Boat trip to Navagion beach and blue caves

How to get there

It's impossible to reach the beach from the top of the cliff. Previously, you could land by boat, however, since January 2024, it has been prohibited for conservation and safety reasons (rock falls). Even so, boat tours make a stop a few meters from the beach so you can observe it and take pictures (Swimming here is also not allowed).

In the whole island you will see boat tours to Navagio beach advertised. It is worth noting two possible routes, from the North and from the South. In both, in addition to Navagio beach, you will visit several blue caves and remote coves.

Most tours are on large boats with many people (20-30 people), especially those that go from the north side of the island. We recommend going from Porto Vromi (south of Navagio beach).

South boat tours: Porto Vromi

Porto Vromi are two fjord-shaped bays from where boats leave for Navagio Beach. The journey is much shorter than from the north, taking about 15-20 minutes by boat without stops.

It is worth noting that you can take the tour from either of the two Porto Vromis. However, Porto Vromi Maries (here) is usually more touristy and with larger boats than Porto Vromi Anafonitria (here).

You can choose between group tours and private tours (renting a boat and captain). In Porto Vromi Maries they will charge you €30 for a 2.5h tour on a boat with 20-30 people. They usually make 3 departures daily.

In Porto Vromi Anafonitria, you will find companies that also offer group tours of 20 people for €20. They usually leave when there are enough people, so in high season they make departures quite often. Another very interesting option is to rent a private boat with a captain for 1.5h for €80 (€20 extra for every 30’). They are small boats for 5-6 people and the quality-price ratio is very good. In addition, in this way you can choose the departure time and avoid peak hours when everyone is visiting the same places. Another advantage is that being a smaller boat, you can enter more caves. We recommend Katerina boat tours.

The main stops from either of the two Porto Vromis are as follows:

• Navagio beach: The boat will stop a few meters in front of the beach so you can take some photos. The truth is that the best view of the beach will be from the viewpoint.

• Maravelia cave: Impressive cave with a beach inside. The boat drops you off so you can swim and reach the beach (here).

• Sfogio beach: It is a landscape with rock formations and arches (here).

• White beach: Remote beach under a cliff. The boat will stop here and you can reach the beach by swimming/walking (here).

• Face of Poseidon: Face carved into the rock. The boat will stop right in front so you can take a photo (here).

• Several local blue caves: In addition to this, you will visit several local blue caves where you can see the incredible color of the water. If the boat is small you can enter the caves. There are several in these two gulfs (here and here).

• Porto Steniti: Fjord-shaped bay. Depending on the remaining time you can take a swim in this bay (here).

North boat tour

This is the most popular route to go to Navagio beach. Most companies in the south of Zakynthos will take you by bus to the port so you can take the boat. You can also go to Agios Nikolaos (here) or Cape Skinari (here) on your own and get in one of the boats that go to Navagio (there are usually quite frequently, especially in Cape Skinari (every 20-30 minutes).

These boats are generally quite large, with 20-30 people on board. The typical tour is 2.5h and the price is €25. Personally, we do not recommend this option as the boats do not have as much maneuverability to enter the caves and because there are too many people.

On this tour, you will sail north to Navagio beach, stopping a couple of times to swim in a cove and in the blue caves. These are some of the most impressive blue caves on the island.