Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / Getting Around Zakynthos

Quick answer: Zakynthos is easiest with your own wheels for a few days plus a pre-booked airport transfer so you're not stuck in a taxi queue on arrival. Public buses exist but are limited. Here's the simple version.

From the airport

The airport is small and taxi queues can be long in peak season. A pre-arranged private transfer means a driver is waiting for you with a nameboard and takes you straight to your hotel — no queue, fixed price.

Getting around during your stay

• Car hire — the best all-rounder if you want to explore beaches, villages and viewpoints at your own pace. A few days of hire opens up the whole island.
• Scooter / ATV — fun and easy for short hops in the south, if you're comfortable on two wheels.
• Taxis — fine for the odd trip, but costs add up over a week.
• Buses — cheap but infrequent; workable for the main towns, less so for remote beaches.

A local tip

You don't need a car for everything. Many of the island's best bits — the Shipwreck, Blue Caves, the Marine Park — are reached by boat, not road. A smart plan is a couple of days with a car for the land sights, plus a boat day for the coast.

Frequently asked questions

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Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / Kefalonia in a Day from Zakynthos

Quick answer: Yes — you can see the best of Kefalonia, the island next door, in a single full day from Zakynthos. The route links the Drogarati Cave, the underground Melissani Lake, the capital Argostoli, the Agios Gerasimos monastery and the famous Myrtos Beach viewpoint. Here's what to expect.

Why do it

Kefalonia's headline sights are spread out and hard to see on your own in a day. Our full-day trip does the logistics for you — you just enjoy the caves, the lake, the capital and that jaw-dropping view over Myrtos.

The route

1. Drogarati Cave — a dramatic cavern of stalactites.
2. Melissani Lake — an underground lake where sunlight turns the water electric blue.
3. Argostoli — Kefalonia's laid-back capital, time to wander the harbour.
4. Agios Gerasimos Monastery — the island's spiritual heart.
5. Myrtos Beach Viewpoint — the classic high-angle view over one of Greece's most beautiful beaches.

Good to know

• Price: from €120 per person, with free hotel pickup.
• We check availability first and confirm pickup time, timings and ferry/entry details before any deposit.
• Bring comfortable shoes (cave and monastery stops), sun protection and a swimsuit if the plan includes beach time.

How to book

Send us your dates and group size — we confirm availability and the details, then a small deposit secures your spot.

Frequently asked questions

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Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / The Best Sunset in Zakynthos

Quick answer: Zakynthos faces west, so the sunsets here are the real deal. The very best way to see one is from the water off the south-west coast, by the Keri caves and the Mizithres rocks — but there are great spots on land too. Here's where to go.

From the water — the best seats in the house

As the sun drops, the south-west cliffs and sea caves glow gold and the water turns to glass. A sunset boat trip puts you right in the middle of it, often with a swim stop as the light softens.

Do it with our Marine Park Sunset cruise, or make it your own with a private sunset charter — with the route and timing tailored to you.

From land — if you'd rather stay ashore

• Keri lighthouse & the Mizithres viewpoint — the classic south-west sunset over the sea stacks.
• Kampi — a west-coast clifftop with wide-open views.
• Bohali hill — above Zakynthos Town, looking out over the harbour.

Tips

• Arrive 20–30 minutes early for the best colours (the sky often peaks just after the sun dips).
• On a boat trip, the light is best on the way back — keep your camera handy.
• Golden hour is prime swimming time: warm water, soft light, fewer crowds.

Make an evening of it

Tell us your date and group size and we'll get you on the water for golden hour.

Frequently asked questions

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Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / The Best Beaches in Zakynthos (and How to Reach Them)

Quick answer: Some of the best beaches in Zakynthos you can drive to; the very best ones you reach only by boat. Here are the ones worth your time in 2026 — and how to get to each.

Boat-only gems

• Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) — the icon. In 2026 you can't land, but you see it from the water or the clifftop platform. *(See our full Navagio guide.)*
• White Beach (Aspri Ammos) — a bright, remote north-coast beach reached by boat, with calm clear water for swimming.
• The Blue Caves — not a beach but the best swim on the island, in glowing blue water. *(See our Blue Caves guide.)*
• Marathonisi (Turtle Island) — a protected islet in the south where you may spot turtles; landing only in the permitted cove.

Reach these with the Shipwreck & Blue Caves excursion, the Land & Sea tour, the Marine Park trips, or your own self-drive boat.

Easy to reach

• Xigia — a small north-east cove with natural sulphur springs that leave your skin soft; a great final swim stop on a boat day.
• Gerakas — a beautiful protected south-coast beach (a turtle-nesting site — respect the rules and the roped areas).
• Kalamaki & Banana — long sandy south-coast beaches, easy for families.
• Porto Limnionas — a rocky west-coast swimming spot with deep, clear water.

