Zakynthos: Xigia, Navagio Shipwreck and Blue Caves Boat Tour

Small boat, big Zakynthos views. This 195-minute cruise packs the island’s famous north and east coast sights into one lively half-day outing. I especially like the 20-seat speedboat, which keeps the group smaller than many coastal excursions, and the three planned swim stops at quiet bays, the Blue Caves, and Xigia Beach. The main caution is the long open-water run to Navagio, which can feel choppy if you are prone to seasickness.

You leave from Alykes and head straight toward Navagio Shipwreck Bay, then work back along the coast. The route gives you a good mix of famous scenery and time in the water, although this is not a lazy harbor cruise. You will spend much of the trip moving between stops, with the boat captain sharing the driving and, based on the consistently warm feedback, a few jokes and useful comments along the way.

Key points to know before you book

• Only 20 seats: The smaller speedboat makes the outing feel more personal and leaves more room for clear coastal views than a large excursion vessel.
• Three water stops: Plan on swimming at a wild bay or Porto Sellinas Bay, near the Blue Caves, and at Xigia Beach.
• Navagio comes first: The boat makes the long outward run to the famous shipwreck bay, mainly for photos and sightseeing.
• The Blue Caves are seen from the water: You pass into the cave area by boat and stop nearby for a swim.
• Xigia is unusual: Sulphur-rich water gives the beach a distinct smell and a different color from other bays.
• Best for confident swimmers: Back problems and seasickness can make this fast-moving boat trip uncomfortable.

Why this three-hour cruise works well

At $50 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want to see several of Zakynthos’s best-known coastal sights without arranging separate boat trips. You get Navagio, the Blue Caves, Xigia Beach, a small boat, and up to three chances to swim.

The value comes from the route. These places are spread along the coast, so visiting them independently by land would not give you the same view from the water. You also avoid spending a full day on a boat. The scheduled duration is three hours and 15 minutes, which leaves room for a beach afternoon, a meal in Alykes, or a quiet break at your hotel.

The boat holds only 20 people. In practice, some departures may have fewer passengers, with one account describing a group of roughly 10 to 14 people. That matters because you can usually see the coast without a forest of heads in front of you, and swimming stops are easier to manage in a compact group.

This is still a speedboat, not a floating lounge. You should expect wind, spray, engine noise, and movement. If you want a slow cruise with lots of shade and room to stretch out, this probably is not your best choice. If you want an efficient route with a friendly captain and plenty to look at, it makes sense.

Leaving Alykes for Navagio Shipwreck Bay

The meeting point is at the end of the Alykes pier, where the boat named GOLDEN waits. The location is accessible by local bus, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Check the meeting-point photograph carefully before you leave, since the instructions specifically direct you to the end of the pier.

The standard departure is 9:30 in the morning. From June 10 onward, an additional 1:30 afternoon departure is offered. Arrive early enough to find the pier and board without a last-minute sprint. The booking must be made at least 24 hours ahead, and seats are limited.

The first stretch heads toward Navagio. The trip schedule allows about 30 minutes of sightseeing cruise before the shipwreck stop, followed by around 20 minutes at the bay. This is the longest uninterrupted run of the outing, and the water can be rough. One practical warning from the feedback is especially useful: the trip to Navagio can last almost an hour without a break when conditions slow the boat or the route takes longer than expected.

Navagio is Zakynthos’s most famous coastal image, with steep pale cliffs, bright water, and the rusting shipwreck that gave the bay its name. On this outing, the stop is mainly for photographs and sightseeing rather than a long beach stay. The boat lets you take in the bay from the water, a viewpoint that makes the scale of the cliffs easier to appreciate.

Do not book this portion expecting a quiet morning on the sand. The attraction is the view, the unusual wreck, and the drama of arriving by sea. Your best photographs may come quickly, so keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray.

The secret bay and the first swim

After Navagio, the boat turns back toward Alykes and stops at a less developed bay. Porto Sellinas Bay may be used, depending on the weather. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and combines a break, sightseeing, and swimming.

This is one of the tour’s better choices. Navagio is the famous name, but a quieter bay gives you time to appreciate the clear water without treating every minute as a photo stop. You can swim, look into the water, or simply cool off after the faster ride.

The exact location depends on sea conditions, so you should not expect the same bay on every departure. That flexibility is sensible. A captain who changes the stop for safety is doing the right thing, even if you had your heart set on one particular cove.

Bring a towel and swimwear under your clothes. You will not want to waste a 30-minute stop changing in a hurry. A hat, sunscreen, and water are also practical choices, since food and drinks are not included.

Passing through the Blue Caves

The Blue Caves are the tour’s most distinctive boat feature. Their pale rock openings and clear water create a changing mix of shadow and reflected blue as the boat moves through the cave area. The attraction is not just seeing the caves from offshore. The boat experience takes you into the cave zone, giving you a closer look at the rock formations.

The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes sightseeing, photographs, and swimming. This makes the Blue Caves more than a quick pass-by. You have time to get into the water and see the coast from below the cliffs.

Water color depends on sunlight, weather, and the angle of the boat, so do not expect every photograph to look like a postcard. The natural setting is still the point. You get a sense of how the caves shape the coast, while the swim gives you a chance to enjoy the clear water rather than only view it through a camera screen.

The captain and guide are important here. The boat needs to approach the caves with care, and a good skipper helps the stop feel relaxed instead of rushed. Feedback repeatedly praises the friendly crew, with captains identified as Niko or Nicki in separate comments. Names may vary by departure, but the useful takeaway is that the crew’s good humor and welcoming manner are a major part of the outing.

