Rock climbing
Kalymnos, a small island located in southeastern Dodecanese archipelago, offers rock climbing and bouldering during the whole year.
Especially in September, you can enjoy pleasant climbing temperatures in combination with warm water for swimming. Climbers began drifting to Kalymnos in the mid-1990s as word spread of giant cliffs and seaside ambience. In a matter of a few years, the island became a climber’s paradise. Nowadays, there are approximately 200 walking distances in 77 climbing fields, including distinctive markings for the starting point of every trekking spot.
Kalymnos is one of the most important climbing destinations worldwide, an island that has everything a traveling climber looks for: abundance of challenging rock formations but also simplicity and authenticity. Here, the potential for new routes and new areas is enormous; less than 10% is explored, even though on Kalymnos the rock climbing experience can last for a month: surrounded by some of the finest limestone crags in the world (the Grande Grotta cave forms a giant limestone amphitheater), the island provides a huge range of climbing on slabs, big walls, overhangs, and tufas to suit every level and style.
Sponge diving
The History and Tradition of Sponge Diving in Kalymnos, in the Dodecanese: The small Dodecanese island of Kalymnos in the Aegean Sea is renowned as the center of the Greek sponge diving industry, which has flourished on the island since the ancient times. The history of sponge diving in Greece dates back to antiquity. The sponge and its usage is mentioned in the Homeric epics of Iliad and Odyssey, as well as in the writings of the philosopher Aristotle. The philosopher Plato also refers to sponge as an article that was commonly used in bathing, mostly by the rich people.
Sponge diving has been called "the oldest profession" on the island of Kalymnos. The sponge diving industry contributed immensely to the economic and social development of the island a few decades ago. For centuries, Kalymnos remained the center of sponge diving industry in Greece, even though sponge diving was also an important source of revenue for several other Greek islands of the Mediterranean.
Note that the waters of the southeastern Mediterranean provide the best conditions for the growth of fine-quality sponge. Hence, the Greek islands, with the high temperature of their sea waters, became the springboard for a thriving sponge industry.
Kalymnos Telendos Island
Telendos Islet near Kalymnos: The islet of Telendos rises across the northwestern coast of Kalymnos, opposite the village of Myrties. Telendos is separated from the main island by a channel just 700 meters wide. In the ancient times, Telendos was part of Kalymnos, until a massive earthquake in 535 A.D. separated it from the rest of the island. Telendos is rather a barren island.
However, its beautiful landscape gives a unique view. Telendos has got very few inhabitants (about 50) and they are all concentrated in a small fishing settlement. Small boats serve the transportation to and from Myrties. They run frequently during the day, carrying passengers for the 10 minutes journey. Telendos does not have any roads, so it is free from traffic and pollution.
Telendos has got a tiny port that is usually busy with fishing boats. Alongside the port, you can see a number of taverns and cafes that serve traditional Greek food. The islet has been equipped with the basic amenities for tourists, as there are only a few rooms to let. The beaches of Telendos, Paradise and Hoklakas beaches being the most famous, are small and not organized at all, so they are perfect for peace lovers and naturists.