Zakynthos Island

Zakynthos is the southernmost and third-largest of the Ionian Islands. It lies about 8.5 nautical miles south of Kefalonia, 9.5 nautical miles west of the Peloponnese, and roughly 300 km west of Athens. That position makes it a natural gateway to both island-hopping and mainland Greece.

Zakynthos Town (Zante Town) is the main port and capital. Popular resort areas include Tsilivi, Alykes, Kalamaki and Laganas on the south coast, while the mountain villages of the interior offer cooler air, olive groves and traditional tavernas away from the beach crowds.

The island’s headline sights are almost all on the coast. Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) and the Blue Caves define the wild northwest, while Xigia Beach on the northeast coast is known for its natural sulphur springs. In the south, Laganas Bay and Marathonisi (Turtle Island) are central to loggerhead turtle conservation, and Cameo Island is a favourite stop in the bay.

Inland, Bochali Hill above Zakynthos Town gives panoramic views over the port and bay. The mountain villages of Keri, Macherado and Exo Chora are worth a drive for local food, wine and slower-paced island life. Many visitors combine a north-coast boat day with a south-coast tour or sunset trip to see the full range of what Zante offers.

The most famous beaches and caves are only reachable by boat. Our Zakynthos cruises cover Shipwreck Beach, the Blue Caves, Xigia Beach, Marathonisi and Keri Caves in half-day trips with swimming stops and local crew. For a broader overview, our North Zante Full Day Tour links land viewpoints with a boat visit to Navagio, while the South Zante Half Day Tour covers Cameo, Vassilikos and the turtle nesting areas of Laganas Bay.

We also run sunset photography tours on the island’s mountain ridge and a Kefalonia island-hopping day tour from Zakynthos for guests who want to extend their Ionian adventure. Every trip is organised locally from Tsilivi with door-to-door transfers available on selected cruises.

Zakynthos has a mild Mediterranean climate: wetter, cooler winters and long, sunny summers from May through September. Peak season is July and August, when the sea is warmest and all boat routes operate daily. May, June and September offer lighter crowds, comfortable temperatures and excellent conditions for swimming, photography and island tours.