Sources:MeteoAlarm · Open-Meteo · Copernicus · Sentinel-2 — high confidence · data 22:07
Sources & confidence
Sources
MeteoAlarm · Open-Meteo · Copernicus · Sentinel-2
Method
spearo sea-state engine: consensus of up to 6 models + satellite clarity (ZSD) + buoy-bias checks
Freshness
Re-read every hour, per coast
Compiled by the spearo sea-state engine · How it works →
The verdict comes from seven water factors and hard safety gates — not ten tabs. Go or stay.
How we score the water
Our own model
Our own forecast engine — not a third-party widget. It weighs these water factors into one go-or-stay verdict for this coast; the 0–10 dial is that verdict, read out as a number.
01
Swell & wave memory
Height, period and direction of the swell, plus the wake of recent storms — an old storm still stirs the water, and the engine remembers.
02
Wind & gusts
Speed and gusts, hour by hour — wind speed and an onshore push chop the surface and cut visibility.
03
Tide phase
Timing and range of the tide, calibrated per coast — big spring tides pull the verdict toward caution.
04
Water temperature
Sea-surface temperature — sharply cold water vetoes a green verdict.
05
Currents & outflow
Direction and drift of the current — it pushes you, and it drags turbid coastal water across where you dive.
06
Rain runoff & air clarity
Rain muddies the water inshore through land runoff, while fog and haze cut visibility at the surface.
07
Coast shape & exposure
How the coast faces the swell — a sheltered cove keeps the water clean; an exposed, head-on point takes a penalty.
Safety gates
Thunderstorm forecast — an instant red, no exceptions.
An official warning (MeteoAlarm / IPMA) — yellow, or red for the higher ranks.
Missing input data — a would-be green is capped to yellow rather than overstated.
Strong disagreement between forecast models — a green day is pulled back to yellow.
Night hours — where night spearfishing is banned by law the window is forced red; where it is legal (Australia outside NSW, New Zealand, South Africa) it is capped at yellow, never green.
It all folds into a single 0–10 score and one verdict: go or stay.
A forecast, not a guarantee — the sea has the last word.
Where to get in, where to hunt
Entry points with coordinates
Seabed relief — promising ground
This verdict — in your pocket. Open the app for the week's window.
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0 m
Surface
Wind, wave and the swell windows — when to go and the best hours.
spearo.app
MeteoAlarm no dataupdated 22:07
Exposed coast — Gourna & Archangelos — solo, off the rocks
BEST WINDOW
best weather window · solo, stay careful, run the checklist · calm conditions: swell, wind and visibility all normal
wave 0.2 m head-onwind 8 km/hvisibility ~5 mwindow 06:00–21:00
What's missing? Tell us what you'd like to see — new spots, species, data or features. We read everything.
Your best window — with you. Forecast in your pocket.
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−10 m
The water column
Visibility and what drives it — post-storm clearing, river plume, temperature and the thermocline.
What it is
A marine instrument, go / no-go for solo hunting.
spearo.app folds wind, wave, swell period, visibility, tides, water temperature and risk into a single verdict — go to the spot or not. It computes 7 days ahead from open marine models (Open-Meteo, IPMA), with no sign-up and no accounts. Built for solo spearfishing off the rocks, where any mistake costs dearly.
Now live: 3016 spots across 406 stretches of coast — mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
Early morning, before the wind fills in and before the boats start running to the Partheni yards. All of May is closed and night diving is banned. September–October is best: water still warm, no tourists, dentex and grouper sitting on the slabs.
tide
Tides decide nothing here; the Archangelos strait does: a current runs between the islet and Leros, it changes direction and strengthens after several days of meltemi. Plan your drop so you come back to the boat with it, not against it.
shelter
The rocky north shore of Leros facing the Archangelos islet: islet and coast form a strait, so there is nearly always a lee — in meltemi you tuck under the south side, in a southerly under the north side. Straight past the strait open water begins.
conditions
Fishable in meltemi and in a southerly alike — you just have to pick the right side of the strait. Don't come in strong wind from any direction: it accelerates in the narrows and starts dragging the boat and buoy over the 0–25 m slabs.
hazard
Current in the strait is the main risk: nobody works here without a buoy and a partner. Partheni with its yards and airfield is next door, so there is traffic. Wrecks declared monuments lie in Partheni bay — no gun near them; check the boundaries with the port authority.
access
By boat from Partheni — a short hop, a few minutes. The islet has three sandy coves where you can anchor in the calm and swim out onto the rocky slabs. There is no path down from the Leros shore: you can't reach it on foot.
