Beaches of Zakynthos
Ionian Islands: Zakynthos
Beaches and caves of Zakynthos
The western coastline of Zakynthos has the same morphology as the beaches of Lefkada and Kefalonia, that is, sandy beaches hidden under bright cliffs - however in Zakynthos all these features are raised to the highest degree: the sand is blighted, the slopes are blindingly white, the coves are accessible only by boat - and in the middle of the most stunning beach, a mythical 20th-century pirate ship came and died.
Navagio beach
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Navagio beach
«Organized» και «free» beaches
On the two sides of the triangle that describes Zakynthos island, the beaches have a very different physiognomy.
In the south and SE we mainly find very large sandy beaches, which serve the residents of the countless hotels, rooms, "rented" and "villas" of this zone. All beaches have a smaller or larger organized section with umbrellas, sun loungers and beach bars, which can occupy up to the entire useful area of the shoreline. The beaches of Kalamaki, Laganas, Tsilivi, Alikanas, Alykes and Vasilikos are extreme examples of overcrowding and an abundance of services, which in summer resemble enormous swimming pools rather than natural features.
To the south, the beaches of Gerakas, Daphne, Sekania, as well as a large part of the coast between Kalamaki and Laganas are under a more moderate use regime, as they constitute the main nesting zone of the Sea turtle (Caretta caretta).
Xygia beach
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Xygia beach
In contrast, the beaches in NE Zakynthos are small, often with pebbles, more exposed to the weather and in many cases require a short walk. Therefore, they usually offer a quieter environment, with less watercraft and noise.
Marathias beach
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Marathias beach
The western side has a much richer morphological ornamentation - pure white sand, vertical slopes, rocky slopes, emerald waters: no one can resist such a shower of charms and the beaches of western Zakynthos are rightly considered among the most exotic in Greece - along with Elafonisi and Balos, in western Crete.
Most of them, such as the famous Navagio beach, are accessible only from the sea. In cases of road access, you should take into account that in the summer the parking lots are saturated and you will need to leave your vehicle a little far away. Most of the inaccessible beaches are "free", while the rocky coves also have quite inaccessible sections without infrastructure. In midsummer, however, one should not be too optimistic ...
Coastal caves
The characteristic elevation and special petrology of the west coast of Zakynthos - and all of the Ionian Islands - offers suitable conditions for the erosion of the slopes by sea currents.
The Blue Caves
Indeed, the coastline of Zakynthos, from the SW tip at Keri to the northern cape of Schinari, and to a much lesser extent the zone from Schinari to Xygia beach, is dotted with sizeable - albeit shallow - coastal caves and several natural arches. The pure white rocks contribute to the creation of spectacular contrasts with the cyan waters and the reflections on the walls. As expected, the western coastal zone attracts visitors, who are taken here by small and medium-sized boats, entering the caves and stopping at the equally impressive, white beaches, the most famous of which is Navagio.
Maravelia cave
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Maravelia cave
Each of the caves of the Zakynthos coastline has its own story: The Maravelia Cave, which has two entrances, was formerly used by the monks of the monastery of Agios Georgios Krimnon as a natural passage to lower their boats into the sea, amidst the steep slope.
Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) reproduce in the Ioanian islands coastal caves
Reproduction of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) has been recorded in almost all caves and visitors often see adult seals or seal pups in the area around the caves.
Myzithres rocks
Finally, an interesting element of the Zakynthos coastline is the Myzithres, large white rocks that were cut off from the land and today sparkle in the blue waters.
Text and photos by T. Adamakopoulos
topoguide Greece
ZAKYNTHOS TOPOGUIDE
The digital field guide Zakynthos topoguide is available for Android devices as an in-app purchase within the application topoguide Greece. Zakynthos topoguide is a member of the Greek Islands group.
The digital field guide Zakynthos topoguide is also available for iOS (iPhone and iPad) devices as an in-app purchase within the application Topoguide Greece. There also, Zakynthos topoguide is a member of the Greek Islands group.
Zakynthos topoguide includes an extended introduction to the geography, the history, the landscape and the nature of Zakynthos island, and a list of