Grouper

Large and curious, groupers are often the highlight of dives, approaching divers with interest and commanding presence. These intelligent fish can live over 50 years and grow to impressive sizes.

Habitat: Rocky reefs, wrecks, caves

Best season: Year-round

In Crete

The dusky grouper was once severely overfished in Greek waters but is recovering thanks to marine protection efforts. Around Crete, established dive sites where groupers are protected have resident individuals that divers can visit repeatedly. Some dive operators name their regular grouper companions!

Behaviour

Groupers are territorial and often return to the same cave or wreck for years. They're protogynous hermaphrodites – all start as females and larger individuals become males. Remarkably intelligent, they can recognize individual divers and even cooperate with moray eels when hunting.

Diving tips

Groupers respond well to calm, slow divers. Avoid swimming directly at them; approach at an angle. Regular dive sites have habituated groupers that are very approachable. The SS Minnewaska wreck is home to several large resident groupers.