Rocky N-Leros shore; sea bream and grouper, slabs 0–25 m; Natura area.
Morning before the breeze, which gets up after 11–13 h; the evening gives a fine sunset but the water is already stirred up by swimmers. All of May is closed and night diving is banned. Octopus and sea bream are steadiest in autumn, September to November.
tide
Tides move nothing here, tens of centimetres. What works is the wind-driven set along the west coast: after several days of meltemi the surface layer drains along the shoreline. Shallow and sandy — visibility is the first thing to go, so watch your drift off the buoy.
shelter
A shallow rocky bay on the west coast. The body of the island covers it from the east, so in an easterly it goes glassy. The meltemi spills off the ridge in gusts — the wind turbines up there are no accident — while SW and W drive the wave straight into the bay.
conditions
Fishable in E and SE and in a light northerly. Don't come in W or SW: the shallow bay clouds over within an hour and surge builds on the rocky ends. In a hard meltemi, work the windows between gusts.
hazard
There are reefs off Gourna that come almost to the surface — take the boat in slowly, and when there's a wave running remember exactly where they are. The beach is organised: 200 m from swimmers, no argument. It's a Natura area; check local rules with the port authority.
access
Shore dive: tarmac right to the beach, a big car park, entry over sand with fine gravel — the easiest on the island. The rocky ends and the reefs are a 200–400 m swim, depths are modest. A small boat helps but isn't required.
Shallow rocky bay on the W coast; sea bream and octopus; Natura area.
Come at first light — until midday there's almost nobody, but in August it fills up by lunchtime. All of May is closed to spearfishing in Greece, and so is sunset to sunrise. Sea bream and dentex come most reliably in September and October.
tide
Sea level is no argument here — centimetres. What counts is the water exchange around the cape: a flow runs along the drop, colder and cleaner than in the neighbouring bays, and it quietly pulls you along the shore. Check your drift against the buoy every few minutes.
shelter
A steep NE cape by Partheni: the rock drops straight in and there is almost no shallow shelf. From S and SW the land covers the shore, but the N and NE meltemi hits here with no protection at all, with open water in front.
conditions
Fishable in S and SW — the water sits still and visibility is excellent. Don't come in a fresh N or NE: surge builds against the drop and getting back out over the rocks becomes more dangerous than the hunting itself.
hazard
WWII wrecks — ships and aircraft — lie nearby and are declared monuments: you do not approach them with a gun, guided diving only. The sector may be declared an underwater historical site — check with the Leros port authority. And the drop-off forgives no mistakes.
access
Shore dive: tarmac from the Panagia Kioura chapel in Partheni, the last stretch is dirt but a normal car gets through. The beach is small, sand with pebbles, easy entry, and the rock wall starts immediately after. No sunbeds, no water — bring your own.
Steep NE cape, near WWII wrecks (do not approach them); sea bream and dentex; Natura.
Morning before the breeze — the water sits like glass; after midday the wind gets up. All of May is closed to spearfishing in Greece, and night diving is banned too. In August half the beach is under sunbeds and the airfield is next door — June and September–October are quieter.
tide
Level plays no part here — tens of centimetres at most. Something else does: after a few days of meltemi water piles into the bay and drains out past the islets, giving a weak set. After a hard blow the fine sand hangs in the water for hours.
shelter
North-facing bay next to Partheni: the land closes it off completely from S and SW. The NW meltemi comes over the top, but the wave breaks up on the islets Trypiti and Strongylo on the approach. E and SE come in head-on — no shelter from those.
conditions
Fishable in S and SW, and often still working in a moderate meltemi when the open north coast is already off. Don't come in E or SE: the wave walks straight in and the sandy 0–10 m bottom clouds over within an hour.
hazard
NW of the bay at 16 m lies the Heinkel He 111 bomber — a declared monument, guided diving only, no gun. The sector may be a declared underwater historical site: check with the Leros port authority before you put a speargun in the water there.
access
Shore dive: tarmac from Partheni, parking by the single taverna, entry over soft sand and fine shingle. The rocky ends of the bay are a 150–250 m swim. On the SE side there are jetties and a dry boat yard — best stay away from that corner.
