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The best Zante boat trips – on the Greek island of Zakynthos

Are you a secret pirate or a nature loving mermaid? If you take one of the Zakynthos boat trips that are a favourite with visitors to the island, you’ll have the chance to play at being both. As my sister lives on Zante (as it’s more popularly known to the Brits) I’ve had the good fortune to take a holiday in Greece every year.

Zante Boat Trips to Navagio, Smuggler's cove, Zante Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com
Navagio, Smuggler’s cove, Zante

We’ve done a few Zante boat trips throughout the years we’ve been visiting, and there are some variations. You’ll typically find a couple of choices depending on whether you want to explore the rocky north or the golden beaches to the south of the island.

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Visit the Blue caves and Shipwreck beach on a Zante boat trip

If you’ve seen any photos of Zakynthos, chances you’ll have seen the one of Shipwreck cove or Navagio, taken from the cliffs above. This crescent of sand hosts a half-buried, rusty wreck and high cliffs on either side. It is one of the most photographed beaches in Greece.

To reach Navagio, which is on the north-west coast of the island, you’ll typically take one of the many trips from St Nicholas port. Or, depart from Makris Gialos, a small beach that is just before St Nicholas port. We started our boat trip in Zante at Makris Gialos.

Our smallish boat took up to 20 people, had a shaded awning and a powerful motor. The boat made good headway on relatively calm waters at first. We passed the sea caves, known locally as the ‘Blue Caves’. These caves have been cut limestone cliffs by the sea.

We didn’t stop but powered on around the northern tip of the island, at which point the sea started to become decidedly rough. Around 40 minutes after leaving the beach we were all feeling a bit seasick. We were relieved when the Shipwreck beach came into sight.

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Zakynthos boat trips Greece Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com
Navagio or Shipwreck beach on Zante, Greece

Smuggler’s boat or just a good story?

The metal hull of the ship on the sand is supposed to be a cigarette smuggler’s boat that went aground in the 1980’s. Perhaps that’s just a nice story to tell the tourists! In any case it adds some interest to a beautiful beach which is larger than it appears from above. This beach can only be reached by sea, due to the sheer limestone cliffs.

On the day we visited the swell was high. Although the captain skilfully moved the boat as close as he could, it wasn’t possible to get it right up on the beach. If we wanted to get ashore, we’d have to jump in and swim through the surf.

In we went, although I was knocked over by the force of the waves and ended up with sand in my bikini and water up my nose. We spent around 20 minutes on the beach and I took the opportunity to walk around the ship. Over time it has broken in half, making a shady area inside, with a hull that had rusted away into lacy holes.

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Boat Trip Zakynthos Shipwreck cove, Navagio on Zante Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com
Shipwreck cove, Navagio on Zante

Visit the Blue caves and Shipwreck beach on a Zakynthos boat trip

We swam back to the boat and powered back the way we had come. The captain showed no mercy to those of us feeling sick as he opened the throttle and the boat banged up and down on the waves. Things improved once we rounded the headland and entered sheltered waters again, returning to explore the sea caves.

The captain nosed the boats into a few of the caves where the water below us was startlingly deep cobalt blue and turquoise. We anchored for a while and had a chance to swim and snorkel around the boat before returning to Makris Gialos.

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Boat trips Zante to the Blue Caves, Greece Photo: Heateronhertravels.com
Boat trip to the Blue Caves on Zante, Greece

This boat trip in Zakynthos takes around 2-3 hours. Check whether the sea is rough or calm as this will affect your experience. Bear in mind that even if it is calm at your resort, it may still be windy with rough seas in the north of the island.

Also consider the size of the boat, as a larger boat may be more stable but a smaller boat will be able to get you closer into the beach. For those that don’t want to brave the choppy seas to the shipwreck beach, you can still do a very pleasant boat trip in a glass bottom boat to the sea caves.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities for swimming, although this will make a shorter trip. Our boat trip cost around €20 per person and you may be able to negotiate a discount for larger groups.

