Zante Map — Zakynthos, Ionian Islands, Greece
Zakynthos — Zante for short — is an Ionian island off western Greece, famous for the cliff-ringed Shipwreck Beach, the electric-blue sea caves at its northern cape, and the loggerhead turtles that nest in its southern bay. Green hills and long sandy beaches make it one of the most photographed islands in Greece.
Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach
The island's icon: a rusting freighter half-buried in white sand, wrapped by sheer limestone cliffs and impossibly blue water. You can only reach the sand by boat, from Porto Vromi or Agios Nikolaos. The postcard shot — looking straight down on the wreck — is from a fenced clifftop viewpoint above, a separate drive from the boat departures.
The Blue Caves & the north
At Cape Skinari, the island's northern tip, small boats thread a run of sea caves and arches where the water glows a vivid blue in the morning light. Trips leave from Agios Nikolaos and usually combine the caves with Navagio.
Turtles & the marine park
Laganas Bay in the south is a National Marine Park protecting nesting loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Turtle-spotting boat trips run from Laganas, Keri and Agios Sostis, often stopping at little Marathonisi (Turtle Island). Use licensed operators, keep your distance, and leave the nesting beaches to the turtles after dark.
Getting there & around
Fly into Zakynthos (ZTH), just south of the capital, or take the ferry from Kyllini on the mainland. Stay in Laganas/Kalamaki for beaches and nightlife, the quieter Vasilikos peninsula for turtle beaches, or Zakynthos Town to be central. A hire car opens up the west-coast viewpoints and the north.
Places on the map
Beaches & Lagoon
- Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach — The island's icon — a rusting freighter half-buried in white sand, wrapped by sheer cliffs and unreal blue water. Reachable only by boat.
- Laganas Beach — A long, shallow, sandy beach on the big southern bay — the island's busiest, and part of the turtle marine park.
- Gerakas Beach — A gorgeous curve of golden sand under soft cliffs on the Vasilikos peninsula — a key turtle-nesting beach.
- Banana Beach — The longest sandy beach on the Vasilikos peninsula — golden sand, watersports and an easygoing beach-bar scene.
- Porto Limnionas — A rocky fjord-like swimming cove on the wild west coast — deep, glass-clear water rather than sand.
- Xigia Beach — A little cove on the north-east coast with natural sulphur springs — a cool, spa-like swim.
Things to do
- The Blue Caves — Sea caves and arches at the island's northern cape where the water glows electric blue. Visited by small boat from Agios Nikolaos.
- Turtle Spotting & Marathonisi — Boat trips into Laganas Bay to see wild loggerhead turtles, usually stopping at Marathonisi 'Turtle Island'.
- Porto Vromi — A small west-coast cove that's the closest departure point for boats to Navagio.
Viewpoints
- Navagio Viewpoint — The clifftop platform high above Shipwreck Beach — the famous look-straight-down photo. A separate drive from the boats.
- Keri Lighthouse & Mizithres Viewpoint — The south-western headland — clifftop viewpoints over the Mizithres sea stacks and huge Ionian sunsets.
- Bochali & the Venetian Castle — The pine-covered hill above Zakynthos Town — a panorama over the harbour and the ruined Venetian fortress.
Stay
- Laganas & Kalamaki — The island's main beach-resort strip — hotels, tavernas and the bulk of the nightlife, on the big southern bay.
- Vasilikos Peninsula — The green, low-key south-east peninsula — the best turtle beaches and calmer, nicer places to stay.
Practical
- Zakynthos Town — The island capital and port — the church of Agios Dionysios, arcaded Solomos Square and the ferry to the mainland.
- Agios Nikolaos Port — The north-eastern harbour — departure point for Blue Caves and Navagio boats, and the ferry to Kefalonia.
Zakynthos FAQ
How do I get to Zakynthos?
Most visitors fly into Zakynthos Airport (ZTH), just south of Zakynthos Town, on summer charters and low-cost flights. Out of season you can reach it by ferry from Kyllini on the mainland to Zakynthos Town (about an hour), or from Pesada on Kefalonia to the north of the island.
How do I get to Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach?
Navagio is reachable only by boat — day boats and shuttles run from Porto Vromi (closest) and from Agios Nikolaos in the north-east, usually combined with the Blue Caves. The famous view looking down on the wreck is from a fenced clifftop platform above the beach, which is a separate drive, not on the beach itself.
Where can I see the loggerhead turtles?
The loggerheads (Caretta caretta) live in Laganas Bay, a protected National Marine Park. Turtle-spotting boat trips leave from Laganas, Keri and Agios Sostis, often stopping at Marathonisi (Turtle Island). Choose licensed operators who keep their distance — please don't touch or chase the turtles, and avoid the nesting beaches after dark.
What are the Blue Caves and how do I visit?
The Blue Caves are a run of sea caves and arches at Cape Skinari, the island's northern tip, where sunlight turns the water an intense blue. Small boats run from Agios Nikolaos port, often as a combined Blue Caves + Navagio trip; the light is best in the morning.
Where should I stay in Zakynthos?
For beaches and nightlife, base yourself in Laganas or Kalamaki on the big southern bay. For quieter, greener surroundings and the best turtle beaches, the Vasilikos peninsula in the south-east is lovely. Zakynthos Town keeps you central for ferries and exploring, and the north (Alykes, Agios Nikolaos) is handy for the Blue Caves.
When is the best time to visit Zakynthos?
Zakynthos is a summer island — roughly May to October, hottest and busiest in July and August. Late spring and September bring warm sea, calmer seas for the boat trips and thinner crowds. Turtle nesting runs through the summer, peaking June to August.