How to see the best of them

The trick is combining land and sea. A Land & Sea day links the north-coast beaches with the Shipwreck view and a Xigia stop, while a private charter lets you build your own beach-hopping route.

Frequently asked questions

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Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / North or South Zakynthos? How to Choose

Quick answer: Zakynthos has two completely different coastlines, and most visitors only see one. The north is drama — the Shipwreck, the Blue Caves, towering white cliffs. The south is wildlife and calm — the Marine Park, sea turtles and the Keri Caves. Here's how to choose (or do both).

The North Coast — drama and blue water

The north is the postcard Zakynthos: Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) framed by 200-metre cliffs, the glowing Blue Caves, and hidden coves with impossibly clear water. Trips leave from Agios Nikolaos / Porto Vromi (Maries). Best for photography, big scenery and that electric-blue swim.

*(Heads up for 2026: you can't land on Shipwreck Beach — you see it from the water or the clifftop platform. Full details in our Navagio guide.)*

Do it with: the Shipwreck & Blue Caves excursion, the Land & Sea tour, or a north self-drive boat.

The South Coast — turtles and calm

The south is the National Marine Park: Caretta-caretta sea turtles in Laganas Bay, Marathonisi (Turtle Island), the Keri Caves and the Mizithres rocks. The water is calmer and the pace gentler — the better choice for families and wildlife lovers.

Do it with: the Marine Park excursions or a south self-drive boat from Agios Sostis.

Can't choose? Do both.

Our Land & Sea tour covers the north-coast icons in a single day, and a private charter lets you tailor the route to exactly what you want to see.

Quick guide

• Want the Shipwreck, Blue Caves, cliffs, big photos? → North.
• Want turtles, caves, calm water, family-friendly? → South.
• Want it all? → Land & Sea, or a private charter.

Frequently asked questions

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Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / Rent a Boat in Zakynthos Without a Licence

Quick answer: Yes — in Zakynthos you can rent a small self-drive boat without any boating licence. Anyone 18 or over can drive one after a short safety briefing. You pick a harbour, choose 3 or 4 hours, and explore the coast at your own pace. Here's exactly how it works in 2026.

Do you really not need a licence?

Correct. Our self-drive boats run on engines within the no-licence limit, so you don't need any certificate or experience — just to be 18+. Before you set off, our team gives you a full safety briefing: how to drive, where to go, where to anchor and what to avoid. If you can drive a car, you'll be comfortable in minutes.

Where do you go from?

You choose your departure coast:

• Agios Sostis — South: the Marine Park, Turtle Island, Keri Caves and the Mizithres rocks. Calmer water, great for families.
• North Zakynthos: the Blue Caves, Shipwreck Bay and the hidden north-coast coves. Departs from Porto Vromi (Maries) or Agios Nikolaos.

2026 prices

• South (Agios Sostis): 3 hours from €150 · 4 hours from €180 — fuel included.
• North: 3 hours from €220 · 4 hours from €250 — fuel paid on-site by consumption.

Base price covers up to 4 people; extra guests are +€10 each up to a maximum of 8. Full insurance is included on every rental.

What's included

• No licence required + full safety briefing
• Full insurance coverage and life jackets
• Medical kit, sea map and a paddle on board
• Optional extras like a cool box or Bluetooth speaker

Tips for a great day

• Go in the morning for the calmest sea and the best light.
• Inside the Marine Park, remember the rules — slow speed, no anchoring near nesting beaches, keep your distance from turtles.
• Bring a mask, sunscreen and water; pack light.

Ready to captain your own day?

Tell us your date, group size and which coast you fancy, and we'll set you up.

Frequently asked questions

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Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / The Blue Caves of Zakynthos

Quick answer: The Blue Caves are a run of sea caves and stone arches at Cape Skinari, the northern tip of Zakynthos, where sunlight bounces off the white seabed and turns the water an unreal electric blue. You can only reach them by boat from the north coast — and they pair perfectly with a Shipwreck Beach day. Here's how to see them at their best.

What are the Blue Caves?

At the very north of the island the coast breaks into caves, tunnels and arches carved into white limestone. When the morning light hits the clear water and reflects off the pale bottom, the whole sea inside the caves glows a deep, glowing blue — the kind of colour that looks edited but isn't. Boats slip right inside the larger arches, and the water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom.

It's one of those Zakynthos sights that genuinely lives up to the photos.

Where are they and how do you get there?

The Blue Caves sit at Cape Skinari, the northern point of Zakynthos, and there's no road down to them — the only way in is from the water. Boats run along the north coast, and because the caves are so close to Navagio (Shipwreck Beach), almost every north-coast trip combines the two in one route.