N bay sheltered from the S 0–10 m; shore or boat. ⚠️ WWII Heinkel He 111 bomber on the sand = dive-not-spear; the bay itself is fishable. Coordinate approximate.
At first light the water is cleanest and the fish are still up on the slab. The breeze usually comes in after 11–13 h and the boat stops being comfortable. All of May is closed across Greece; night diving and dive torches are banned. Best months: September and October.
tide
Tides are tiny and irrelevant. On a jutting cape what counts is the alongshore flow: colder, clearer water, but it carries you along the reef fast. Start up-current so you come back to the boat with the flow, not against it.
shelter
A jutting cape on the east coast with a reef down to 20 m. The body of the island screens it from W and NW: the meltemi rolls over the ridge and gusts, but the wave stays short. E and SE off the Turkish coast come in head-on with nothing in the way.
conditions
Fishable in N and NW — it will gust hard, but the water works. Don't come in E or SE, nor in a fresh S: surge builds on the cape and you simply can't get the boat onto the reef any more.
hazard
East of the cape at 20 m lies the Arado Ar 196 seaplane — a declared monument: guided diving only, no gun goes there. The sector may be declared an underwater historical site — check with the port authority. Add boat traffic to Agia Marina and 20 m depth: never solo.
access
Boat only: there is no shore entry here. You usually run out from Agia Marina or Panteli, 10–15 minutes. Anchor on the edge of the reef, never over the sunken aircraft; the buoy is compulsory and you must stay within 50 m of it.
Cape with reef 0–20 m; boat, E. ⚠️ WWII Arado Ar 196 seaplane at 20 m = dive-not-spear; the reef around it is fair game. Coordinate approximate.
Best at first light — before the ferries and before the breeze, which gets up after 11–13 h. All of May is closed to spearfishing across Greece, and so is the stretch from sunset to sunrise. Working months: June and above all September–October.
tide
Tides barely register here — 10–30 cm. What you count is not the level but the channel between Leros and Kalymnos: wind accelerates between the islands and pushes the surface layer. Watch which way you drift off the buoy so you don't end up in the fairway.
shelter
The southernmost bay on Leros: the island's ridge blocks the N and NW meltemi, so in summer there is almost always a lee here. Only S and SE winds come in head-on, straight up the channel from Kalymnos, where the wave has room to build.
conditions
Fishable in N and NW wind, even when the meltemi has been blowing for days: the water inside the bay stays workable. Don't drive out in a fresh S or SE — the wave runs straight up the channel and clouds the whole 0–15 m shallow.
hazard
The main risk is traffic: the bay faces the Kalymnos channel and ferries and small boats run through it — stay close in and always with a buoy. The beach is organised, you must keep 200 m from swimmers, and spearing by the quay is banned. Shallow, but boats don't joke.
access
Shore dive: tarmac all the way to the bay, parking by the tavernas, entry over sand and fine shingle — easy even fully kitted. The rocky ends of the bay are a 100–200 m swim, depth builds slowly to 15 m. No boat needed.
Rock + sand bay 0–15 m; shore, S lee, easy shallow grounds; faces the Kalymnos channel (ferry traffic). Coordinate approximate.
SOLO is the biggest risk: underwater you can black out from lack of oxygen silently and fatally, with no one around. Solo is never truly «safe». Below are the best weather windows; carry a buoy, tell someone your plan and exit time, and any doubt — don't go.
One morning glance — and you know.
point your camera
≈
Surfacing
Cameras, map and reference — to hand as you come up.
Live cameras, map & reference
Cameras · live
Look at the water right now.
Check the cam BEFORE you leave. Foam, brown/green murk, or waves washing the entry rocks = No-go. At night/in fog the cam is useless — treat it as «unknown», NOT «green».
National minimum sizes + a 150 g floor (in the table below); grouper 1/day. Spearfishing is closed all May (ΠΔ 373/1985).
