray eels octopus visibility 40m – Elephant's Cave red white stalagmites stalactites fossilised elephant – elite 30m drop-off 40m visibility freediving depth training. |
| Santorini | Nea Kameni Santa Maria wreck 34m steel passenger ship sank 1975 18m under surface all levels underwater lava formations sea caves – elite lava formations sea caves 18m all levels freediving. |
| Kefalonia | HMS Perseus submarine 52m below averages 40m – plus 3 diving centers? Actually Kefalonia diving – elite Perseus 52m 40m freediving advanced. |
| Zakynthos | Marathonisi loggerhead turtles flying fish octopus eels parrotfish – crystal clear waters – elite turtles flying fish freediving. |
| Paros | PADI 5 Star Paros Elite + H20 Nomads + BlueIsland Antiparos Freediving – plus Monastiri Bay natural pool – elite Paros Elite Freediving centers. |
| Naxos | Blue Fin Divers Naxos PADI Freediving? Actually Blue Fin – Nima Dive – exceptional destination Naxos Paros – elite exceptional Naxos Paros freediving visibility. |
| Kalymnos | Kalymnos Diving Center PADI Scuba Freediving – sponge diving tradition depth – elite sponge diving freediving history. |
| Alonissos | National Marine Park monk seal dolphin – fifth-century BC wreck Peristera Parthenon shipwrecks Blue Cave coral sponges nudibranchs groupers – elite National Marine Park monk seal Blue Cave freediving. |
| Mykonos | Mykonos Diving Center established 1978 Psarou Since 2007 Paradise Beach high quality services thousands divers top line instructors best diving spots PADI courses Scubapro Fun Dives clear blue calm conditions Discover Scuba No license – Anna II wreck 62m. |
| Rhodes | Lepia Dive Centre Rhodes PADI TecRec Freediving – Rhodes Diving Academy – Waterhoppers – Easy Divers Freediving – strong 4 centers Freediving. |
| Kos | Sea World Scuba Diving Center Kos + Kos Divers + Pserimos beginner – strong Sea World Kos Freediving. |
| Ios | New Dive Ios PADI Scuba Snorkelling – Mylopotas Beach – strong New Dive Ios. |
| Thassos | Marble Beach white marble pebble turquoise + Giola natural pool rock lagoon bright colors – San Antonio rocks novice, Giola Archangelos wall submarines WWII – strong Giola natural pool freediving bright colors. |
| Koufonisi | Gala natural sea cave pool azure ideal Sikia sea cave analogy – Pori natural pools – strong natural sea cave pool freediving azure ideal. |
| Antipaxos | Voutoumi white pebble turquoise emerald – Sikia sea cave azure ideal analogy – strong emerald white pebble freediving azure ideal. |
| Lefkada | Porto Katsiki white pebble turquoise – bone-white cliffs Kleftiko analogy azure ideal – strong white pebble turquoise freediving azure ideal. |
| Karpathos | Karpathos Diving Center TecRec – Apella emerald pine forest – strong TecRec freediving. |
| Astypalaia | Secluded – strong secluded crystal clear water freediving. |
| Symi | Marathounda sandy boat-only goats – Agios Georgios Disalonas emerald cliff azure ideal – strong goat beach cliff freediving azure ideal. |
| Meganisi | Spilia cave azure ideal – Atherinos emerald – strong Spilia cave azure ideal freediving. |
Who it suits and why
Best for travellers who dive on one breath. Best Greek islands for freediving suit breath hold divers, line training and deep blue seekers – headed by Milos for Kleftiko white caves 5 to 25m and Sarakiniko white tunnels calm mornings, Crete for Elounda WW2 wreck 8 to 15m, Elephant Cave air pocket and Chrissi lagoon clear, Zakynthos for Keri Caves arches 5 to 20m and Marathonisi turtle cleaning stations, Amorgos for The Big Blue fame, Agia Anna wall drop 10 to 40m and Nikouria calm, Kalymnos for Vathy walls and sponge diving heritage with training schools, plus Paros for Monastiri sheltered bay and Blue Lagoon 5 to 15m beginner friendly, and Lefkada for Agios Nikitas deep drop close to shore 10 to 30m. Ideal if you want 20 to 35m visibility, cave rays, no bubbles and training lines.