When is the best time to go?

Go in the morning. Early light gives you the brightest, bluest water and the calmest sea, before the afternoon breeze picks up and before the busiest boats arrive. Flat, clear conditions are what make the blue really pop.

How to visit the Blue Caves with Ioneon

We run this stretch of coast every day and know exactly when the light is right:

• Shipwreck & Blue Caves excursion — the classic north-coast day: the caves plus the Shipwreck view from the water.
• Land & Sea tour — the Blue Caves by boat combined with the Shipwreck viewpoint by land, all in one day.
• Want your own boat and your own pace? Take a self-drive rental from the north.
• Or go fully private with a north-coast private charter and linger inside the caves as long as you like.

Tips for the best visit

• Bring a mask — the water inside the arches is clear and deep, and swimming here is unforgettable.
• Morning light for the strongest blue and the calmest sea.
• Camera ready as you enter the biggest arch — that's the shot.
• Combine it with White Beach and a swim stop at Xigia to round out the day.

The best way to experience it

For most people the sweet spot is a morning north-coast trip that links the Blue Caves with the Shipwreck view and a couple of swim stops. Tell us your dates and group size and we'll get you there at the right time of day.

Frequently asked questions

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Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / Turtle Island & the Zakynthos Marine Park: What You Can (and Can't) Do in 2026

Quick answer: Yes — you can still visit Marathonisi (Turtle Island) and see the wild loggerhead turtles in Laganas Bay in 2026. But it happens inside the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which means strict rules that protect the turtles: boats go slow, can't anchor, and stay clear of the nesting beach; you can land only in the designated cove, only in daylight. Done properly, it's one of the most special things you'll do on the island — here's how it works.

What is the Zakynthos Marine Park?

The south of Zakynthos — Laganas Bay, Marathonisi and the surrounding coast — is a protected national park created to safeguard the Caretta-caretta (loggerhead) sea turtle, one of the most important nesting populations in the Mediterranean. The bay is divided into zones with different levels of protection, and the strictest rules apply from 1 May to 31 October, right through the season you're most likely to visit.

This is exactly why turtles still thrive here — and why a trip done the right way feels so different from a crowded tourist stop.

Can you visit Marathonisi (Turtle Island) in 2026?

Yes. Boat trips run to Marathonisi from Agios Sostis and Laganas. A few things to know for 2026:

• You can land only in the designated cove on the north side — the sandy southern beach is an active turtle-nesting site and is off-limits.
• The island is a daytime-only visit (roughly 07:00 to sunset). Staying after dark is not allowed.
• There's a visitor cap on the island, so earlier trips are calmer.
• No umbrellas or parasols on the nesting beaches, no fires, no litter — nothing that disturbs the sand where turtles lay their eggs.

Seeing the turtles responsibly

The turtles are wild, and the rules exist to keep them that way:

• Boats keep to a maximum of 6 knots in the bay and anchoring is not allowed — captains use the permitted mooring zones only.
• Keep a distance of about 15 metres from any turtle. No touching, chasing or feeding.
• During peak nesting (May–August) there are exclusion zones around active nests, and good skippers give them a wide berth.

A responsible captain who knows the bay will find you turtles without crowding them — that's the difference between a real wildlife moment and a stressful one for the animal.

The best way to see it with Ioneon

We run the south coast the way the park intends — slow, respectful, and led by people who grew up on this water. You'll find the turtles, the Keri Caves, Marathonisi and the Mizithres rocks on our south-coast trips:

• National Marine Park excursion — the classic turtle-and-caves day.
• Eros Cave and Marine Park Sunset for something different.
• Want your own boat? A self-drive rental from Agios Sostis puts you in the bay at your own pace (the rules still apply). Or go fully private with a south-coast private charter.

What not to do

• Don't land on or picnic on the southern nesting beach of Marathonisi.
• Don't touch, chase or feed the turtles.
• Don't bring umbrellas onto nesting sand, light fires, or leave anything behind.
• Don't book with anyone who promises to "swim with the turtles up close" — that's not how a protected bay works, and it's not good for the animals.

The best way to experience it

For most visitors the sweet spot is a morning south-coast trip: turtles in Laganas Bay, a stop at Marathonisi's permitted cove, and the Keri Caves — all at an easy pace before the bay gets busy. Tell us your dates and group size and we'll match you to the right trip.

Frequently asked questions

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Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / Is Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) Open in 2026?

Quick answer: No — Navagio Beach is closed to the public for the whole 2026 season. You cannot land on the sand or swim in the bay, and this stays in force until at least 31 October 2026. But don't cross it off your trip: you can still see the shipwreck legally in two ways — from the water on a boat trip, and from the free clifftop viewing platform above the bay. Here's exactly how it works in 2026, from someone who runs boats here.

