Zakynthos Town Port & Marina

37° 46.7′ N · 20° 54.4′ E

The island capital's commercial harbour, where visiting yachts lie stern-to under the Venetian-style waterfront and the Bochali castle hill. It is the best all-weather shelter on Zakynthos and the only place on the island with full town services next to the boat.

Ionian Islands Saronic Gulf & Argolic

Practical

It is a commercial port, not a marina, and the Zakynthos Port Fund says no berths can be reserved. Mooring zones are set by draft and vessel type: green zone for boats over 20 m, blue for under 20 m (map on the Port Fund site). Most visiting yachts go stern-to on the north breakwater or the yacht pier added in 2016 that sticks out from it (SailingIssues); the south basin is used by tripper boats, charter fleets and ferries. Bottom is mud, good holding. The Charalampos river silts the south-west corner, which is often too shallow. Approach: mind the Dimitris reef directly east of the green harbour light. OpenSeaMap shows the entrance lights as Fl R 1.5s (E 3989) and Fl G 1.5s (E 3988). In the prevailing NW and in a hard NE the north breakwater has the best berths; in strong S–SE winds (mainly winter and early spring) move to the south basin. Ferry and tripper-boat wash is heavy: keep your stern well off and fenders low (the quay is low), and catamarans have been damaged by ferries. Fees: the Port Fund's authorised partner (white shirt with blue 'Zakynthos Port Fund' badge) works from a kiosk on the Agios Nikolaos pier, on your right as you enter, 3pm–9pm except Mondays; the Port Fund office on the other side of the port is open Monday–Friday 8am–3pm, tel +30 26950 48157. Anyone else who approaches offering berthing or fee collection is a private agent, and an agent is not compulsory for private yachts under 500 GRT. Berthing dues are set by national decree (catamarans pay 100% extra, alongside berths 25% extra, discounts of 20–40% for paying a month or more up front); SailingIssues reported about €1 per metre per day (verify locally). Water and power come from pillars on prepaid cards: water €3.00 per cubic metre and electricity €0.70 per kWh (Port Fund, current page). Test quay water before filling tanks: it has been reported salty. Noonsite cruiser reports describe the port police closing the port to private traffic, without notice, while a cruise ship is in (reported about 9am–5pm), and a busy, noisy road along the quay. Fuel: road stations around the harbour or delivery by mini-tanker (Noonsite); SailingIssues warns of rip-offs by freelance water and diesel trucks, so agree the price first.

Best for

Safe base for provisioning, crew changes and leaving the boat to explore the island

Season

Year-round; untenable berths in strong S–SE winds (move to the south basin)

Practical

Best for

Season

Nearby