Zante Boat trip to the Blue Caves, Greece Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com
Boat trip to the Blue Caves on Zante, Greece

Zante turtle boat trips in Laganas bay

If you want more gentle boat trip for your holiday in Greece, I’d suggest that you head for the southern end of the island. Look for one of the Zakynthos boat trips that take you through Laganas Bay and around to the Keri caves.

This end of the island is famed for the beautiful golden sandy beaches and the Loggerhead or Caretta Caretta turtles that nest on them. These Zante turtle boat trips are typically sold as an opportunity to see the loggerheads swimming in Laganas Bay. You should be aware that their numbers are dwindling. Plan to go with a reputable boat owner who will respect the laws of the National Marine Park and not harass the turtles.

Zante turtle boat trips Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com
Porto Roma, Zante

We’ve taken these Laganas boat trips twice. Different styles of boats give slightly different experiences although we went to the same locations on both trips. The first occasion was a half-day trip on a catamaran. This boat had a cabin and plenty of space on deck at the back and front of the boat to spread out.

We left from the small beach at Porto Roma. The first hour was spent travelling along the coast with views of the limestone cliffs. Later we rounded the point and crossed Laganas Bay to swim in the Keri caves.

On the second occasion we went on a much smaller, glass bottomed boat from Agios Sostis close to Laganas. This meant that we had a shorter trip of around 2 hours, which was still plenty of time.

Laganas boat trips to see the Loggerhead turtles in Laganas bay Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com
Loggerhead turtle in Laganas bay, Zakynthos

Mind the strict rules about the turtles

Either on the way out or the way back the boat is likely to take you into Laganas Bay. This is the main place you can see turtles swimming in the water.

Beware of any boat owners who guarantee you’ll see the turtles. This makes it more likely that the few that are around will be chased and tracked down just to give you your sighting.

There are also strict rules about the contact with the turtles. For instance you’re not allowed to swim close to the turtles or to pull them out of the water. And, a limited number of boats are allowed near a turtle at any one time.

All this means that you’ll probably be able to see the turtles for around 10 minutes before the boat needs to move away. On our first turtle boat trip, we went with local naturalist Yannis Vardakastanis, who runs the Earth Sea and Sky volunteer and information programme. This time we didn’t actually see any turtles. On the second trip we did spot one and there were several boats close to it all homing in to take a look, so I felt a bit sorry for the turtle.

Boat trips in Zante to Keri caves, Zante turtle boat trips Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com
Boat trip to Keri caves, Zakynthos

Visit Turtle Island in Laganas bay and swim in the Keri caves

The second part of the boat trip takes you to the far side of Laganas bay and under the high limestone cliffs at Keri. Here there are some sea arches and caves, although not as deep as the Blue Caves on the north-east coast. When the boat anchors, this is a lovely place to jump off into the clear water and swim or snorkel.

On the return trip, you are likely to stop at Marathonisi or Turtle island in Zante. This small island in the bay makes the shape of a turtle. It’s also one of the nesting beaches for the turtles. You are not allowed to land on the small sandy beach where the turtles nest, and even if you have your own boat you should not do so.

Marathonisi or Turtle island Zante Photo: Heatheronhertravels.com
Marathonisi or Turtle island in Laganas bay, Zakythinos

On the opposite side of the island is another small beach and a sea cave where you are allowed to land. Here you can relax for a while and have a swim. There’s even a boat that comes around selling ice creams and drinks, just like an ice cream van.

Turtle spotting boat trip options

If you are interested in taking a Zante turtle spotting boat trip, there are many boats that offer it. Go either from Laganas resort, from the small marina at Agios Sostis or from the harbour at Keri. If you’re in one of the holiday resorts you’ll also come across plenty of people selling you this as a day trip with transport to and from the resort.

The shorter 2-3 hour trips typically cost €20-25 per person. You can also rent small boats for 6-8 people to take out yourself into the bay. This is fun if there’s a large group of you and you feel confident handling the boat.

The boat trips in Zante to see the blue caves, turtles or Shipwreck beach are well worth doing. And, there are plenty more things to see and do on the Greek island of Zakynthos. The boat trips are a lovely way to see the island and was certainly a highlight of our holiday.

