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Outdoor Activities in Zakynthos

Where to dive, jet ski, hike, kayak and snorkel on the island — a free local info guide.

8 activities Real local info No bookings, no fees
A Free Info Page

Zakynthos has water all around it, mountains down its spine, and a coast carved into caves, cliffs and quiet coves.

There's plenty to do beyond the beach — and most of it doesn't need a tour bus or a 9am pickup. This page is a free local guide to where to find each activity on the island, from jet skis on Tsilivi beach to scuba caves at Limni Keriou and quiet kayak coves on the west coast.

We don't take payment from any outdoor operator on the island — this is just information.
Tsilivi beach — water sports on Zakynthos Beachfront · Walk-in 01

Water Sports

Jet ski, parasailing, banana boat, water-skiing & SUP — straight from the beach.

The sandy east-coast resorts are where the action is. Operators set up directly on the beach, mid-morning to early evening, and you can usually walk up without a booking. Prices are similar across operators: roughly €30-50 for 15 minutes of jet ski, €25-40 for parasailing per person, €10-15 for a banana boat ride.

Where to find it on Zakynthos
  • Tsilivi beach — the densest concentration of operators on the island. Full menu, easy walk-up. See Tsilivi →
  • Banana Beach (Vasilikos) — long sandy beach with sunbed-and-sport packages. The most laid-back option. See Banana Beach →
  • Alikanas & Alykes — quieter scene than Tsilivi, all the same activities. See Alikanas →
  • Laganas — busy in summer, full menu including ringo and water-ski. See Laganas →
  • Argassi — smaller beach, fewer operators but still has the basics.
Local tip: Skip jet skis at Kalamaki and Gerakas — both are turtle-nesting protected zones with restricted boat activity, and rightly so. Stick to Tsilivi or Vasilikos.
Porto Limnionas — scuba diving on Zakynthos Boat dives · PADI courses 02

Scuba Diving

Limestone caves, a sunken cargo ship, and some of the clearest water on the Ionian.

Zakynthos has some of the best dive sites on the Ionian side of Greece — limestone caves, a sunken cargo ship, dramatic cliff walls, and clear visibility most of the season (10-25m typical, often more in May-June and September).

Limni Keriou on the southwest coast is the dive hub. Multiple operators run from there, all PADI-certified, offering everything from a single Discover Scuba intro dive (no certification needed, around €70-90) up to full Open Water and advanced courses.

Where to find it on Zakynthos
  • Limni Keriou — the dive base. Boats leave from the small harbour and reach all major sites in 10-30 minutes.
  • Keri Caves — limestone cave system on the Keri cliffs, accessible by boat. The signature dive on the island. From Open Water level.
  • Cargo Wreck (near Laganas) — a small sunken cargo ship at around 18m. Beginner-to-intermediate.
  • Marathonisi (Turtle Island) walls — clear water, schools of fish, and (with luck) a loggerhead pass-by.
  • Western cliffs (Kalogeros area) — drift dives along vertical cliff walls. Advanced level.
Local tip: Bring proof of certification (your card or a digital copy). For first-timers, the Discover Scuba intro is genuinely worth doing — Limni Keriou's shallow bay is a near-perfect first-dive environment.
Xigia beach — snorkeling on Zakynthos Self-guided · Bring your gear 03

Snorkeling

The west coast has the clearest water on the island. Visibility 20m+ on a calm morning.

The west coast of Zakynthos has the clearest water on the island — limestone cliffs drop straight into the sea, the bottom is rocky rather than sandy, and visibility regularly hits 20m+ in the morning. The east-coast resorts are sandy and shallower; nice swimming, less interesting underwater.

Most rentals are inside organised beaches; for the wilder coves, bring your own mask and fins.

Where to find it on Zakynthos
  • Porto Limnionas — the cleanest, clearest water on the island. Rocky coves, fish all around, easy entry from the platforms. See Porto Limnionas →
  • Cameo Island — short wooden footbridge connects to a tiny island with calm shallow water on both sides. Easy and family-friendly. See Cameo Island →
  • Xigia (Sulphur Springs) — natural sulphur-rich water mixes with the sea. Strong smell, claimed-to-be-good-for-skin water, decent snorkeling on the rocky sides. See Xigia →
  • Mizithres & Kampi area — quieter rocky coves on the west coast. Bring shoes — the entries are sharp.
  • Marathonisi (Turtle Island) — reachable by boat tour. You may spot a loggerhead — keep your distance.
Local tip: Visibility is best in the morning before the wind picks up — usually quiet until around 11am, then choppier. Bring water shoes for the rocky west-coast entries.
Korakonisi natural arch — kayaking on Zakynthos Sea caves · Coves · Calm water 04

Kayaking & SUP

Sea caves, hidden coves, and the natural arch at Korakonisi.

Zakynthos has some of the best sea-kayak terrain in Greece if you're prepared to drive a bit. The west coast is dotted with sea caves, narrow coves and natural arches; the east coast is calmer and ideal for stand-up paddleboarding.

Single and tandem kayaks plus SUPs are available at most organised beaches in season. Guided kayak tours run too — usually 3-4 hours along the southwest coast.

