Zakynthos: early morning Shipwreck,Blue Caves and view point small group
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From $93.97
47 reviews (4.04)
Price varies by group size
Lowest Price GuaranteePricing Info: Per Person
Duration:
Departs: Rafina, Rafina
Ticket Type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Free cancellation
Overview
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the beach so early morning while no one is on shore, later it gets very crowded with lots of tourists and boats.
The iconic shipwreck, the stunning beach, the most incredible electric blue waters, and the high steep limestone cliffs are awesome and spectacular, you won't believe your own eyes.
Discover hidden gems (beaches & caves of the west coast) you did not read about in any travel guidebooks.
Explore, swim and snorkel inside the smallest blue caves, bigger boats can’t get in.
Experience the beauty of the pristine countryside in the early morning.
What's Included
Bottled water
Full insurance
Personal Map
Private transportation
Professional driver guide with photography skills!
Tickets for the boat
What's Not Included
Comfortable walking shoes for the mountain
Lunch
Towels, Flip flops, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat
Traveler Information
- INFANT: Age: 0 - 5
- CHILD: Age: 6 - 11
- ADULT: Age: 12 - 60
Additional Info
- Face masks provided for travellers
- Face masks required for travellers in public areas
- Guides and boat crew are experienced and certified.
- Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
- There are no toilets on Shipwreck beach or at the Shipwreck viewpoint.
- You will have to walk for about 10 minutes in a stone path at the shipwreck viewpoint to get to the best location.
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Gear/equipment sanitised between use
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There are cafeterias in Porto Vromi where guests may use the toilet or buy snacks and refreshments.
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
What To Expect
Zakynthos
Begin your unique experience with a convenient pick-up from the door of your accommodation or hotel throughout the island, by our VIP Mercedes-Benz minivan (if 6 persons), or luxury M- Benz minibus (if 8-12 persons).
Your very friendly, professional local guide-driver of the day will begin by giving you a free map of Zakynthos before briefing you on your unique tour that lies ahead.
On our way to take the boat, you will enjoy the views of the olive groves, vineyards, the diversity of the landscape, the rugged but verdant mountains, the traditional village houses, the old churches, and the stunning panoramic views of the turquoise sea waters of the northeast coast as well as the northwest coast, until we arrive in our next stop.
Your very friendly, professional local guide-driver of the day will begin by giving you a free map of Zakynthos before briefing you on your unique tour that lies ahead.
On our way to take the boat, you will enjoy the views of the olive groves, vineyards, the diversity of the landscape, the rugged but verdant mountains, the traditional village houses, the old churches, and the stunning panoramic views of the turquoise sea waters of the northeast coast as well as the northwest coast, until we arrive in our next stop.
• Admission Ticket Free
Porto Vromi
Porto Vromi is a picturesque bay with a couple of beaches on the west coast of Zakynthos. Although there is no direct link between them, we will get there from the side of Anafonitria.
Going down the mountain road with its many harping bends, the scenery is magnificent with the sea penetrating the cove surrounded by the rocks, makes you understand how great the views of the entire port from above are! It is inside a small fjord, so special and spectacular to see this place from above the idyllic bay
you will admire the small shallow Anafonitria’s iconic beach (around 25m wide), with its small white pebbles and crystal clear deep, cool water and so many sea urchins.
From this small port, we will get on board a small to medium size boat, which allows us to literally enter and be able to go inside some small amazing caves. It will take about 20 minutes to sail along the west coast, which is full of little caves and scenic views of the high cliffs that fall straight into the sea.
Going down the mountain road with its many harping bends, the scenery is magnificent with the sea penetrating the cove surrounded by the rocks, makes you understand how great the views of the entire port from above are! It is inside a small fjord, so special and spectacular to see this place from above the idyllic bay
you will admire the small shallow Anafonitria’s iconic beach (around 25m wide), with its small white pebbles and crystal clear deep, cool water and so many sea urchins.
From this small port, we will get on board a small to medium size boat, which allows us to literally enter and be able to go inside some small amazing caves. It will take about 20 minutes to sail along the west coast, which is full of little caves and scenic views of the high cliffs that fall straight into the sea.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach)
Now that you are one of the first tourists to land so early at one of the most famous beaches on the planet, grab your camera and get ready to snap the best pictures with the most amazing background of the small cove surrounded by steep limestone formations.
