The 5 absolute best beaches in Zakynthos, Greece

Zakynthos island in Greece is well known for its dramatic coastline, with impressive cliffs, a bright blue sea and white pebbled or soft golden sand beaches. However, Zakynthos isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you’re looking for quiet beach time. There are several beach resort towns for partying tourists with lots of clubs and bars, most notably Laganas. The beaches are overcrowded. That’s not my kind of place. I prefer a beach with a laid-back vibe, not too many people and ideally something active to do, such as snorkeling. With that in mind, I made a top 5 of the absolute best beaches in Zakynthos, Greece.

Dafni beach

Dafni beach is delightful and calm. It lies in the southern part of the island on the Vasilikos Peninsula. The famous Caretta Caretta turtles lay their eggs on the beach, which is why it’s protected by law and the development has been kept to a minimum. So, if you like a quiet and not very crowded beach, Dafni is the place to go. It was my favorite beach on the island.

There are some taverns at the beach where you can eat and relax on the (free) sunbeds. It’s also a great place for snorkeling, as there are many rocks and fish here. Make sure to bring your water shoes for the rocks. And you might even see a turtle or two…  

A small word of caution is in place, as the road to Dafni beach isn’t great. I’m not entirely sure about the main road, because it was closed during my visit. I had to take a different route and it was in bad condition. Drive slowly and take it easy.

Gerakas beach

As you’re probably aware by now, I’m a big fan of quiet beaches. That’s why Gerakas beach is undoubtedly my number two beach of Zakynthos. It’s close to Dafni beach, at the southernmost tip of the island.

You can drive all the way to a parking lot where a staircase leads directly to the beach. To protect the Caretta Caretta turtles, all the facilities are around the parking area instead of at the beach itself. This could be perceived as a downside for some people, because if you need something you have to walk back to the parking area. It’s not very far though, only a couple of minutes of walking.

However, I think it’s a big advantage! No buildings on this long stretch of sand with crystal clear water. It’s simply marvellous. There are a couple of sunbeds on the beach, but you can also bring your beach umbrella and create a nice little spot for yourself.

Porto Limnionas Beach

Porto Limnionas is a rocky bay at the western side of the island. A winding road takes you from the mountainous interior to the coastline where Porto Limnionas is located.

You can park right next to the bay. The first thing you see upon arrival is a tavern, trees, sunbeds and people (especially in high season). Not the most inviting scene. But walk past that and you see the beauty of Porto Limnionas beach. Impressive rock formations and impeccable turquoise water. The sunbeds are in high demand, and rightly so. The view of the Ionian Sea from here is phenomenal.

If you want to go for a swim, just walk down the steps carved out of the rocks to the water. It’s a great place for snorkeling. Up for a challenge? Swim to the cave across the water. But be warned, it’s very cold! And if you have time, definitely stay for a magical sunset.

Kalamaki beach

Kalamaki beach is located in a very touristic area, right next to Laganas, Zakynthos town and Argassi. It’s a huge, sandy beach with warm, shallow waters. It’s part of Laganas bay, which is mostly overdeveloped. However, as Kalamaki beach is one of the places the Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs, it’s protected by law. Therefore, there aren’t many facilities on the beach itself. Kalamaki town, right next to the beach, has everything you need, though.

Make sure to take your snorkel gear with you, as it’s one of the best places in Zakynthos to spot the Caretta Caretta turtles. I took a boat to this part of the bay and saw multiple turtles swimming around! 

Navagio “Shipwreck” beach (but not in high season)

One of the most scenic beaches in Zakynthos, Greece? Navagio “Shipwreck” beach. It’s the ultimate attraction of the island. But I have to say, this beach is not one of my personal favorites. The beauty of this beach gets lost in the crowds during high season, unfortunately.

That being said, there are two ways to visit Navagio beach. By boat or from the viewing point on the cliffs surrounding the beach. I chose the latter. It was around noon in July, so probably not the best time to visit in terms of crowds. I first had to wait in a traffic jam to even get to the parking area. When I finally arrived, there were people waiting in line for more than an hour to take a picture from the viewing point. I decided I wouldn’t do that, so I took my drone out for some epic shots of this extraordinary beach.

For sure, it’s one of the most remarkable beaches of the island. Deep-blue water, white sand and an old shipwreck slowly decaying in the sun. Dramatic is an understatement. However, the beach was crawling with tourists who arrived by boat. It’s a great place, but not worth a visit when it’s that busy. It should be much better in low season.

Also, on social media you see famous photos from people at a cliff overlooking Navagio beach. This is not the official viewing point, and I urge you to not go there by yourself. People have died falling of these cliffs, wanting to get the perfect shot. Not worth it, I reckon.

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What do you think are the best beaches in Zakynthos, Greece? Or do you have any questions about visiting the island? Let me know in the comments! Read more articles about Europe here.