ValentinaMY ALL TIME FAVOURITE BEACHES FOR SNORKELING IN KEFALONIA
Do you love snorkeling? If the answer is yes, Kefalonia is the right island for you. Kefalonia offers lots of beautiful spots for snorkelling. Little coves and rocky beaches with clear and crystalline waters, which are perfect for snorkeling. There are a lot of different fishes around and if you are lucky enough, you might also get the chance to spot the caretta caretta turtle. Can’t wait to delve into that mesmerizing submerged world? Then keep on reading this post to find out which are the best beaches for snorkeling in Kefalonia!
BEST SPOTS FOR SNORKELING IN KEFALONIA
Below you will find a list of my favourite beaches for snorkeling in Kefalonia based on my experience.
- AMANDAKIS BEACH: the best spot for snorkeling in Kefalonia
- AGIOS THOMAS BEACH
- KIMILIA BEACH
- EMPLISI BEACH
- FOKI BEACH
- DAFNOUDI
- PESSADA
- KAKO LAGADI BEACH
In my opinion, the best snorkeling beaches are in the Northern part of the island. Usually, the seabed is stony with rocks, which, in case of a rough sea, prevent the waters to get murky. This kind of marine landscape is usually highly populated with fishes and crabs. The downside of the beaches facing North or East is that the sun will go down early. The majority of beaches in Kefalonia are made of stones, pebbles and rocks. Because of this, I recommend bringing along a comfortable pair of shoes or water shoes. So get your swim fins ready and let’s explore!
AMANDAKIS BEACH: BEST SNORKELING BEACH
This is the best place I have been to for snorkeling in Kefalonia!!
Off the beaten track, this is a corner of heaven in the southern part of Kefalonia. This place is absolutely among the most beautiful places for snorkeling I have ever seen.
The beach consists of a massive slanted rock that slowly dives into the water on one side. On the other side, the rock drops steeply into the blue. To reach the rock you will have to cross a little bridge over a narrow ravine. You can explore the ravine by swimming through a natural bridge.
The sea bottom is amazing. The waters are crystal-clear, plenty of fish, shallow and deep pools to explore and you can see ahead for meters.
The waters are so clear that you wouldn’t even need a mask. When we got there the quite wavy. However, due to the conformation of the rocks, the part facing towards Lourdata was calm like a lake. The wind was blowing from North West, so it’s probably better if you go when the wind is not coming from South. There are a few parasols and sunbeds, free to use. The place is not very easy to be found. There is a steep and narrow drive down with a small car park at the end, but the effort will be repaid!
BONUS TIP: wait for the sunset and walk just above the beach. From the path you came from turn right: there is a perfect spot to see the sunset and an amazing view over the cliff and the turquoise waters that will steal your breath.
| SUNBEDS & UMBRELLAS | YES |
| TAVERNA/BAR | NO |
AGIOS THOMAS BEACH
Two beaches in one! The first thing you’ll see when you arrive is a little sandy beach with crystal clear and shallow waters. However, if you walk towards the right, you will have a big block of rocks with a ladder to enter the water.
But don’t stop there as the most beautiful part has yet to come!
If you keep walking you will enjoy the view of the rocky coast excavated by the restless action of the sea. The cave is filled with turquoise waters perfect for a snorkeling exploration! There is also a ladder which comes in handy.
Keep walking along the rocks that seem to be endless. Here you will find some beautiful natural pools carved by the water. There are like small ecosystems, like little aquariums and if you stop and watch you will see how much life there is in those little puddles.
The water is clean and clear and also warm that you won’t resist immersing yourself in one of them for a relaxing bath😊.
There is one taverna and a nice cocktail bar that serves food as well with an amazing view on the beach! There is also a shower available for everyone. Just remember to leave the car in the car park in front of the church because there isn’t much parking near the beach and risk to get stuck especially if you have a big car.
| SUNBEDS & UMBRELLAS | YES |
| TAVERNAS/BAR | YES |
KIMILIA BEACH
A secluded and enchanting beach of Caribbean colours. To get to the beach you will have to follow a path into the woods. You can leave your car in the car park that you will find at the end of an unpaved road. White pebbles lapped by crystalline waters, ravishing nature with trees entrenched into the cliff.
There weren’t many people which made everything even more magical and relaxing. We found ourselves a little private strip of beach on the left behind some rocks. Otherworldly location. I particularly enjoyed snorkeling towards the right part where you’ll find what I call the little heart bay :).
If you swim towards the left you will find another little and hidden beach. Kimilia is one of the best snorkeling beaches in Kefalonia. Kimilia beach is 8/9 minutes by car from Fiskardo. There aren’t any tavernas nor bars so bring your own food.
| SUNBEDS & UMBRELLAS | NO |
| TAVERNA/BAR | NO |
EMPLISI BEACH
Emplisi beach is a stony beach nestled in an enchanting bay with turquoise waters. It can get a bit busy with children playing around. This is why my favourite spot was on the slanted rocks on the left: airy and quitter. So close to the water I just had to jump in. The rocks also offer a good shelter for fishes and other marine creatures so it’s even better for snorkeling. I also manage to spot a Moray down there!
There is a little bar selling food and drinks which also rents sunbeds.
Emplisi beach is just a couple of minutes by car from Fiskardo. You can also reach the beach by walking along the main road. Don’t try to find a trail as we did because there isn’t one! Someone on the internet said there was a path from the ancient basilica in Fiskardo, so we decided to give it a go. We took the path and ended up in a resort asking a gardener for information!
So maybe it’s better to drive there. You can park alongside the street. If you decide to walk it should take around 20/25 minutes.