You will have the opportunity to swim in the most stunning turquoise water in the world, relax and enjoy the extraordinary scenery that nature has created and of course the stunning views beyond description.
Explore the rusty hull of the commercial shipwreck, named, M/V Panagiotis, which grounded onshore in 1980 and lies in the middle of the white sandy beach. Although it has decayed quite a lot, it still looks magnificent.
Leaving Navagio, the captain will bring the boat to the best location of the beach with the shipwreck in the background to capture the best photos.
For many people this is the most magical and romantic place in Europe, and not only.
You will have the opportunity to swim in the most stunning turquoise water in the world, relax and enjoy the extraordinary scenery that nature has created and of course the stunning views beyond description.
Explore the rusty hull of the commercial shipwreck, named, M/V Panagiotis, which grounded onshore in 1980 and lies in the middle of the white sandy beach. Although it has decayed quite a lot, it still looks magnificent.
Leaving Navagio, the captain will bring the boat to the best location of the beach with the shipwreck in the background to capture the best photos.
For many people this is the most magical and romantic place in Europe, and not only.
60 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Blue Caves
Sailing back along the west coastline of Zakynthos, it looks very special. The blend of emerald waters, a beautiful seabed, sheltered coves, secluded beaches, and amazing blue caves.
The blue caves are one of the island's most famous attractions after the shipwreck beach and while these natural wonders have been formed by continual erosion of the cliffs by the sea, they create a series of magical chambers. The Blue caves take their name from the sapphire color cast by the sunlight shimmering through the water and being reflected into the caves.
Our small-medium boat allows us not only to get right into some of the small undiscovered caves for about 20 minutes (bigger boats can’t) but you can also enjoy swimming and snorkeling inside one of them, with its breathtaking natural turquoise seawaters which paint the limestone and everything around you in a stunning, ethereal blue (including you).
Finally, we will make another stop for swimming at an unspoiled golden sandy beach.
The blue caves are one of the island's most famous attractions after the shipwreck beach and while these natural wonders have been formed by continual erosion of the cliffs by the sea, they create a series of magical chambers. The Blue caves take their name from the sapphire color cast by the sunlight shimmering through the water and being reflected into the caves.
Our small-medium boat allows us not only to get right into some of the small undiscovered caves for about 20 minutes (bigger boats can’t) but you can also enjoy swimming and snorkeling inside one of them, with its breathtaking natural turquoise seawaters which paint the limestone and everything around you in a stunning, ethereal blue (including you).
Finally, we will make another stop for swimming at an unspoiled golden sandy beach.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
We will stop for swimming at this white, secluded, and originally pebbled beach which is a characteristic sample of the natural beauty of Zakynthos.
Well-hidden and rather unfrequented beach, it is not just to enjoy swimming or snorkeling, but you will see with your own eyes how turquoise, transparent, and crystal clear waters it has, you will admire the unparalleled beauty of the impressive tall white cliffs of the shore and the naked rocks that emerge from the sea.
Simply, another hidden gem on Zakynthos.
Well-hidden and rather unfrequented beach, it is not just to enjoy swimming or snorkeling, but you will see with your own eyes how turquoise, transparent, and crystal clear waters it has, you will admire the unparalleled beauty of the impressive tall white cliffs of the shore and the naked rocks that emerge from the sea.
Simply, another hidden gem on Zakynthos.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Porto Vromi Beach
We continue our 3 hours boat trip, exploring more caves, each one more unique than the other. However, the last one is the magnificent Poseidon cave at Porto Vromi bay. Next to it, there is a natural rock formation in which you can easily spot the stunning face of Poseidon, the god of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. And do not worry the captain will get closer to the face so you can capture the best instagram pictures, while the guide will tell you the ancient Greek myths about Poseidon.
• Admission Ticket Free
Anafonitria
Stop for lunch (own expenses) at a typical Greek, Zakynthian family-run taverna, named Galaxy, a neat location at Anafonitria, a junction of a small mountain village with views of green hills, only 3 kilometers away from the shipwreck viewpoint.