Less suited to those who want only beach club lounging and late party. If you want Mykonos Paradise Super club till 6am and Malia 50 bars till 4am, freediving islands with 8am line sessions, breath tables, 1 minute down 3 minute up and safety buddy rule will feel too early and disciplined.
What to keep in mind
Freediving in Greece is boat and shore based with schools April to November. Milos, Crete, Zakynthos, Amorgos, Kalymnos, Paros, Lefkada via Preveza have direct UK flights 3 hours 10 to 4 hours 30 May to October or via Athens 45 to 75 minutes, ferries Piraeus to Milos Paros Amorgos Kalymnos 3 to 9 hours 40 to 95 euro. Season best June to September sea 22 to 27 degrees, air 26 to 32, visibility 20 to 35m caldera and walls. Schools run 9am line training and 3pm depth, beginner course 2 days 250 to 350 euro, advanced 300 to 450 euro, boat freedive trip 40 to 70 euro. Greek law buddy system always, no solo, no gloves for antiquity areas.
On the ground base near school and calm bay. Stay Adamas or Pollonia Milos for Kleftiko calm, Elounda Crete for wreck, Katapola Amorgos for Big Blue wall, Masouri Kalymnos for Vathy, Aliki Paros for Monastiri sheltered from meltemi July to August 15 to 25 knots, Agios Nikitas Lefkada for shore drop. Book course 1 week ahead July to August, bring low volume mask and wetsuit 3mm June September, reef shoes for lava Milos, hire car 25 to 45 euro day for bay hop and go late June or early September for 26 to 28 degrees and flat sea versus August wind chop.
Sources
- Featured in Luc Besson cult 1988 film The Big Blue beautiful island Amorgos place to experience thrill free-diving – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/paid-content-best-diving-locations-greece
- Dive operations both ports Katapola Aegiali assist exploring reef shipwrecked-filled seas blessed incredible water visibility sea life barracuda damselfish tuna – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/paid-content-best-diving-locations-greece
- Best dive sites Agios Pavlos Beach Nikouria’s Cavern decorated sponges soft coral habitat spiral worms – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/paid-content-best-diving-locations-greece
- Movie The Big Blue made Amorgos diving waters famous seabed ancient shipwrecks natural reefs interesting spot Nikouria cave colorful sponges fishes shipwreck Marina 3 wrecked 1981 Skinopi – https://amorgos.gr/explore-amorgos/diving/
- Since 2017 Authentic Big Blue been held island free diving tournament honor legendary film Big Blue love story sea two unique athletes endless competition benchmark free-diving community worldwide – https://amorgos.gr/explore-amorgos/diving/
- Amorgos predominately featured rich aquatic life architectural aesthetic 1988 film The Big Blue success transformed international destination tourists and freediving communities – https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowTopic-g189953-i9770-k2117730-Diving_snorkeling_around_Milos-Milos_Cyclades_South_Aegean.html? Actually – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorgos + search result – https://amorgos.gr
- Due to film’s unexpected success Amorgos now home to several international freediving events and meetings – https://www.amexessentials.com/article/20-secret-greek-islands/
- Water clarity off Amorgos among best in Aegean made Luc Besson use it for The Big Blue – https://www.greektriplanner.me/quietest-greek-islands/
- Beaches lapped by seas so clear that film director Luc Besson used Amorgos to shoot his free-diving flick The Big Blue – https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/amorgos-greece/
- Established 2007 beach Aegiali Bay Amorgos Diving Center THE place to learn Freediving SSI Diamond – https://www.amorgos-diving.com/free-diving/
- First diving center in Amorgos and only Freediving center in Small Cyclades with facilities – https://www.amorgos-diving.com/free-diving/
- Located Aegiali bay beach front Amorgos Mediterranean paradise chosen of all Cyclades by filmmaker Luc Besson to shoot his masterpiece The Big Blue blessed laid-back island living crystal clear water – https://www.amorgos-diving.com/free-diving/
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Last Updated on August 19, 2026 by admin