In season now
dusky grouper
Epinephelus marginatus · 8–35 m · EU 1967/2006
Grouper: max 1/day (shared genus-Epinephelus limit).
white grouper
Epinephelus aeneus · 15–45 m · EU 1967/2006
Grouper: max 1/day (shared genus-Epinephelus limit).
goldblotch grouper
Epinephelus costae · 10–35 m · EU 1967/2006
Grouper: max 1/day (shared genus-Epinephelus limit).
common dentex
Dentex dentex · 12–40 m · min 150 g
Premier reef target. No EU size — the 150 g minimum only. Ethical ≥40 cm (not law).
white seabream
Diplodus sargus · 0–12 m · EU 1967/2006
saddled seabream
Oblada melanura · 3–15 m · min 150 g
No EU size — only the 150 g minimum applies.
greater amberjack
Seriola dumerili · 5–30 m · min 150 g
No EU size — only the 150 g minimum applies.
Mediterranean barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis · 3–25 m · min 150 g
No EU size — the 150 g minimum only. Histamine: bleed and chill at once.
Mediterranean parrotfish
Sparisoma cretense · 2–20 m · min 150 g
Eastern-Med delicacy (Crete/Dodecanese). No EU size — the 150 g minimum only.
brown meagre / corb
Sciaena umbra · 5–30 m · EU 1967/2006
common octopus
Octopus vulgaris · 0–15 m · weight ≥750 g
Minimum by weight: ≥750 g (ΠΔ 62/2024). Don't take egg-bearing females.
devil firefish (lionfish)
Pterois miles · 5–40 m · invasive
⚠️ Invasive — removal encouraged, excellent flesh. Venomous spines: never grab bare-handed, cut the spines, treat a sting with hot water (>45 °C).
silver-cheeked toadfish
Lagocephalus sceleratus · 5–40 m · invasive
☠️ Invasive — kill, but DO NOT EAT: deadly toxin (TTX). Sale banned (Reg. 853/2004, Annex III Sect. VIII Ch. V(E)). Powerful beak bites — never string it live on a stringer.
rabbitfish
Siganus rivulatus / luridus · 2–20 m · invasive
Invasive — removal encouraged, edible and tasty. Venomous dorsal/anal/pelvic spines — remove carefully, treat a sting with hot water.
wreckfish / stone bass
Polyprion americanus · 30–60 m · EU 1967/2006
Deep wreck species. Does NOT count toward the grouper limit (different genus). 45 cm — to verify.
red porgy
Pagrus pagrus · 15–40 m · EU 1967/2006
gilthead seabream
Sparus aurata · 2–20 m · EU 1967/2006
European seabass
Dicentrarchus labrax · 0–15 m · EU 1967/2006
striped seabream
Lithognathus mormyrus · 2–15 m · EU 1967/2006
striped red mullet
Mullus surmuletus · 3–30 m · EU 1967/2006
leerfish / garrick
Lichia amia · 2–20 m · min 150 g
No EU size — only the 150 g minimum applies.
flathead grey mullet
Mugil cephalus · 0–8 m · min 150 g
No EU size — only the 150 g minimum applies.
Law
✓⚠️ MAY — a TOTAL spearfishing ban for the whole month, every year (ΠΔ 373/1985, art. 3§1α). This is law in force, not a draft.
✓No licence required: the was abolished in 2014 (Ν. 4256/2014) — every standing prohibition stays in force all the same.
•Recreational-fisher registry (ΟΣΠΑ / Μητρώο Ερασιτεχνών Αλιέων): Reg. (EU) 2023/2842 obliges member states to register recreational fishing, and the Greek registry is described as being prepared. We found neither an act in force nor a working registry as of 08.2026 — not confirmed. Check gov.gr before you travel.
✓Age: 16+ (under-16 spearfishing is forbidden; ΠΔ 373/85, art. 3§1γ).
✓Daytime only: sunrise to sunset. Night is forbidden (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 3§1β).
✓Freediving only: scuba/any air-supply apparatus is banned — it may not even be carried aboard (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 3§2γ).
✓Distances: ≥200 m from bathers, harbours, moored vessels and marked nets; no hunting in fairways or harbour entrances/exits (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 3§1δ/ε).
✓Buoy MANDATORY: a yellow float + a yellow flag with a red diagonal stripe and the letters «Υ.Δ.», visible from ≥300 m; stay within 50 m of the buoy (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 3§3).