Xigia Beach and its sulphur smell

Xigia Beach is the final major stop before the boat returns to Alykes. The beach is known for sulphur-rich water that comes from a cave in the area. That gives Xigia a particular smell and can tint the sea a different color from the other swimming spots.

Some people find this unusual and memorable. Others may not love the sulphur scent, especially in a small cove where it can be more noticeable. I would treat the smell as part of the place, not a flaw. Xigia is interesting precisely because it does not feel like a generic blue-water stop.

You get about 30 minutes here for photographs, sightseeing, and a final swim. The water is described as warm, clear, and strikingly blue, though conditions can change. If you are sensitive to strong smells, take a look from the boat before deciding how long you want to stay in the water.

After Xigia, the return cruise takes about 15 minutes according to the schedule. You arrive back at the same Alykes pier where you started.

What the small speedboat changes

A 20-seat boat gives this excursion a different rhythm from a large group cruise. Boarding is simpler, the captain is easier to hear, and the trip feels less anonymous. You also spend less time waiting for a large group to settle at each stop.

The tradeoff is comfort. A small speedboat has less interior space and may offer less protection from sun, wind, and spray. The ride can be lively, especially on the outward run to Navagio. People with back problems should avoid this trip, and anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

Sit where you can keep a clear view of the horizon if possible, and avoid arriving hungry or dehydrated. The tour does not include food or drinks, so carry what you need if the operator permits it. Smoking and pets are not allowed.

The boat’s small size also makes weather more important. The captain may alter the wild-bay stop or adjust the route when the sea is rough. That can mean a less predictable itinerary, but it is a reasonable trade for safety and comfort.

The crew and the feel on board

The strongest personal touch comes from the captain. The crew is repeatedly praised for being friendly, funny, and reassuring, with Niko or Nicki singled out in the feedback. One captain was described as informative as well as entertaining, which is exactly what you want on a coastal trip: enough explanation to add meaning, without turning the ride into a lecture.

The overall mood sounds low-key rather than formal. You are not signing up for a polished luxury cruise with a full meal and elaborate onboard service. You are joining a small boat outing where the guide points out the coast, handles the route, and keeps the group moving.

That relaxed style suits people who want to swim and take in the views without a packed program of organized activities. It may not suit you if you need a highly structured tour with guaranteed stop times. Each swimming break is listed at about 30 minutes, but sea conditions can affect the exact timing.

How to prepare for the morning or afternoon

Wear swimwear from the start and bring a towel. Sunscreen and a hat are essential, especially on a boat where reflected light makes the sun feel stronger. A waterproof phone pouch is a sensible addition for the Navagio and Blue Caves stops, although it is not listed as an included item.

You will need to make your own food and drink arrangements. Since the trip lasts 195 minutes, a bottle of water and a small snack before boarding are practical. Keep belongings compact, as a small speedboat is not the place for bulky luggage.

The tour runs in Greek and English. The meeting point can be reached by local bus, but you must arrange your own way to and from Alykes pier. If you are staying in Alykanas, check your connection and allow extra time, since the boat departs from Alykes.

Early booking is wise during the busiest months because the boat has limited seats. The tour starts daily at 9:30, with a second departure at 1:30 from June 10. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this boat ride to you if you want a compact introduction to Zakynthos’s northern and eastern coast. It works especially well for couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone staying near Alykes or Alykanas who wants a half-day on the water.

You will get the most from it if you value:

• Famous scenery combined with real swimming time
• A small group rather than a large vessel
• A friendly captain and an informal atmosphere
• Three major coastal stops in one outing
• A moderate price compared with arranging several separate excursions

I would be cautious if you suffer from seasickness, have back problems, dislike strong sulphur smells, or need a slow and sheltered boat. The Navagio run can be rough, and the speedboat’s movement is part of the experience.

Should you book the Zakynthos boat tour?

At $50, this is a good-value choice for a focused half-day cruise. You see Navagio Shipwreck Bay, enter the Blue Caves area, visit unusual Xigia Beach, and get three swimming stops without committing to a full-day trip.

Book it if you want an active coastal outing and can handle open water. Skip it if your priority is comfort, shade, or a guaranteed calm ride. For most able swimmers who are staying near Alykes, the combination of three swims and famous scenery makes this one of the more useful ways to spend a morning on Zakynthos.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

The boat departs from the end of the Alykes pier. The boat is named GOLDEN, and the meeting point can be reached by local bus.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 195 minutes, or three hours and 15 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The regular daily departure is at 9:30 in the morning. An additional 1:30 afternoon departure is available from June 10.

Does the tour visit Navagio Shipwreck Beach?

Yes. The boat travels to Navagio Shipwreck Bay for sightseeing and a photo stop of about 20 minutes.

How many swimming stops are included?

The tour includes up to three swimming stops: a wild bay or Porto Sellinas Bay, the Blue Caves area, and Xigia Beach.

Can you swim inside the Blue Caves?

The tour visits the Blue Caves by boat and stops in the area for swimming. The provided information describes passing through the cave area rather than promising a swim deep inside every cave.

Is Xigia Beach different from other beaches?

Yes. Xigia is known for sulphur-rich water from a cave, which gives the area a distinct smell and can affect the color of the sea.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the Alykes pier.

What should you bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the tour suitable for people with seasickness or back problems?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems or people prone to seasickness. The run to Navagio can be choppy and may last close to an hour without a swimming break.