Things to do on Kalymnos

The sponge-diving story

For generations Kalymnian divers harvested sponges across the Mediterranean. The trade made the island wealthy and known, and it cost many divers their health or their lives. It also explains the mansions of Pothia, the diaspora in Tarpon Springs and Australia, and the sponges still sold on the quay.

• Sponge workshops, Pothia: see how a rough sea-sponge is cleaned and cut, and buy the real thing.
• Maritime and folklore collections, Pothia: the divers' suits, photographs and stories.
• Sea World Museum, Vlychadia: a diving family's finds from the seabed, next to a calm swimming bay.

Pothia in half a day

Walk the harbour front, look up at the captains' mansions, visit the Archaeological Museum and drink a coffee where the port does its business. Above town, the Agios Savvas monastery has the best view of Pothia. The little Chrysocheria castle with its three windmills sits on the road to Chorio, where Pera Kastro, the fortified old refuge, is worth the climb at sunset.

Vathys fjord

On the east coast a green valley of citrus groves ends in a narrow inlet with the tiny harbour of Rina. Swim off the rocks, eat by the water. It looks nothing like the rest of the Dodecanese. Combine with Vlychadia on the way back.

On and under the water

Protected bays make easy snorkelling: Arginonta and Vlychadia are the favourites. Dive centres operate in season. For days on the water, see boat trips.