A seal swam right up to holidaymakers in Greece and joined the swimmers for a dip

Holidaymakers on Kineta beach in Greece unexpectedly encountered a rare visitor in the sea — a Mediterranean monk seal. The animal came almost right up to the shore and spent some time swimming in the shallow water near people.

The holidaymakers filmed the unusual encounter. The footage, posted on social media, quickly attracted users’ attention: instead of the usual summer beach break, people suddenly found themselves next to one of the rarest marine mammals in the Mediterranean. According to Greek media, the seal remained calm in the water and showed no aggression. The swimmers, for their part, did not try to touch or drive it away.

One of the rarest inhabitants of the Mediterranean

It was most likely a Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). This is one of the rarest seal species in the world. Thanks to decades of conservation programmes, its population is gradually recovering, but the animal still needs protection.

Greece is particularly important for the conservation of the species: a significant share of the world’s monk seal population lives in Greek waters. One of their main habitats is considered to be the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades. Here, seals use numerous sea caves and secluded stretches of coastline to rest and raise their young.

At the same time, seeing a seal on an ordinary crowded beach is a much more unusual situation. The animals generally try to avoid intense human presence, so experts urge people not to approach them, attempt to feed or touch them, or drive them back into the water.

Can you encounter a seal in Cyprus?

Yes. Mediterranean monk seals also live off the coast of the Republic of Cyprus. Moreover, in recent years their population on the island has shown signs of recovery. According to experts’ estimates, there were around 20–22 individuals in Cypriot waters in 2025.

The main places where seals have been recorded are primarily stretches of coastline with sea caves and relatively calm, secluded bays. These include the Akamas Peninsula, the Cape Greco area, the coast of Limassol and the Xylofagou area. Studies have confirmed the presence of seals in the sea caves in these areas.

Akamas is especially important for the animals. Seal pups have been found repeatedly in the area’s bays. For example, in 2019, a two-month-old female was discovered there and named Aphrodite. Her appearance provided further evidence that the Cypriot coast is used by seals for breeding.

Another well-known area is Cape Greco. Its rocky coastline, with numerous sea caves, provides suitable conditions for seals. The name of one of the natural arches — Monachus Monachus Arch — is itself directly linked to the Latin name of the Mediterranean monk seal.

Encountering a seal is not a reason to swim closer

If an animal unexpectedly appears near a beach, experts advise keeping your distance and simply observing it. It is especially important not to try to follow a seal by boat, enter a cave after it or surround it in the water.

For monk seals, such places are not a tourist attraction but vital habitat. In recent years, disturbance from people and marine tourism has become one of the problems hindering the species’ recovery.

That is why the incident in Kineta was a pleasant exception: the rare marine animal approached people on its own, while the holidaymakers allowed it to continue on its way undisturbed.