Yiayia ( means grandmother in Greek ) Dimitra is the boss of the kitchen, with her very tasty home-cooked traditional dishes with fresh homegrown vegetables and homemade wine and desserts, while the rest of the family would treat you like a family member or a friend. Simply authentic taverna in a mountain village, very nice atmosphere, good menu, sensible prices, very generous dishes.
Yiayia ( means grandmother in Greek ) Dimitra is the boss of the kitchen, with her very tasty home-cooked traditional dishes with fresh homegrown vegetables and homemade wine and desserts, while the rest of the family would treat you like a family member or a friend. Simply authentic taverna in a mountain village, very nice atmosphere, good menu, sensible prices, very generous dishes.
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Exo Chora
The famous 2.000 years old olive tree is located in the village of Exo Chora, Zakynthos island. It is one of the seven oldest olive trees in the Mediterranean, and probably one of the oldest olive trees in the world.
There is not yet an agreed-upon scientific method to ascertain the age of olive trees.
In the case of this ancient olive tree, although its exact age cannot be verified, it is believed to be at least 2000 years old based on tree ring analysis. It still produces olives to this day.
Here was one of the main filming locations of the famous Korean drama (the descendants of the sun).
There is not yet an agreed-upon scientific method to ascertain the age of olive trees.
In the case of this ancient olive tree, although its exact age cannot be verified, it is believed to be at least 2000 years old based on tree ring analysis. It still produces olives to this day.
Here was one of the main filming locations of the famous Korean drama (the descendants of the sun).
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Reviews
George was a fun guide,...
Steven_M, 28-10-2022
George was a fun guide, the Greek dancing was a bonus! Saw lots! Sadly it was Viator we had the problem with!
A beautiful trip
jordanf475, 26-10-2022
We had such a lovely day! We were lucky to have George showing us around everywhere. You can really feel the sincerity and genuine and GENEROUS attitudes of everyone here. Our favorite part was the boat rides to the blue caves!
Lovely day!
E2229AEolivial, 22-09-2022
Beautiful day out, our guide was so friendly and helpful! And took some photos for us! Really lovely day out!
Island Tour
Kite R, 03-09-2022
A great trip in aircon minivan around the island stopping for photos at shipwreck and boat tour to the Blue Cave. We stopped at 2 beaches and many spots for the view. Our guide Sakis went out of his way to make this a great experience for everyone. I recommend this day out.
Early morning tour means packed beach Shipwreck Beach
drogato_di_viaggio, 22-09-2022
We booked this tour for the small group and early morning option as we wanted to visit Shipwreck beach before the crowds arrived. We were collected at 7:30am from our hotel and picked up a few more guests before swapping vehicles and then picking up more guests from their restaurant in the main town. We are 20 people in our vehicle. The vehicles have aircon, but not well performing judging by the heat in the vans. It is then a long and winding road into the mountains.
We stop at the viewing platform for shipwreck beach which we were told was the best way as it avoided the queues later on. The platform is a metal square slightly jutting out from the car park area and will only allow one person/group at a time for a photo so I can imagine this queue getting long when a coach arrives. We quickly stop for a toilet and drink break at a restaurant a five minute drive away before taking the shorter trip down to the harbour to join another Dali Tour mini bus and get on our boat. There are now 40 people in this small group. The boat thunders along showcasing lovely cliffs and beaches before we turn the corner and see what I can only describe as pure hell on shipwreck beach. The volume of people is not the fault of the tour company, but we didn't arrive on the beach till 11am, so not quite the early morning quiet trip I had been expecting. The boats with passengers make their way to the beach which you jump off at and then spend 45mins enjoying the views, if you can actually enjoy anything for the volume of people (see photos).
The sand has a lot of stones so sliders or water shoes would be advisable. On a side note, no trainers are needed at all as there is no walking on this tour. We spent our time looking at the larger boats, carrying at least 300+ pulling up and dropping passengers off, along with people trying to get that instagram shot whilst dodging boat rudders. We are here at peak season in the summer holidays and I am sure there are times (like at 9:30am when we were looking down on the beach and only seeing a handful of boats anchored up) when it is totally peaceful and serene.