Where to find it on Zakynthos
  • Korakonisi — the dream paddle. A natural rock arch you can kayak through in calm conditions, plus dramatic cliff coves.
  • Porto Limnionas — calm water inside the rocky inlet, perfect for first-time SUP. See Porto Limnionas →
  • Banana Beach (Vasilikos) — SUP and kayak rentals on the beach, calm protected bay. Easy. See Banana Beach →
  • Tsilivi & Alikanas — beach rentals, ideal for short paddles and beginners. See Tsilivi →
  • Limni Keriou — flat shallow bay, easy launch, with the cliffs nearby for the more adventurous.
Local tip: Always check the wind forecast before heading west — the cliffs are exposed and sea conditions can change quickly. If the morning is glass-flat, that's your window. Wear a leash on the SUP.
Cameo Island — cliff jumping on Zakynthos For confident swimmers only 05

Cliff Jumping & Coastal Adventures

From the casual 3m bridge at Cameo to the serious cliffs at Korakonisi.

If you're a confident swimmer and you know what you're doing, the west coast has some of the most photogenic cliff-jumping spots in Greece. Heights vary — from a casual 3m off the rocks to serious 10m+ jumps off the cliff edges. Always check the depth and what's underneath before you jump — rocks move, water levels shift, and there's no lifeguard.

Where to find it on Zakynthos
  • Korakonisi — the natural arch and surrounding cliffs. Multiple jump heights from low rocks up to ~10m off the higher edge.
  • Mizithres & Kampi area — quieter cliff coves on the west coast with rocky platforms.
  • Cameo Island — easier — the wooden bridge is around 2-3m from the water, fine for kids.
  • Porto Limnionas — small platforms cut into the rock around the inlet, low jumps, deep water. See Porto Limnionas →
Local tip: Check the depth from the water first — swim down to the spot, look at the bottom, then climb up. Never jump anywhere you haven't checked. Most accidents on the island happen here.
Navagio cliffs — hiking on Zakynthos Free · Self-guided · Marked trails 06

Hiking & Walking

Mount Skopos summit views, monastery paths, and quiet northern village trails.

Zakynthos isn't huge, but the inland is more mountainous than people expect — the central spine and the northern villages have a network of trails that almost nobody walks in summer. Most are short (1-4 hours) and reachable by car.

Where to find it on Zakynthos
  • Mount Skopos (492m) — the classic. ~2-3 hours round trip from the trailhead near Argassi/Vasilikos. 360° summit view of the island and the Peloponnese on a clear day.
  • Anafonitria monastery walks — gentle paths around the historic Anafonitria monastery, with views down to the west coast and Navagio. Family-friendly.
  • Bochali to Strani hill — short walk above Zakynthos Town. Great for sunset, ends near the kafeneios of Bochali for a coffee or a beer.
  • Volimes & Anafonitria area trails — the most off-the-grid hiking. Quiet stone-paved paths between traditional villages.
  • Coast walk: Gerakas to Porto Roma — flat, scenic, around 1.5 hours. Lovely in shoulder season.
Local tip: Start before 8am from June to August — there's no shade above the tree line. Carry more water than you think you need (1.5L+ per person). Sturdy shoes on Mount Skopos; the path is rocky.
Alykes coastal road — cycling on Zakynthos Coastal flats · Inland climbs 07

Cycling

Easy coastal flats from Tsilivi to Alykes, or climb the Keri loop in the south.

The east-coast strip from Tsilivi through Alikanas to Alykes is the easiest cycling on the island — mostly flat, mostly close to the sea, and very rideable in the early morning. Mountain bikers head inland into the Vasilikos hills or the Keri loop in the south.

Where to find it on Zakynthos
  • Tsilivi → Alikanas → Alykes coastal route — the easiest ride on the island. ~12km one way, mostly flat.
  • Keri loop (south) — climbs through the Keri hills with a downhill payoff. Around 25km, intermediate.
  • Vasilikos hills — quieter inland tracks for mountain bikes. Scattered olive groves, dirt roads.
  • Coastal Argassi → Porto Roma — short, scenic, mostly low-traffic.
Local tip: Roads can be narrow with fast traffic — early mornings only (before 9am). Most rental shops are in Tsilivi and Alikanas. Helmets, reflective gear and a basic repair kit included with most decent rentals.
Banana Beach — horse riding area on Zakynthos Beach & trail rides 08

Horse Riding

Sunset beach rides and inland trails through olive groves.

A small handful of stables on the island offer beach rides and longer trail rides through olive groves. The Vasilikos area in the southeast has the most options. Sunset rides on the beach are the most popular.

Where to find it on Zakynthos
  • Vasilikos area (southeast) — the main location for stables and beach rides. Quieter beaches, easier riding.
  • Laganas / Kalamaki area — a small number of stables run trail rides through inland olive groves.
Local tip: Best in shoulder season (May, June, September) — the horses aren't worked in midday summer heat, and the beaches are empty. Long trousers, closed shoes.
Plan Your Day

Pair this with...

Most days on the island combine an activity with a beach, a viewpoint, and a long lunch. Here's the rest of the guide.

Zakynthos beaches
Where to swim
Beaches
Browse beaches →
Zakynthos viewpoints
Where to stop
Viewpoints
See viewpoints →
Zakynthos boat tours
Boats & trips
Tours
See tours →
Zakynthos restaurants
Where to eat after
Tavernas
Find food →

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