CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsSnorkel· Zakynthos· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic
Blue Caves (Zakynthos)
37° 55.9′ N · 20° 42.3′ E
A 0.8-mile stretch of limestone cliffs and arches around Cape Skinari, Zakynthos's northern tip, where the water inside the caves glows an intense electric blue. Some can be entered by small boat, others only by swimming.
Practical
SailingIssues: the caves run along about 0.8 nm; mind the notorious reef extending from one of the caves. The colour is best in the morning, when the light is strongest (Wikivoyage); Kianoun cave is the largest. Go by dinghy from Agios Nikolaos or Makris Gialos; tripper boats leave from Agios Nikolaos, Makris Gialos and Cape Skinari. The north tip catches both the calm east side and the windier west: go before the afternoon NW breeze. Land access: from a small windmill near the cape about a hundred steps lead down to polished rocks, a good base to swim into the caves (zanteisland.com).
Best for
Morning dinghy and snorkel tour of glowing sea caves
Season
Calm mornings, May–Oct
Nearby
- Cape Skinari Lighthouse0.2 NM away
- Agios Nikolaos (Skinari) Harbour1.5 NM away
- Agios Nikolaos Coastguard Station (Skinari)1.5 NM away
- Agios Nikolaos Islet Anchorages1.5 NM away
- Agios Nikolaos Tavernas & Provisions1.6 NM away
- Makris Gialos & Mikro Nisi2.9 NM away
- Makris Gialos Anchorage3.3 NM away
- Xigia Anchorage & Pelagaki Bay4 NM away