✓Limit: 5 kg/day (or one trophy heavier than the limit). Grouper (Epinephelus) — max 1/day, not banned (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 2§2).
✓Sale/trade of the recreational catch is prohibited (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 1§7).
✓Load the speargun only in the water — never keep it loaded out of the water (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 3§2β). Underwater light while hunting is forbidden (art. 3§2ζ).
✓Sea urchins — 20/day per person and 30/day per boat (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 2§2). Nets at any stage of the hunt are banned, and you may not take the catch out of somebody else's gear or nets (art. 3§2). Sponges and corals are off limits to the recreational fisher (art. 1§6).
✓Pneumatic and band guns are ALLOWED (a myth in English guides). Only spears with an explosive/chemical charge — — are banned (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 3§2δ).
Min. sizes: seabass 25 cm · gilthead 20 cm · white seabream 23 cm · grouper 45 cm · octopus 750 g (ΠΔ 62/2024). Any fish — not under 150 g (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 3§2στ). No-size species (dentex, amberjack, barracuda, parrotfish) — the 150 g minimum only. See the species card.
Safety protocol
Sets: watch the wave trains ≥15 min before entering; Hmax ≈ 2×Hs, the wash can run 50 m past the foam line. A lull >10 min with period >12 s = a big set «overdue», do NOT enter; enter right after a full set passes and re-check at minute 30.
Exit FIRST: find your exit AND a backup before entering. On a rocky/boulder shore a 0.5 m rise in swell can make the exit impossible — getting pinned/unable to climb out is the main killer.
Headland rip: prominent points often have a permanent topographic rip regardless of the model — locate it, enter/exit on the windward side, never swim against it.
Cold: wetsuit per the SST chip; the first shiver = a metabolic surge and a drop in breath-hold → get out at the first steady shiver. Cap the session at 45–60 min below 15 °C.
Solo discipline: buoy up; tell someone the spot and exit time; conservative breath-hold (never push it in cold/murky/surfy water); visibility <3 m — don't enter.
Afternoon wind: on many coasts the wind builds from midday — plan to be out of the water by midday; the chop builds — get out.
UV 11:00–15:00 (UVI ≥6): sunscreen and cover up on the surface interval.
Solo is a fundamental risk (hypoxic blackout with no buddy). Any doubt = No-go.
Local guide · Leros
Spearfishing in Leros: spots, seasons and rules
Updated 2026-07-09 · By Oleksandr, spearfisher
Leros spearfishing works because the island is deeply cut into bays, not because every coast is equally usable. In NW meltemi, the local sheet points to Lakki and Xerokambos as sheltered, while Blefoutis is exposed. The Battle-of-Leros wrecks are for diving or avoidance, not hunting over them. May is a total spearfishing ban across Greece, so any Leros plan has to pass that legal filter first.
TL;DR
Leros spearfishing is about using the island's many bays: there is usually a lee, but harbour traffic and legal distances matter.
In NW meltemi, the fact sheet points to Lakki and Xerokambos as sheltered, while Blefoutis is exposed.
The WWII wrecks are dive context, not spearfishing targets: the surrounding bay or reef may be fishable, the wreck is not the target.
Greek rules apply: May is fully closed, no licence is issued since the 2014 abolition, freediving only, no scuba or compressed air, 5 kg/day and grouper max 1/day.
Where can you spearfish in Leros?
The Leros registry has shallow grounds, slabs, rocky bays and several Natura advisory references. That is not listed as an automatic no-take in the sheet, but boundaries still need checking. No safety ratings are present, so the level field only follows exact wording from the spot descriptions.
Spot
Type
Depth
Level
Access
Notes
Xerokambos (S)
Rock and sand bay
Shallow, on easy bay ground
Easy shallow grounds
Shore
South lee facing the Kalymnos channel. Watch ferry traffic and treat the coordinate as approximate.
Blefoutis bay (N)
North bay sheltered from south wind
Shallow, over sand and bay ground
-
Shore or boat
The Heinkel He 111 on the sand is dive-not-spear. The bay itself is fishable, but the NW meltemi leaves it exposed.
Cape Mavros Kavos (E)
Cape with reef
Shallow to moderate, around the reef
-
Boat
The Arado Ar 196 is diving context, not a spearfishing target. The reef around it is listed as fair game.
