Snorkel with wild Dolphins (or Tuna school) 🤿🐬⛵ 2026

Tuna school or dolphins. Find them and snorkel with them!

A lifetime experience in your 2026 summer holidays to Halkidiki

Together with charterAyacht, we are organizing in 2026 snorkel trips with the tuna schools and wild dolphins paks, south of Sithonia, Halkidiki, Greece. Totally eco-friendly sailing for the deep water trip into the Aegean. The open sea holds a certain magic that you simply cannot find near the crowded beaches, where the silence of the water is broken only by the rhythmic sound of the waves against our hull as we search for the ocean’s most elusive inhabitants.

This is not a zoo, and it is not a staged encounter. We go where the sea is deep and alive, beyond the sheltered bays, and we search patiently. Some days the dolphins show first, riding the bow wave and circling the boat. Other days we find the fast-moving tuna schools, and you can feel the energy in the water. The whole experience is built around respect for wildlife, quiet sailing, and good seamanship, so the animals can choose to stay close. Weather and luck always play a role, so please come with the right mindset and a bit of patince.

Go on an adventure and join us for a once-in-a-lifetime snorkelling experience with wild dolphins or tuna schools off the coast of Sithonia, Halkidiki, Greece! Using low-emission, eco-friendly sailboats, you have the opportunity to witness and swim alongside the incredible pod of wild dolphins that inhabit these waters. Our experienced instructors and marine biologist guides will ensure your safety at sea while teaching you all about spotting, swimming with and understanding these majestic creatures. We believe that observing these animals in their natural habitat is a privilige that requires us to be humble guests in their home.

From Porto Koufo, we have quick access to open water, which is exactly what we need for these encounters. Visibility is often best on calm mornings, and after a few days of stable weather the water can be beautifully clear. In mid-summer the Meltemi wind can pick up in the Aegean, so we plan routes and timing carefully and we always keep safety first. If the sea state is not right, we adapt, we wait, or we change the plan. That flexibility is part of doing it properly, and it keeps the trip enjoyable for everyone, even if you are not a hardcore swimer.

Features:

• All safety gear provided
• Experienced instructors/marine biologists as guide
• Low emission ecofriendly sailboats
• Possibility to snorkel or scuba dive with wild dolphins & tuna schools

Benefits:

• Connect with nature in a respectful way
• Get up close to observe these majestic creatures
• Learn more about marine life from our experts who share their knowledge
• A rejuvenating and incredible experience that will stay with you forever!

These full-day trips offer a thrilling once in a lifetime experience. Here is the video from our day trips

If you are curious about the broader area you are sailing in, Sithonia is the middle peninsula of Halkidiki, with Porto Koufo as one of the safest natural harbours in Greece. You can read a bit more about Halkidiki geography on Wikipedia. For sea conditions, winds, and a rough idea of what the day may feel like on deck, check the official forecasts from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service. For general guidance on protected species and responsible wildlife encounters in Greece, the Greek Government portal is a good starting point. We follow the same common-sense rules locals use, keep distance, avoid chasing, and keep the engine use low whenever possible.

We organize eco-friendly sailboat private tuna or dolphins-watching snorkel or scuba trips for your group that include a master diver instructor to make sure you are safe and make the experience as rewarding as possible. Equipment is available for rental. If you want to get a feel for our wider sailing and diving day trips in the area, have a look at portoscuba.com and choose what matches your comfort level and your holiday plan. Our goal is to provide a seamless transition from the busy tourist hubs to the serene and untamed beauty of the deep Aegean blue.

Private starting points from Kassandra and Sithonia. For a special offer, tell us where you are staying and how many people are in your group, and we will suggest the best departure point and timing. Families, couples, and groups of friends are all welcome, as long as everyone understands this is a real offshore trip. You will be on a sailboat for hours, you may get salt spray, and yes, sometimes you get wet even before you enter the water. That is part of the fun, and it is also why we keep the group small and the briefing clear. Being on the water for the 1^st time can be overwhelming, but our crew is there to make you feel at home.

Typical Itinerary:

• Pickup from Porto Koufo at 11:00
• Master diver and skipper briefing on procedures of going in the water getting out and proper behaviour while observing the dolphins.
• Sail towards the area where we find the dolphins and make rounds until we spot them
• Enjoy a once in a lifetime experience.
• Return towards Marathias beach for a relaxing swimming
• Return to base at about 18:00

During the briefing we also cover the small details that make a big difference. How to enter the water calmly, how to keep your fins away from others, how to avoid splashing, and how to position yourself so you are observing rather than pursuing. With dolphins especially, the best moments happen when you are relaxed and still. They are curious, and they will sometimes come closer on their own. With tuna schools, we keep the approach even more careful, because they move fast and the water can feel very dynamic. We do not touch, we do not feed, and we do not try to block their path. It sounds simple, but it takes a skipper and guide team that is focused and calm, not rushed.

What to bring is also straightforward. A swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a light layer for the ride back if the wind cools down. Bring water and a few snacks, and if you are prone to seasickness, take your usual remedy early, not after you start feeling bad. A waterproof phone pouch helps for boat photos, but in the water we recommend being present rather than filming every second. Many guests tell us the best memory was the sound and the movement around them, not what they captured on camera, even if they were a bit shakey after the adrenaline. By the 2^nd hour of sailing, you will notice how the horizon shifts your perspective completely.

It is required that all participants that will snorkel are adults and know how to swim and use the snorkel equipment very well. If you are unsure of your skills it is better to go to Nomad diving school for a lesson a couple of days before the trip. Safety is the cornerstone of our operations, and we never compromise on the standards set for open water excursions. We want you to leave with memories of the 3^rd encounter you had with the marine life, feeling confident and inspired by the vastness of the sea.

If you are a certified diver and you want the scuba option, tell us in advance so we can plan equipment and profiles properly. We keep the dive conservative, and we always prioritize the conditions on the day. The Aegean can change quickly, and a safe, relaxed dive is always better than pushing for a perfect shot. Our aim is to give you a real offshore encounter that feels wild but still controlled, with clear communication from the skipper and the master diver throughout. Whether you join us for the 1^st time or you are a returning adventurer, we look forward to sharing the wonders of the deep with you.