Zakynthos beaches at a glance
Zakynthos beaches are not all the same kind of place. Some are organised sandy beaches with water sports, some are small coves of pebbles and rock reached by steps, and some are protected nesting beaches of the loggerhead turtle where the rules matter more than the sunbeds. The best-known one, Navagio, is a special case: it is not a swimming beach under the current safety rules.
Navagio is seen from the sea in a short, controlled boat visit. Landing and swimming in the cove are not allowed, so plan your swim at another beach and book the view as a boat trip. The Navagio boat tours page shows the harbours and prices.
The main beaches in detail
What each one is like.
Navagio
The cove with the wreck, white pebbles and high cliffs. In the current safety regime it is a view and not a place to swim. Boats may enter a marked zone for up to 20 minutes.
Is Navagio open? →Gerakas
A protected nesting beach of the loggerhead turtle. Follow the instructions of the rangers on site.
Dafni
Another nesting beach. Rules on beach umbrellas apply here as at Gerakas and Marathonisi.
Porto Limnionas
A rocky bay without a classic sand beach. You reach it by road and steps, and parking is possible, but do not assume it is free.
Our pick: beaches by boat
This speedboat stops at coves you cannot easily reach by road.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Zakynthos boat trips to beaches and coves
Boat trips to caves, coves and the Navagio view, with live prices and availability.
Beaches compared
One row per beach, with how you get in and what to know.
| Beach | Type | Access | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navagio | Cove with wreck | Boat view only | No landing, no swimming |
| Gerakas | Protected nesting beach | On foot, entry 07:00 to sunset | Follow rangers, umbrella limits |
| Dafni | Nesting beach | On foot, entry 07:00 to sunset | Umbrella limits |
| Porto Limnionas | Rocky bay | Road and steps | No classic sand beach |
| Xigia | Small coves of pebbles and rock | Road and steps | Some facilities |
| Banana | Organised sandy beach | – | Water sports offered |
For most visitors who want an easy swim with some facilities, Banana fits best. For rocky coves, Porto Limnionas or Xigia are the better choice. If you want to see a turtle nesting beach, go to Gerakas in the morning and keep to the rules below.
Why Navagio is not a swimming beach
Navagio sits at the foot of steep cliffs, and the safety rules treat the cove as a risk area. Access to the beach and the water inside the line between the two ends of the cove is closed, and boats may not come within 50 m of the shore except in the marked zone. Rock falls are a real hazard under the cliffs, which is why the viewing is done from a distance.
From 1 November 2026, ordinary boat traffic, anchoring and swimming in the cove are banned until a new decision, so there is no automatic reopening for the winter. Ignore any offer that promises a landing or an hour of swimming at the wreck. The shipwreck page tells the story of the hull, and the viewpoint page covers the platform above the cove.
Rules on the nesting beaches
The loggerhead turtle nests on Gerakas, Dafni and Marathonisi, and the marine park has rules for visitors. Public entry is generally allowed from 07:00 until sunset. Between sunset and 07:00 no one should be on these beaches.
- Keep your activities to the shore strip about 5 m wide.
- Do not touch or move the protective cages around nests, and never touch hatchlings.
- No vehicles, dogs or horses on the nesting beaches.
- Beach umbrellas are limited at Gerakas, Dafni and Marathonisi. Follow what is allowed on the day.
- Follow any special area or instruction given by the rangers.
More on the rules, and on boats in Laganas Bay, in the turtles guide.
Coves on the coast: Porto Limnionas and Xigia
Porto Limnionas is a rocky bay, so bring water shoes and expect a climb on steps. Xigia on the north-east coast has small coves with pebbles and rock, reached by road and steps, with some facilities nearby. Both suit swimmers who like a small cove more than a long sandy beach.
Do not assume that cliff jumping is safe, and keep to the water. Check the sea conditions on the day, because wind and swell change a small cove quickly.
Zakynthos beaches: frequently asked questions
Can I swim at Navagio Beach?
No. Landing on the beach and swimming in the cove are not allowed. Swim at another beach or at a swim stop on a boat trip outside the Navagio waters.
Which Zakynthos beach suits swimming?
For an easy swim with facilities, Banana is a sandy and organised option. For rocky coves, look at Porto Limnionas and Xigia.
Can I visit Gerakas at night?
No. No one should be on the nesting beaches between sunset and 07:00. Keep your visit within daytime entry hours.
Is parking at the beaches free?
Do not assume so. Parking is possible near some coves, but conditions differ, so check on site.
Is this an official site?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by a municipality, a ministry, a tourism board or a boat operator.