18 July 2026

A quick note on Mediterranean Monk Seals

Because there aren’t a lot of recent reports, I thought I would do a quick summary of how to see the Mediterranean Monk Seal in a pretty reliable spot not far from Athens. The location is very well known by locals and some of the boats are not ethical or conservation focused, but I won’t be giving away any information about an unknown population, so exact spot can be shared.

Two hours north is the town of Kamena Vourla (Καμένα Βούρλα). You can hire a boat from Poseidon boat rentals (if you know how to operate them) or Dmitri (owner/captain) can take you out to see the seals. His phone/WhatsApp is +30 697 730 1004. He is responsible, very responsive to messages and speaks English. The location to see the seals is the Lichadonisia Islets (Νησίδες Λιχαδονήσια) and the best spot is the SW area around 38.8184797, 22.8162978. They sometimes see as many as 6 at a time, although I only saw one. If you go early before 10:30 you can beat the tourists and accompanying boat traffic going to have cocktails on the two beachfront bars on the island.

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Brett Hartl
Recovering obsessive birder, trying to pay more attention to full diversity of vertebrates (and invertebrates and plants occasionally). I work at the US-based Center for Biological Diversity on endangered species policy and law.
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4 Comments

  • 4 August 2026
    sahucfx

    How much does he charge and how long does the tour last? Thank you 🙂

  • 4 August 2026
    Brett Hartl

    100 euros/hour if you need a driver/captain, 50 euro/hour if you can operate the boat yourself.

  • 11 August 2026
    Robi Watkinson

    Sounds amazing – did you go in the morning (before 10:30am) or evening (before 10:30pm)

    • 11 August 2026
      Brett Hartl

      Early AM before the crowds of silly tourists start arriving at the island for their beach cocktails. Given safety at sea issues I doubt you could be out there towards dusk or dark

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