Zakynthos: Navagio Beach & Blue Caves Boat Tour with Cliff Views

The boat is already moving toward the caves when you realize how blue the water actually gets.

You board a boat to Navagio Beach and the Blue Caves, with 30+ minutes to swim in the caves and another 30 minutes at or near the shipwreck. You also get the cliff-top view from Bohali Hill and photo stops along the way. Hotel pickup and water are included, and the whole day wraps by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zakynthos highlights and beach tour

• Visit Bohali hill panoramic view
• Pass by Makris Gialos beach photo stop
• Visit natural spa beach with sulfur springs
• Boat tour to Navagio shipwreck beach area
• Enjoy 30 minutes at nearby beach (Sfogio, Golden, or White)
• Visit Navagio beach panoramic top view
• Explore Blue Caves by glass bottom boat
• Swim in blue crystal waters if weather allows
• Swim inside nearby blue cave if weather allows

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel (anywhere in central Zakynthos, from Laganas to the main town), and heads straight to the port. You're on the water within an hour, and that's when the day splits into two halves. First comes the boat ride itself: you'll motor past Makris Gialos beach (there's a photo stop at the overlook), then into the Blue Caves, where the water turns a shade of blue that photographs don't quite capture. The glass-bottom boat lets you see straight down, and if the sea is calm enough, you get time to swim in the crystal water inside the caves. It's maybe thirty to forty minutes of actual swimming, depending on conditions and how many people are on the boat that day.

Then you head toward Navagio Beach, the shipwreck itself. The boat can't land directly on the beach anymore for safety reasons, so the captain will either anchor near it for photos and a swim, or land you on one of the nearby beaches (Sfogio, Golden, or White beach, depending on the weather and what's accessible that day) for about thirty minutes. Either way, you get the full view: the rusted ship sitting in the sand, the cliffs rising behind it, the whole thing framed exactly as it appears in every photo you've seen. The guide on board usually has a camera and knows the angles, so if you're not confident with your own shots, they can help.

Before or after the boat portion, timing varies, you'll stop at Bohali Hill for the panoramic view of Zakynthos town and the southern coast. It's a short drive up, and the vista is the kind of thing you stand there for five minutes just looking at. There's also a natural spa beach with sulfur springs on the itinerary if conditions allow, though that's more of a bonus stop than a main event. The whole day runs from morning pickup through early afternoon drop-off, and you're back at your hotel by early evening. The air-conditioned vehicle, water bottle, and professional driver are included. If your accommodation is outside the main pickup zone (places like Keri or Vasilikos), there's an extra fee of around 15 euros per person.

One thing to know: the boat trip is weather dependent. If the sea is rough, the tour still happens, but the boat portion might be shortened or rerouted. From November through mid-May, when there are fewer bookings, group tours automatically become semi-private, so you're not packed in with strangers. Families with small children can bring a pram, and infants sit on a parent's lap unless you buy an extra ticket. The tour isn't recommended if you have serious heart or cardiovascular issues, but otherwise it works for most fitness levels. You're mostly sitting or standing, not hiking.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned vehicle pickup from your hotel (within the main Zakynthos pickup zone), a professional local guide with photography skills, boat access to the Blue Caves with swimming time, a boat trip to Navagio Beach with 30+ minutes in or near the water, a panoramic stop at Bohali Hill overlooking Zakynthos town, photo stops at Makris Gialos beach, and a bottle of water. Hotel drop-off is included at the end of the tour.

Options for this experience

4 options

Shared minibus and shared boatGuide in English · 08:30 and 10:30Door-to-door service: we collect guests from their chosen spot (accommodation, port or airport) and drop them off there again. Photography: guests can ask their guide to capture memorable photos at any point of the tour. Small groups. Duration: one day, lasting about 6 to 9 hours and combining land (minibus) and sea (boat). Bottled water and free tastings: the guide-driver looks after travellers' hydration, and there are many opportunities along the way to taste local products. Land and sea. Modern vehicle with air conditioning and audio system. Pickup is included.

Semi-private, maximum 11 travellersGuide in English · 10:00VIP minibus and VIP speedboat, maximum 11 travellers. Duration: 6 hours, with flexible timing. Highlights: Navagio shipwreck beach, Blue Caves, panoramic view of the Navagio shipwreck and more optional stops according to the semi-private group's wishes. Pickup is included.

Private car and shared boatGuide in English · 08:30 and 10:00Door-to-door service: we collect guests from their chosen spot (accommodation, port or airport) and drop them off there. Photography on land and from the air: if guests wish to capture this experience with a drone, they can request it after booking. VIP. Duration: 8 hours, with the land portion of the itinerary flexible. Guests may want to spend more time at Xigia beach. Bottled water and free tastings: the guide-driver looks after travellers' hydration, and there are many chances along the way to taste local products. Tailor-made land portion: guests can choose the route according to their preferences. Modern vehicle with air conditioning and audio system: a comfortable modern car, minibus or speedboat. Minimum 3 participants: to cover the costs of a private car or van and a shared boat, a minimum of 3 travellers is required. Pickup is included.

Private car and private boatGuide in English · 08:30 and 10:00Door-to-door service: we collect guests from their chosen spot (accommodation, port or airport) and drop them off there. Ground and aerial photos and videos: after booking this full private option, guests can request a guide with a drone to create memorable photos and videos. VIP. Duration: 6 hours. Bottled water and free tastings: the guide-driver looks after travellers' hydration, and there are many chances along the way to taste local products. Tailor-made and flexible. Modern car or minibus with air conditioning and audio system, plus a speedboat. Minimum 2 adult participants: to cover the cost of a private vehicle and private speedboat, this option requires at least 2 adults to book. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 10:00 and 10:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 23

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Abba Travel Zakynthos

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want Zakynthos's three main sights (the shipwreck, the caves, and the cliff views) without arranging boats or transport separately. Plan for a full morning and early afternoon out. That's what fits all three stops and the swimming time into one day.

Traveler reviews

4.61★★★★★★★★★★

1,498 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,204

4 ★144

3 ★64

2 ★37

1 ★49

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can you actually land on Navagio Beach itself?

Not anymore: the Greek government closed beach access for safety. The boat anchors nearby for photos and swimming, or lands you on an alternative beach (Sfogio, Golden, or White) for 30 minutes instead.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all conditions, but the boat trip is weather dependent. If the sea is rough, the boat portion may be shortened or rerouted, but the land portions (Bohali Hill, photo stops) still happen.

Is the Blue Caves swim included?

Yes. You get time to swim in the caves if sea conditions allow. The glass-bottom boat lets you see underwater before you jump in.

How long is the whole tour?

From pickup to drop-off, it's a full morning and early afternoon. You're back at your hotel by early evening.

Are there extra charges?

Hotel pickup is free if you're staying in central Zakynthos (Laganas, Tsilivi, main town, etc.). If you're in outlying areas like Keri or Vasilikos, there's an additional 15 euros per person.

What's included?

Air-conditioned vehicle, professional driver/guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a bottle of water.

What if I book a group tour in low season?

From November to mid-May, group tours automatically convert to semi-private tours because fewer people book. You'll have a smaller boat and fewer strangers.