Why is Navagio closed?

Navagio sits under sheer 200-metre limestone cliffs, and those cliffs have become unstable. A strong earthquake between Zakynthos and Kefalonia in 2022 brought a large section of rock down onto the sand, and erosion on the surrounding slopes has continued since. After a serious cliff-fall accident, the authorities extended the ban on setting foot on the beach and swimming in the bay. The decision is simple: the safety of visitors comes first.

So the closure isn't red tape — it's a genuine rockfall risk directly above where everyone used to stand for photos.

How you can still see Navagio in 2026

The good news: the two most iconic views of Shipwreck Beach are both still open to you.

1. From the water — on a boat trip

This is the closest and most dramatic way to see the wreck in 2026. On a north-coast boat trip you sail across to the bay and take in the shipwreck and the towering cliffs from the sea, at the marked safe distance. It's the view most people picture when they think of Zakynthos — and honestly, from the water it's even more impressive than from above.

We run this route on our Shipwreck & Blue Caves excursion, our Land & Sea day tour, and — if you want it fully private — our North private charter. Prefer to captain your own? You can also take a self-drive boat from the north. The actual swimming stops on these trips are at nearby spots like the Blue Caves and White Beach, where the water is calm, clear and safe.

2. From the clifftop viewing platform — free

The classic aerial shot — the one you've seen a thousand times — is taken from the viewing platform on the cliff above the bay. It's free to visit in 2026, reached from the vista point directly above the beach. It's a short trip up on the north of the island and pairs perfectly with a boat day: see it from above, then from the water.

What you can't do in 2026 (the honest part)

We'd rather you hear this from us than be disappointed on the day:

• You cannot step onto Navagio's sand.
• You cannot swim in the bay at the beach.
• Boats do not land and keep to the marked safety line — no approaching the shore.

Anyone promising to "drop you on Shipwreck Beach" in 2026 isn't being straight with you.

What happens next?

There are plans to extend the beach by around 30 metres towards the sea using gravel, to protect the famous wreck itself from the advancing water. Any earlier reopening to visitors depends on fresh safety assessments of the cliffs — for now, plan your 2026 trip around the boat-and-platform combination. We keep this page updated whenever the rules change.

The best way to experience it with Ioneon

If seeing the shipwreck is on your list, the move in 2026 is simple: a north-coast boat trip for the sea-level view plus swim stops at the Blue Caves and White Beach, and — if you have time — the clifftop platform for the aerial photo. Tell us your dates and we'll sort the rest.

Frequently asked questions

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Home / Zakynthos Travel Blog / Rent a Boat in Zakynthos Without a Licence

Quick answer: Yes — in Zakynthos you can rent a small self-drive boat without any boating licence. Anyone 18 or over can drive one after a short safety briefing. You pick a harbour, choose 3 or 4 hours, and explore the coast at your own pace. Here's exactly how it works in 2026.

Do you really not need a licence?

Correct. Our self-drive boats run on engines within the no-licence limit, so you don't need any certificate or experience — just to be 18+. Before you set off, our team gives you a full safety briefing: how to drive, where to go, where to anchor and what to avoid. If you can drive a car, you'll be comfortable in minutes.

Where do you go from?

You choose your departure coast:

• Agios Sostis — South: the Marine Park, Turtle Island, Keri Caves and the Mizithres rocks. Calmer water, great for families.
• North Zakynthos: the Blue Caves, Shipwreck Bay and the hidden north-coast coves. Departs from Porto Vromi (Maries) or Agios Nikolaos.

2026 prices

• South (Agios Sostis): 3 hours from €130 · 4 hours from €160 — fuel included.
• North: 3 hours from €200 · 4 hours from €230 — fuel paid on-site by consumption.

Base price covers up to 4 people; extra guests are +€10 each up to a maximum of 8. Full insurance is included on every rental.

What's included

• No licence required + full safety briefing
• Full insurance coverage and life jackets
• Medical kit, sea map and a paddle on board
• Optional extras like a cool box or Bluetooth speaker

Tips for a great day

• Go in the morning for the calmest sea and the best light.
• Inside the Marine Park, remember the rules — slow speed, no anchoring near nesting beaches, keep your distance from turtles.
• Bring a mask, sunscreen and water; pack light.

Ready to captain your own day?

Tell us your date, group size and which coast you fancy, and we'll set you up.

Frequently asked questions

The post Rent a Boat in Zakynthos Without a Licence appeared first on Explore Zakynthos with Ioneon Travel – Your Expert Zakynthos Travel Agency.