Zakynthos: Navagio & Blue Caves Private Boat Cruise

The boat has a shower and a full bar—most people don't expect that on a Greek island cruise

You get a private boat with a professional skipper, snorkeling gear, and access to Navagio Beach, the Blue Caves, and lesser-known swimming spots around northern Zakynthos. The half-day format means you're back by early afternoon, and the onboard shower, leather lounges, and canopy take the roughness out of a full day on the water. Book this if you want the main sights without the crowd noise and without arranging your own boat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private cruise to Zakynthos highlights

• Board private Italian pleasure craft
• Sail to Shipwreck Beach (Navagio)
• Explore secret coves and beaches
• Visit and swim at Blue Caves
• Swim in sulfur waters at Xygia
• Enjoy snorkeling in crystal waters

The Experience

You're standing on a dock in Zakynthos, and the choice is simple: join a packed tour boat with forty other people, or step onto the Marinello Eden 18 with maybe a handful of guests and a professional skipper who knows where the crowds aren't. The boat itself changes the day—100 horsepower engines, a large leather sundeck up front, a canopy that actually covers you, and a shower with fresh water onboard. It's the kind of detail that sounds small until you're six hours into a private cruise and you can rinse off salt water without waiting in a queue.

The half-day itinerary hits the three things everyone comes to Zakynthos for: Navagio Beach (the shipwreck), the Blue Caves, and the sulfur waters at Xygia where you can float without effort. But the skipper also knows the coves that don't make the postcards—Filippoi Beach, Atsigganos, Stenitis, Sfoggio, and a secret blue cave that stays quiet because it's not on the standard route. You stop, you swim in water so clear you can see the bottom, you move on. No schedule pressure, no horn blasts signaling everyone back to the boat in five minutes.

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a swimming ladder so you're not hauling yourself back up by your arms. There's a cool box and an ice box, bottled water, and the option to bring your own drinks if you want them. The boat has Bluetooth speakers, so if you want music while you float, that's there too. The skipper handles everything—navigation, timing, knowing which cove is worth the detour and which one's already packed with day-trippers by noon.

What’s included

• Professional skipper.
• 100-horsepower boat with leather sundeck and rear lounge.
• large canopy.
• onboard shower with fresh water.
• snorkeling equipment.
• swimming ladder.
• cool box and ice box.
• bottled water.
• Bluetooth speakers.
• all fuel costs, fees, taxes and insurance.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mistral Boat Rentals

Is this one for you?Book this if you want Navagio and the Blue Caves without the noise of a group boat, and you value the comfort of a sundeck, shade, and an onboard shower—the private format is what makes a half-day feel unhurried instead of rushed.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

How long is the cruise?

It's a half-day cruise, typically around 4–5 hours on the water depending on sea conditions and how long you spend at each stop.

What's included in the price?

Skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, use of the shower and fresh water onboard, cool and ice boxes, large canopy, leather lounges, swimming ladder, Bluetooth speakers, all fees and taxes, and insurance.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring alcoholic beverages if you prefer, and there's a cool box to keep things cold. Bottled water is provided.

Is it safe for children?

Yes, the boat is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. The boat has a swimming ladder and a skipper who manages safety on the water.

What if I'm pregnant?

The cruise is not recommended for pregnant travelers due to the motion and conditions on the water.

Do I need swimming experience?

No. You can snorkel, float in the sulfur waters, or simply relax on the sundeck. A swimming ladder makes getting in and out of the water easy.

What's the boat like?

The Marinello Eden 18 is a 100-horsepower Italian pleasure craft with a large front leather sundeck, rear lounge, full canopy for shade, an onboard shower, and Bluetooth speakers. It's designed for comfort on longer cruises.

Which beaches and caves do we visit?

You'll stop at Navagio Beach (the famous shipwreck), the Blue Caves, and Xygia (known for sulfur-rich waters). The skipper also takes you to quieter coves like Filippoi Beach, Atsigganos, Stenitis, Sfoggio, and a secret blue cave depending on conditions and your interests.

What if the weather is bad?

Sea conditions determine the route and which coves are accessible. The skipper will adjust the itinerary for safety and comfort. Specific cancellation or rescheduling policies should be confirmed when you book.

Is there a minimum group size?

This is a private cruise, so it can operate with just you and the skipper. There's no stated maximum, but the boat is designed for small groups to keep the experience intimate.