Top 10 Things to Do in Zakynthos

Among the top things to do in Zakynthos is to rent a boat. Zakynthos has over 50 caves and 28 beaches, mostly only accessible by boat. On land there are so many small villages and delicious food to explore. So what are the top things to do in Zakynthos? I split it up by boat v. land for you below.

Prefer a Google Maps list? Download our complete list of things to do in Zakynthos here, OR check out our map below. Want to see how to fit all these activities into 2 or 3 days? See our complete guide to Zakynthos here.

Top 5 Things to Do in Zakynthos by Boat

1. Navagio Shipwreck

The shipwreck is quintessential Zakynthos. It’s the most popular image you will see of the island. When the beach is open, the boats will anchor and let you swim up to shore. There, you can relax on the beautiful sands or go inside the shipwreck. In mid-September 2022 the beach was actually closed due to a recent earthquake.

2. Caves: Blue Caves, Keri Caves, etc

Like the shipwreck, most boat tours from all over the island will take you to either Keri Caves or Blue Caves or both. In my opinion the Blue Caves were more remarkable than Keri (in case you need to pick one). The north of the island provides the quickest boat ride to the Blue Caves and Navagio if you are short on time.

3. Secret Beaches

The waters are beautiful; the photos do not lie. And there’s a decent chance you can have the entire beach to yourself (until another boat realizes they want in as well). There’s also a ton around the island.

4. Spot a Sea Turtle/Visit Turtle Island

Turtle island, from our experience, is just meh. Don’t book a boat tour just for Turtle Island. It’s a tiny, pebbly beach where they’ve roped off where the turtles burry their eggs, plus some docked boats that serve food and beverages. Instead, book a boat tour that takes you to see a sea turtle in its natural habitat and stops by Turtle Island. Spotting a sea turtle is not a guarantee, so I’d recommend a tour that does multiple activities on this list.

5. Xigia Beach

Also viewable by land, but the beach itself is packed with tourists, so boating is a much cooler experience. The waters on this beach are filled with sulfur from leftover volcanic activity. The water is noticeably whiter. The added bonus of going via boat is you can boat over to a small cave around the corner where the sulfur flowing out is more visible. 

Renting a Boat in Zakynthos

There are a ton of boat tours available on the island. We booked ours in advance because we were worried about availability, but after driving on the island for 10 minutes I realized we could’ve driven to the nearest port by AirBNB and booked something day-of or next day. Zakynthos boat activites are best done in one of three ways:

1. Rent a Private Boat with Captain

This was our my preferred method, but also the most expensive. We paid 500 euro + tip for 7 hours of a private boat tour, but it took us around the entire island and our guide knew the best spots to take us. The smallest (and cheapest) boat could’ve fit 4 comfortably, 6 would’ve been a crowd. I shopped around a bit, another company was doing tours for 750 euro. LuxurE and their private captain, Ilias, did an incredible job of taking us around the island and making sure we saw all the best spots.

2. Rent a Private Boat and Self Drive

You don’t need a boating license, the rental company will show you how to maneuver the boat. However, you are limited to where you’re allowed to take the boat. This ranges closer to 200+ euros for a day. Be careful of drunk drivers.

3. Join a Guided Group Boat Tour

This is your most cost-effective option. Tours range from 25 to 100+ euros depending on the length of time and destinations. You could easily do a tour that does Blue Caves and Navagio Beach one morning and a Turtle Island and Keri Caves the next, allowing you to hit all the major stops on the island.

Top 5 Things to Do in Zakynthos by Land

1. Navagio Shipwreck Viewpoint

Doesn’t matter if you saw it by boat, the viewpoint from above is spectacular. Again, Sep 2022 it was closed due to a recent earthquake which was a bummer.

2. Myzithres View Point and/or Keri Lighthouse

Myzithres view point is one of the most breathtaking geological formations we’ve ever seen. Our boat guide also recommended going to Keri Lighthouse for sunset. Sunset is very popular so I would recommend getting a reservation in advance.

The google maps location for Myzithres view point takes you up the dirt road right up to the viewpoint. Don’t be fooled by the cars parked at the bottom of the hill, it is possible to park up top. There are multiple look-out spots, all with the same view. But don’t hesitate to look out at each one, it’s worth it.

3. Beaches

This is really a personal preference. We’re not much of beach people unless the beach is the only attraction. Zakynthos is well-known for its many beautiful beaches. Attainable by land you have Xigia (super crowded), Gerakas, Laganas, and so many more. Korakonissi is also a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling, but it’s by rocky cliffs, not a beach. All of these locations are bookmarked on our Google Map, downloadable here.

4. Explore local villages

With all the buzz around the outdoor activities on Zakynthos, there’s not enough buzz around the local villages. Which is kind of nice, because that means less tourists. The villages aren’t your standard, Cycladic architecture of cubic white and blue homes, which is why we found them so charming. The architecture reminded us of Italy. We stumbled upon one of the best restaurants on the island (both for food and experience) by visiting a small village.

5. Laganas or Zakynthos (Zante Town)

Zakynthos is incredibly popular among British teenagers and is known as a party island. Laganas beach has the best nightlife scene and a bunch of shops (closed on Sunday). Alternatively, if Laganas isn’t your scene, Zakynthos, the capitol, has the port, many shops, and many restaurants to explore.

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