✓Full ban on taking: Pinna nobilis (πίννα), corals and sponges (ΠΔ 373/85, art. 1§6 + Habitats Directive 92/43).
✓Invasives: taking the lionfish (λεοντόψαρο) is encouraged — ⚠️ venomous spines. The silver-cheeked toadfish (λαγοκέφαλος) ☠️ DO NOT EAT — deadly toxin (TTX), sale banned (Reg. 853/2004, Annex III Sect. VIII Ch. V(E)), it bites. The rabbitfish (γερμανός) is edible — venomous spines.
✓In ANY declared underwater archaeological site, and in the submerged historic sites, spearfishing is BANNED — the act names ψαροντούφεκο in so many words (ΚΥΑ ΥΠΠΟ/ΓΔΑΠΚ/ΑΡΧ/Α1/Φ41/11228/1865, ΦΕΚ 336/Β/2004, part Α §2 δ + part Β). It reaches the sites our map does not draw, too. Do not touch antiquities (Ν. 3028/2002). Map of the zones — the ENALIA geoportal (thalchor-2.ypen.gov.gr/layers/geonode:ENALIA).
•The national marine parks of Alonissos/N. Sporades and Zakynthos (Laganas): spearfishing is BANNED in the park. But Alonissos zone Β4 is not solid — ΦΕΚ 1741/Β/2011 reopened four stretches inside it (the N shore Αγ. Δημήτριος–Άκρο Απύθμενο, Μηλιά–Σπαρτίνες, όρμος Κλήμα on Περιστέρα, the Μεγάλος Αδελφός shore), while the same act creates the ΕΕΑΧ Περιστέρας, where fishing IS banned. Our layer paints the park whole, i.e. stricter than the act. Check the limits with the park authority.
•The Southern Kynouria/Arcadia diving park: Ν. 4688/2020 establishes underwater parks, but we have not read a spearfishing prohibition inside it in the act — we treat that as NOT PROVEN rather than as confirmed. The park's boundary is not on our map either (the act publishes no coordinates). Ask the Leonidio/Tyros λιμεναρχείο before you go.
•Local bans: on top of the national rules, every port authority issues its own (ΓΚΛ/ΕΚΛ and λιμενάρχης decisions). In the ΛΣ-ΕΛ.ΑΚΤ registry we counted ~163 of them that reach a speargun, across 48 ports — our map does NOT draw them. Check your own port: alieia.hcg.gr/prohibitions/local/local17.php.
•Locally STRICTER than the national rule: Corfu (Kerkyra) — from 01.04 to 31.10 spearfishing is banned within 200 m of the shore, even where nobody is swimming (απόφαση Λ/Χ Κέρκυρας 2141.1/2939/2024, ΦΕΚ Β΄3269/2024). In practice that closes shore entry on Corfu for the season. We read the act in the registry, not in the ΦΕΚ — confirm with the λιμεναρχείο.
•Locally STRICTER: Lefkada — 300 m instead of 200, and not only the speargun: ψαροντούφεκο, nets and longlines are banned within 300 m of those sea areas, beaches and shores of the port district THAT ARE USED BY BATHERS (απόφαση Λ/Χ Λευκάδας 2131.13/1477/2022, in its own words «όπου χρησιμοποιούνται από λουόμενους»). The act ran to 30.09.2022 and we found no extension; an expired act is not proof that the ban is gone. Ask the Lefkada λιμεναρχείο.
•Locally STRICTER: Symi — from 15.06 to 15.09 fishing BY ANY MEANS is banned within 200 m of beach areas and in inhabited coastal areas WHERE BATHERS ARE PRESENT OR GATHER (απόφαση Λ/Χ Σύμης 2131.13/882/2016). Separately, year-round: fishing by any means is banned inside the port and its sea zone, except line/rod fishing from land (ΓΚΛ Σύμης, art. 151, ΦΕΚ 362/Β/2004). The acts were copied from the registry, not checked against the ΦΕΚ.
•Locally: inside the ports of Lavrio and Kea spearfishing is banned across the WHOLE port water, not merely under the 200 m rule; separately, in front of the hotel beaches (ΓΚΛ Λαυρίου, art. 240, ΦΕΚ 460/Β/1978). The act was copied from the registry, not checked against the ΦΕΚ.
