FAQs · Destination Guide
Volcanic Aegean reefs, easy training bays and Hippocratic island culture
Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 26 sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers sourced from research and local operating patterns.
The best practical dive season in Kos is May to October, with September and October the strongest all-around choice for many divers. In that late-season window, the sea is still warm after summer, July and August crowds are easing, and the Meltemi wind is usually less persistent. June to August can be excellent too, especially for training and local Kefalos sites, but exposed Pserimos, Nisyros, wreck or wall trips may change with wind. Winter is better treated as culture season than a reliable dive holiday.
Yes. Kos is well suited to beginners, Discover Scuba participants, junior divers and Open Water students because many local sites are shallow, clear and close to shore or short boat runs. Kastri, Agios Stefanos, Psalidi training areas and easy Kefalos routes give new divers simple entries, visual reef structure and manageable depths. Beginners should still choose a licensed dive center, avoid windy exposed days, and accept a refresher if they have not dived recently. Thor Star, deeper walls and drift routes are better for experienced divers.
The most useful Kos short list is Kastri Islet Reef for classic scenery and training, Three Rocks for rocky canyons, Krikelos for a more adventurous wall feel, and Skala or Limnionas for western reef profiles. If weather and operator schedules allow, add Pserimos for The Potteries, The Gardens and the Thor Star wreck. The Potteries is especially important because of protected amphoras, so divers must follow guide instructions and avoid touching or disturbing anything. Exact site choice should follow the wind forecast.
Yes, Thor Star is commonly marketed as a Pserimos wreck excursion from the Kos area, but it should be treated as a weather-dependent advanced day rather than a guaranteed daily dive. The wreck lies in sections, with shallow parts and a stern near 24 m, so operators may require solid buoyancy, recent experience and appropriate certification. It is best scheduled early in your trip so a wind delay can be rebooked. Bring a dive computer, SMB and proof of insurance.
Kos is very good for casual snorkeling if you choose beaches by wind direction. Agios Stefanos and Kastri are the signature family route, combining shallow water, islet views and ruins onshore. Paradise or Bubble Beach adds the novelty of volcanic bubbles, while Camel Beach and Cavo Paradiso can be beautiful on calm days. Tigaki, Marmari and Lambi are beginner-friendly sandy beaches, but north-coast chop can reduce comfort. Bring water shoes, sun protection and a shorty in May or October.
Kos water is warmest in high summer and early autumn. For snorkelers and casual swimmers, July to September usually feels best, with August around 26°C in many beach-planning references. Divers can extend the season because wetsuits make May, October and sometimes arranged late-autumn dives more comfortable. Regional Dodecanese dive guidance places summer water around 22°C to 27°C and winter closer to 15°C to 18°C. September is often the best comfort-to-crowd compromise.
Most dive travelers fly into Kos International Airport, Ippokratis, with IATA code KGS. In summer, direct and charter flights link Kos with many European cities, while Athens connections are useful outside peak season. Kefalos is convenient for Kastri and southwest sites, while Kos Town and Psalidi are better for ferries, bikes and nightlife. Ferries also connect Kos with Piraeus, Rhodes, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, Lipsi and Nisyros. Pre-book taxis, rental cars or operator transfers in July and August.
Kos does not have the same kind of visitor marine-park tag that divers may know from destinations such as Bonaire. The more important rule is Greece's protection of underwater antiquities. Amphoras, pottery, wreck material and archaeological objects must not be touched, moved, collected or disturbed. Some sites or activities may be controlled by permissions and operator procedures. At Pserimos sites such as the Potteries, follow the guide closely and ask about photography rules before entering the water.
No. Kos should be planned as a land-based local diving destination, not a liveaboard trip. The normal format is to stay in a hotel or apartment, dive with local centers from Kefalos, Psalidi, Kos Town, Mastichari or Kardamena, and add day boats to nearby sites when weather allows. Pserimos, Kalymnos and Nisyros can feel like mini expeditions, but they are still day-trip style. This makes Kos especially good for couples, families and mixed groups with different water interests.
Non-divers have plenty to do in Kos. The strongest half-day options are the Asclepieion, Kos Town archaeology, a coastal bike ride, Therma hot springs, Tigaki or Alikes nature stops, Plaka Forest and a Zia sunset. A full-day Nisyros volcano trip is the best excursion if boat schedules and wind cooperate. In peak summer, plan ruins, cycling and walking early, then use midday for beach, pool or shade. Kos Town, Psalidi and Kefalos are the easiest mixed-group bases.
Kos recreational diving is generally straightforward when operators choose sites according to wind, current, certification and recent experience. The main planning risks are Meltemi chop, boat traffic, deeper wreck or wall profiles, and overconfidence on vacation. Kos has a general hospital and local emergency services, but dive-specific recompression routing should be confirmed with your operator and insurer before you dive. In an emergency, call 112 or local services first, then DAN Europe or your dive insurer for specialist dive-medicine coordination.