Zante, also known as 'Zakynthos' is one of the most popular Greek islands due to its fine sand beaches, Venetian style architecture and wild nightlife.
Zante has a wide selection of beaches to choose from. Whether you want a lively golden sand beach or somewhere to go snorkelling Zante definitely has it covered. Vassilikos in particular has a great variety of beaches including St Nicolas and Gerakas.
The Loggerhead Sea Turtles are also very much a part of the beach scene in Zante. If you want to learn more about these beautiful creatures and maybe even get a glimpse of them head over to the National Marine Park in Laganas Bay. Another great place to visit is Navagio Bay, otherwise known as Shipwreck Beach. The name of this beach says it all really and this is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island.
Lively Beaches
In the popular resorts of Laganas and Argassi you will find the most popular and lively beaches on the island. They both feature a large amount of sun beds, parasols and attractions.
Laganas is a huge golden sand beach stretching out over a total of five kilometers. Laganas is part of the National Marine Park of Zante and is visited by the endangered Loggerhead turtle. However, this means certain parts of the beach are sectioned off to the public as the turtles lay their eggs here at certain times of the year. Facilities here include sun beds, parasols and toilets. Water sports are not permitted here as it is a conservation area but canoes and pedalos are allowed.
Argassi is a slightly smaller beach spanning out over one kilometer. This narrow beach is made up of both sand and shingle parts and the water remains shallow for quite a long way out. This beach is very popular during the summer months as it joins the main tourist resort of Argassi. There are a number of facilities here including sun beds, parasols and showers.
Family Friendly
Zante has a number of beautiful family friendly beaches dotted along its coastline. Many have shallow clear waters and fine golden sand.
If you head to the eastern end of Laganas Beach you will stumble across Gerakas Beach. This is a protected area of the National Marine Park and is a nesting ground for the rare Loggerhead turtle. The shallow pristine clear waters combined with fine golden sand makes it a great playground for families.
Alykes Beach is one of the most popular resorts on the whole island. However, even though it is popular it is still not too crowded and is a favourite for families in the local area. It has become a great location for water sports including windsurfing and water skiing. There are also a number of bars, restaurants and cafes situated along the coastline here.
Right next to Alykes Beach you will find Alykanas Beach. The sand here is very fine and clean and the waters are a beautiful turquoise colour. You can book boat trips from here to sail to the picturesque Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach.
Porto Zoro is best known for its picturesque rocky formations and crystal clear waters which makes it a great place for swimming. The beach is also relatively quiet and can be found around 16 kilometers away from Zakynthos Town in the Vassilikos peninsula.
Water Sports
Many beaches in Zante offer a wide range of water sports, however you must be aware that water sports such as water skiing and jet skiing are prohibited in Laganas and Kalamaki because they are conservation areas.
St Nicolas beach can be found at the end of the Vassilikos Peninsula. There are a number of water sports on offer here including Jet Ski rental, banana boats, pedalos and even scuba diving at St Nicholas Diving Centre.
Another option to try is the popular Banana Beach in Vassilikos. This is one of the best places on the island for water sports as there's such a wide variety. Banana Water Sports offers water skiing, banana boats, parasailing and even jet skiing. There are also lifeguards present on the beach during the summer months and there are hundreds of sun beds to choose from.
If you're staying in the north of the island be sure to head over to Tsilivi beach for the day. This is a beautiful Blue Flag beach which boasts a number of water sport activities such as jet skies and pedalos. This is also a very popular beach for families because of the clear waters and golden two-kilometer coastline that gently shelves into the sea.
On the west side of Zante you will come across Limnionas Cove. This secluded area is a great playground for adventurous divers and snorkelers who want to explore what's beneath the Ionian Sea. The water here is very deep so it is not a good place for nervous swimmers or children.
Secluded
Whether you want somewhere to top up your tan in peace or spend the day taking pictures of the beautiful surroundings, Zante has a wide selection of secluded beaches on offer.
The famous Navagio Bay (Shipwreck Beach) is one of the most photographed beaches in the world. The only way to get to this magical beach is by boat and there are a number of excursions that can drop you off here or sail by. However, even though this bay is very secluded it gets extremely busy during the summer months but the beautiful landscape and washed up ship makes it worth it.
On the other hand if you want somewhere really quiet head to Bouka, found next to Tsivili beach in the north of Zante Town. This small and unspoilt beach is far less crowded and a wonderful place for swimming. Or another beach to try off the beaten track is Porto Roma, which is located 17 kilometers away from Zante Town. This is a small pebble and sand beach which is often deserted before midday!
If you're staying in the south of Zante be sure to head to Porto Koukla, found near Laganas. This is one of the quietest beaches on the island that offers warm and shallow waters which is ideal for young children and those who just want to spend the day relaxing.