•Coming: two new national marine parks are being created (Ionian + South Cyclades, ~27,500 km²). NOT yet in force (ΠΔ under review, mid-2026). Once live — a trawl ban + a seasonal coastal closure 15.04–31.05; in the strict zones spearfishing will be banned. Check before the season.
⛔ Pinna nobilis (πίννα, fan mussel) — full ban on taking/killing (Habitats Dir. 92/43 Annex IV; critically endangered).
Rules change, and the local Λιμεναρχείο (port authority) may impose local restrictions. Before heading out, check the current rules and the declared archaeological zones (ENALIA).
Archangelos
Rocky north Leros shore
Shallow to moderate, over slabs
-
-
White seabream and grouper are named in the sheet. It is a Natura area, so check boundaries locally.
Agia Kioura
Steep NE cape
Along the cape, kept qualitative here
-
-
Near WWII wrecks with a do-not-approach note. The sheet names white seabream and dentex, plus Natura context.
Gourna
Shallow rocky west-coast bay
Shallow, inside the rocky bay
-
-
White seabream and octopus are listed. The Natura note is advisory in this dataset, not a blanket ban.
What fish can you spearfish in Leros?
The local sheet describes easy grounds with white seabream, dentex and octopus. It also names white seabream and grouper at Archangelos, white seabream and dentex at Agia Kioura, and white seabream with octopus at Gourna. Species rules are national for the Dodecanese. Grouper species in Epinephelus have a 45 cm minimum and a shared limit of 1/day. White seabream is 23 cm, brown meagre is 25 cm, gilthead is 20 cm and octopus is 750 g. Dentex and greater amberjack have the general 150 g fish minimum where no other size is listed.
When is the best time to spearfish in Leros?
The fact sheet does not give a Leros-specific month calendar, so the decision is wind first and law first. In NW meltemi, Lakki and Xerokambos are listed as sheltered, while Blefoutis is exposed. Lakki is one of the bigger natural harbours, so keep the legal distance from harbours, moored vessels and traffic. May is entirely closed for spearfishing across Greece every year. Outside May, choose the bay that is actually in the lee on that day.
How is the water visibility in Leros today?
There is no live visibility number, buoy or station in the fact sheet, so a precise value would be invented. The only infrastructure entry is an Agia Marina harbour camera link, with no third-party embedding. For spearfishing decisions, read wind side first: NW meltemi makes Blefoutis less suitable and pushes planning toward Lakki or Xerokambos. If the bay faces the bad direction, the useful Leros advantage is that another coast may be in the lee.
Do you need a license to spearfish in Greece?
Greek national rules apply in Leros. No spearfishing licence is issued since the 2014 abolition, but check gov.gr before travel because Greece is rolling out a free recreational-fisher registry. Spearfishing is freediving-only: scuba or any compressed-air supply is banned and may not even be carried aboard. The daily catch limit is 5 kg, or one trophy over that limit. Grouper in Epinephelus is max 1/day. Night spearfishing and underwater light while hunting are forbidden.
FAQ
Where can you spearfish in Leros?
Start with the bay that is in the lee for the day's wind. The sheet lists Xerokambos, Blefoutis, Cape Mavros Kavos, Archangelos, Agia Kioura and Gourna with different access and exposure.
What fish can you spearfish in Leros?
The local sheet names white seabream, dentex, grouper and octopus. National sizes include white seabream 23 cm, grouper 45 cm and octopus 750 g.
How is the water visibility in Leros today?
The fact sheet has no live visibility number. Use wind side and the Agia Marina harbour camera only as clues, not as a bottom-visibility measurement.
Do you need a license to spearfish in Greece?
No spearfishing licence is issued since the 2014 abolition. Check gov.gr before travelling because Greece is rolling out a free recreational-fisher registry.
Is spearfishing banned in May in Greece?
Yes. May is a total spearfishing ban across Greece every year under Presidential Decree 373/1985. Leros has no local exception to that rule.
What is the daily catch limit for spearfishing in Greece?
The recreational limit is 5 kg/day, or one trophy heavier than the limit. Grouper in Epinephelus has an extra max of 1 fish per day.
Is scuba spearfishing allowed in Greece?
No. Spearfishing is freediving-only in Greece. Scuba or any compressed-air apparatus is banned, including carrying it aboard.