Once back on the boat we visited another beach with cool rock towers, this was my favourite and way quieter than Shipwreck Beach. We visited some caves along the way and there was another snorkelling point for those with stronger lungs to get to it from where we were anchored. I didn't feel confident in that deep water and the distance to the cave so stayed on the boat. After this it was back to the harbour and on the slightly warm minibus up to the restaurant for lunch. The restaurant is there for the tourists as it is in the middle of no where. It was however ok, for the price. A little Greek dancing and another toilet tip and we were on our way to a little side street market stall where we could buy local goods and tourist tat.
We visited the 2000 year old olive tree and bought some of the tasty oil, which we only can hope is genuinely from the tree, but at a few euros it isn't a deal breaker if it isn't.
Thinking the tour was over, we stopped off at another beach, this time, it smells of sulphur and has a very steep incline down. No good for those with mobility issues. To be honest, the tour would be a little tricky getting the full benefit of the boat if you had mobility issues. This beach is known for it's sulphur smell and collagen sand. We enjoyed a little swim and the beach whilst small wasn't too busy.
We were now finally on our way back to the hotel, some 9 hours after being collected.
So whilst this wasn't may favourite tour ever, we enjoyed most of what we saw. But just be aware, early morning does not mean you will see an empty Shipwreck beach and small group of 40 is smaller than the 300+ we saw on one boat alone!
If I could do it again, I would hire a boat ourselves to take us and not rely on a tour company to get us to Shipwreck beach.
We stop at the viewing platform for shipwreck beach which we were told was the best way as it avoided the queues later on. The platform is a metal square slightly jutting out from the car park area and will only allow one person/group at a time for a photo so I can imagine this queue getting long when a coach arrives. We quickly stop for a toilet and drink break at a restaurant a five minute drive away before taking the shorter trip down to the harbour to join another Dali Tour mini bus and get on our boat. There are now 40 people in this small group. The boat thunders along showcasing lovely cliffs and beaches before we turn the corner and see what I can only describe as pure hell on shipwreck beach. The volume of people is not the fault of the tour company, but we didn't arrive on the beach till 11am, so not quite the early morning quiet trip I had been expecting. The boats with passengers make their way to the beach which you jump off at and then spend 45mins enjoying the views, if you can actually enjoy anything for the volume of people (see photos).
The sand has a lot of stones so sliders or water shoes would be advisable. On a side note, no trainers are needed at all as there is no walking on this tour. We spent our time looking at the larger boats, carrying at least 300+ pulling up and dropping passengers off, along with people trying to get that instagram shot whilst dodging boat rudders. We are here at peak season in the summer holidays and I am sure there are times (like at 9:30am when we were looking down on the beach and only seeing a handful of boats anchored up) when it is totally peaceful and serene.
Once back on the boat we visited another beach with cool rock towers, this was my favourite and way quieter than Shipwreck Beach. We visited some caves along the way and there was another snorkelling point for those with stronger lungs to get to it from where we were anchored. I didn't feel confident in that deep water and the distance to the cave so stayed on the boat. After this it was back to the harbour and on the slightly warm minibus up to the restaurant for lunch. The restaurant is there for the tourists as it is in the middle of no where. It was however ok, for the price. A little Greek dancing and another toilet tip and we were on our way to a little side street market stall where we could buy local goods and tourist tat.
We visited the 2000 year old olive tree and bought some of the tasty oil, which we only can hope is genuinely from the tree, but at a few euros it isn't a deal breaker if it isn't.
Thinking the tour was over, we stopped off at another beach, this time, it smells of sulphur and has a very steep incline down. No good for those with mobility issues. To be honest, the tour would be a little tricky getting the full benefit of the boat if you had mobility issues. This beach is known for it's sulphur smell and collagen sand. We enjoyed a little swim and the beach whilst small wasn't too busy.
We were now finally on our way back to the hotel, some 9 hours after being collected.
So whilst this wasn't may favourite tour ever, we enjoyed most of what we saw. But just be aware, early morning does not mean you will see an empty Shipwreck beach and small group of 40 is smaller than the 300+ we saw on one boat alone!
If I could do it again, I would hire a boat ourselves to take us and not rely on a tour company to get us to Shipwreck beach.