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This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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Rob

Tuesday 9th of July 2019

Hello Heather, I've never been to Zakynthos. I'm looking to stay at a hotel close to a port where I could take advantage of daily boat trips. As a Zakynthos aficionado, what is the best port to stay close by for frequent boat trips to different beaches? (2-6 hour day excursions by boat, not ferries). We're planning to spend 5 nights.

Heather Cowper

Tuesday 9th of July 2019

@Rob There are a few main types of boat trips on Zakynthos - in the north of the island to see the blue caves and shipwreck beach, in the south of the island around Laganas bay for turtle spotting and to see the Keri caves for swimming, and longer variations such as around the whole island on a day trip. You can find lots of boat trips from Zante town, but I personally wouldn't stay there as you get a much more relaxed experience in one of the resort hotels with a swimming pool and close to the beach. I would hire and use that to visit different beaches as these are easy to access by car and the boat trips are more to see the sea caves and shipwreck. Then I'd take one or two boat trips in the north and south of the island depending on what interests you. These kinds of trips can be booked from numerous providers in every resort. If you want to be centrally located, my sister's hotels in Argassi (Windmill Hotel & Windmill Bay Hotel) are a good choice - you are a 15 min drive or bus ride from Zante town and can easily drive or get a bus to the other wonderful beaches at Vassilikos, Gerakas. Or you can drive to Laganas or to the north of the island to get a boat trip or organise it locally.

RobC

Sunday 26th of July 2015

I'm heading for Zakynthos on Tuesday for a family holiday, and was last there 21 years ago on honeymoon. We stayed at Kalamaki last time and saw the turtles coming ashore to lay eggs, and this time we are staying round the east side at Tsilivi. Really looking forward to how the island will have changed. We had a few wild nights out in Laganas last time, I suspect it's far wilder now!

Heather Cowper

Sunday 26th of July 2015

@Rob I suspect that you'll find the area around Kalamaki and Laganas a lot more built up and busy than when you were there last and I think the beaches where the turtles nest are closed at night to protect them. Hope you have a great holiday!

Susan - ofeverymoment

Wednesday 10th of June 2015

I wish one of my sisters lived in Greece!! Both boat trips sound amazing, but if I had to choose, it would have to be to see the turtles!

Heather Cowper

Wednesday 10th of June 2015

@Susan I agree, I love the turtle trip, even if you don't see any turtles, the water is beautiful

Robert Wallace

Sunday 22nd of June 2014

Hello Heather, long time no see.

I just thought I would mention that in my opinion, if you are touring Zakynthos by car or bike, the quickest, cheapest and most convenient way of seeing both the Blue Caves and Navagio Beach is to take the boats below the lighthouse at Cape Schinari, right in the middlwe of the caves, and the Shipwreck is just 12 minutes away. I was there with guests earlier this week and the fare to visit both attractions was just 15 Euros.

Two more advantages are that you get to see the most beautiful and rugged part of the island with picturesque old villages, wonderful vegetation and you can better evaluate sea conditions so that you avoid the rough ride that you referred to.

Best Regards Rob

Heather Cowper

Sunday 22nd of June 2014

@Rob Great to hear from you, I'll try and call in when I'm visiting my sis in August - thanks for that tip, I didn't realise that you could take a boat from that location, probably it's not much promoted as the boatmen don't make as much out of the trip. As you say you get the benefit of the caves and the beach without the long boat journey which isn't great if its rough

Robert Wallace

Saturday 21st of June 2014

Hello Heather, long time no see. I just thought to mention that if you are touring the island by car or bike, the most convenient, cheapest and quickest location to see both the Blue Caves and Navagio is below the lighthouse at Cape Schinari, right at the north of the island, where glass-bottomed boats take you into the adjacent Caves, and it is only 12 minutes to the Shipwreck. The other advantage is that you can evaluate the sea conditions much better up there and avoid the rough ride that you had. There are also boats for the Shipwreck at Porto Vromi on the West Coast.