On the contrary, you might want to take the path just behind the bar. There is a gate but is open: from here just walk along the coast and enjoy the stunning view over Emplisi beach. This trail will take you to the secluded and lesser-known Manali beach.
| SUNBEDS & UMBRELLAS | YES |
| TAVERNAS/BAR | YES |
FOKI BEACH
The lake of Kefalonia I call it!
Foki beach is somewhat surreal. The sea is so calm and the bay is surrounded by ravishing vegetation, greenery and cypresses trees that almost touch the sea. The calm crystalline waters lapping the pebble beach, the rough rocks with pines and trees…could almost make you believe to be in some North American location.
This beach is one of the most peculiar I have ever seen. The seabed in some points is kind of unusual, with tree trunks at the bottom here and there. In some areas is a bit muddy like a lake but the water is crystal clear everywhere.
You can take a nap under the shade of knotted ancient olive trees. For those who want a bit of adventure instead, follow the path in the trees to explore the little caves and don’t forget the snorkel mask. You can also reach the caves by swimming from the beach.
Bring along some flip-flops or water shoes as the pebbles on Foki beach are actually the worse in all Kefalonia!
Ensure you pay a visit to the typical taverna Foki which cooks the best pork souvlaki in Kefalonia, maybe in Greece as far as I’m concerned!
There is a small car park on the way to Fiskardo or you can park along the road. Foki beach is also at a walkable distance from Fiskardo. From our Stella apartments, the beach was about 12 minutes so from the town centre it would be approximately 20 minutes.
| SUNBEDS & UMBRELLAS | NO |
| TAVERNAS/BAR | NO |
DAFNOUDI
The beach of the Monk seals. Dafnoudi beach is a secluded and wild beach. Because of this, it is said to be one of the favourite sights for Monk seals.
Of course, the chances to spot one are very low, but you never know! If you do see one just be careful not to scare it away.
Even if you don’t see a seal, you will still enjoy the peace and natural beauty of this pebbly beach lapped by gin-clear waters. Snorkel around and explore the little cave on the right and its hidden shady beach. Abandon yourself to the tranquil atmosphere of this place and enjoy the view over Lefkada.
Dafnoudi is completely immersed in nature. You can only get there by walking along a beautiful trail in the woods. The first part is a paved path, then it becomes a track. It’s an easy track of almost 800 meters in total. The beach is 10 minutes by car from Fiskardo.
You will end up at a dead end. You can leave the car on the side of the road and take the footpath. This place is far away from any human activity and this is its charm. There are no bars nor services. Bring some food and drinks with you, but always remember that there are lots of wasps around as I mention in my post “Kefalonia Travel Guide”.
If you are a nature lover you can’t miss this beach.
| SUNBEDS & UMBRELLAS | NO |
| TAVERNAS/BAR | NO |
PESSADA BEACH
A little, lovely sandy beach. it is a bit hidden near the Pessada but still quite busy and that’s a shame because the beach is very small and it would be even more beautiful.
I suggest going early in the morning or maybe later in the afternoon. The car park is very small, although you can find some spots beside the wall along the tiny road that leads you to the car park.
There are some steep stairs to go down to the beach but nothing to be scared of and they also provide a fabulous view on the beach. Perfect spot for a picture.
It has a sort of exotic look with rushes on the back of the beach and crystalline waters. If the sea is calm you can go snorkeling near the rocks where the mountain slope.
But don’t be fooled like many others, because Pessada does not end here. To be more precise, this beach is Paralia Pessada. Pessada beach is actually a bit further to the west. If you have comfortable shoes and you like exploring and trekking, start walking west on the rocks or take the trail that you will see from the stairs on your right when coming down.
Keep walking until reach a beautiful, enchanting, little beach nestled among the rocks. The colours are so vibrant and the water is just amazing. It’s a cute strip of sand hidden from the crowd. However, as I said in my Kefalonia Travel Guide, Kefalonia is a popular location for Greek people and tourists from East Europe, Italian and British. Lots of people are looking for nature and secluded beaches, so you will find someone wherever you go.
The little beach provides easy access to the sea. Shallow waters slowly become deeper and you can spend all day snorkelling along the rocks.
| SUNBEDS & UMBRELLAS | NO |
| TAVERNAS/BAR | NO |
KAKO LAGADI BEACH
This beach is for all adventuresome! Kako Lagadi is a hidden gem in Kefalonia. Not hidden enough though, because there are some crazy people like us here as well!
I say crazy in a good way. This little beach is on the eastern coast near Skala, 45 km from Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia. You will have to park along the main road and follow the navigator as there are no signs. The most difficult thing here is to find the right path to get to the beach!
We took what we tough was the main trail among trees and bushes and got to a point where we were almost giving up! The path ended and the only way to get down was to climb a steep boulder. Luckily a guy from the beach came to our rescue and told us to go around and find the other trail. So once you park your car, you will have to climb over the guardrail which is a bit further up from where you probably parked your car. There is a kind of ravine and the trail is just before that. You will still need comfortable shoes because it gets a bit steeper but far better than the other path we took!
The effort will be recompensated! A little and intimate pebble shore with a breathtaking view of the massive rocks that create caves gorgeous caves and natural bridges over the sea.
You will feel castaway in this secluded location. A Jurassic landscape ready to be explored.
Bring your fins, snorkelling mask, and waterproof bag for your phone to shoot some amazing videos. ADVICE: the sun disappears quite early from this strip of land so it would be better to go in the morning.
| SUNBEDS & UMBRELLAS | NO |
| TAVERNAS/BAR | NO |
As you might have already figured out, Kefalonia conceals a great variety of beaches and landscapes, but the constant factor is amazing and crystal clear waters everywhere on the island. Snorkeling in Kefalonia is an unforgettable experience!
So if you are planning a holiday here, don’t forget your snorkeling mask and check out my other posts about Kefalonia for more travel tips.
