aka Zante
Zakynthos is very popular with package tourists, the vast majority textile, with predictable results. Some visitors who visit with naturism in mind come away disappointed. However there are several beaches with plenty of naturist fans, although no guarantees that nudism is available in high season. Most of these beaches are around the Gulf of Laganas, set into the south end of the island.
Some Barefoot reporters suggest that some of the best beaches on Z cannot be reached by land. It's an idea to hire a boat and explore these, together with the tiny islands that surround Zakynthos.
Here the beaches are listed in clockwise order starting from Zakinthos Town
Gerakas
On the very southernmost tip of Zakynthos Island there is a beach called Gerakas beach, a famous turtle beach. A long drive down from Zante (30mins) by car. Before the beach there is car parking, the lazy bar, a coffee hut and a shop. Walk down the slope onto the beach and turn right.
This beach has featured for many years in Cap'n Barefoot's Naturist Guide, but the indications are that it is not now really available for nudism. There are numerous stories of police activity, and even the conservation warden getting involved. It's much to be regretted but Gerakas cannot now be recommended as a naturist destination. Nevertheless:
Recent reports
September
Wife and I visited the beach for a week mid / late september. Every day there were about 5-6 couples and a handful of singles on the beach at the far leftmost end. The textiles occasionally walked into the area but were of no bother and tbh were more nervous than anything. The water is clear, calm and perfect and no bother from anyone!
June - Good news - Gerakas
I visited the beach on one day in end-June. The beach is easy to reach by car and then was very crowded. i confirm the report of June 2019: A few nudists at the leftmost part of the beach, but lot of textiles walking in this area, due to the famous photos spot "Jason bite". I would not suggest.
from the parking on the right end a hard way lead to a secluded beach, but mainly of stones and nearly no sand. access to water is difficult as well, not recommended either.
scenary is really beautiful however.
If you want to read about Gerakas as it once was, see my "Some we have lost" archive.
Note from the Captain: It is well known that the sea turtles on Zakynthos are threatened. Tourism brings benefits to the Greek Islands but it can be ecologically damaging too. A considerable degree of responsibility is required of those who visit beaches which are also turtle nesting sites. In particular, any nests should not be disturbed, any turtles should not be "assisted" to the sea (it is essential to their development that they find their own way) and the beach should not be visited at night. And as with all beaches, litter should not be left. True naturists leave only footprints in the sand. This web page exhorts all those who visit Zakynthos to follow these guidelines. For more information visit the web site of the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece.
Melia / Dahfni
To reach this beach by car you drive the road eastward from Argassi, after about 6-8 km and after passing a nice taverna, very nicely situated high over the sea, turn to the right up for a hill, marked Dahfni beach (very hard to detect). If you miss that way, after another two km there is another way to the right marked Melia beach. The road to Dafni has been levelled and concrete and stone added in places but the road to Melia is still rough.
The first road over from Argassi end is now well signposted (also to the Turtle Exhibition Centre - well worth a look) and not too bad, even on a scooter, but be careful where you park, as some of the taverna owners may be a bit insistent on you spending money with them if you park in 'their carpark'. Both routes to the beach, signposted on the right of the main road from Argassi to Gerakas, end up at the same location and you can park at the Tavernas on the beach front. Note you cannot drive from one side of the car park to the other route. The first turn-off is OK, the second passes through very steep and scary inclines but does get nearer to Melia. Park the car and walk eastward along the beach around the hedge about 300 metres away. There is a wonderful beach just under very wild and high cliffs. You still have to walk round the cliff face to get to the beach at Melia. The beach is very little populated and the bathing is wonderful. It is quite narrow with a limited number of sandy areas, at most points you have to walk through stones and rocks while entering the sea.
Views are breathtaking, and it's a clothes-optional beach on the left when you reach the car park. To the right are the bars, etc. The beach itself attracts families, couples and single men, sometimes in groups. It's relaxed and unthreatening, very narrow with little shade, and nowhere to throw rubbish. A long walk to get a drink. Be careful about spiking umbrellas in sand, as it's a turtle nesting beach, and spikes can damage nests (see Note from the Captain).
Recent reports
July - The end of the nudist beach is for swingers 'n cuckolding…. I used to go there with my wife 'n every day there was “action”. Great place for such activities…..
Vrontonero
This beach, at the extreme eastern end of Laganas bay is almost entirely naturist. Head for Kalamaki and turn up towards the Cave Bar - past that, take the left rough road and it will lead right to the beach. There are NO facilities at all and not many tourists. Many locals go there, a lot of single guys (some gay) and lots of couples too. Completely relaxed for all. One Barefooter rated it 100%.
It is 600 metres from the Cave Bar. You can take a car most of the way but you will need to be very careful. You can also reach it by walking from the eastern end of Kalamaki just round some large rocks. The beach had single males, single females, male couples, female couples and mixed sex couples, 99% of which were nude when Barefoot reporters were there in early June 2008. Good access to the water which shelved gradually out. You could walk the length of the beach (about 600m) totally naked.
September 2011 - Note the road to the Cave Bar is straight ahead on the left coming from Zante, don't take the right turn to Kalimaki. The road from the Cave bar is very rough, so using a hired car it's best to park there and walk to the beach (about 15 mins). The beach was almost exclusively nudist with a mixture of singles and couples. It's a shingle beach but the furthest to the left had sandy patches and rock shelter. There are signs to a taverna on the road ahead of the last turn before the beach but we didn't see it. To get to Vrontonero from Crystal beach take the coastal path that leads from the beach upwards and along the coast for about 10 minutes. This cuts out the rather difficult walk from Crystal Beach. However i was accosted several times which I found uncomfortable. The beach was well worth it with several couples and 4/5 single men. Water and beach very clean. All in all a very nice beach for naturists.
August 2014 - Very nice place for naturists. I think that we can split this beach in two parts. The first, west side, is good for couples, family or single. The second, over the two great rocks and close to the cave, for swingers or exhibitionists.
Another report in August 2014 - Only for single
Pelagaki
From the parking area above Pelagaki beach, walk down the road on the right side…
Excellent nudist beach
You may find this gem also called Pigadi beach
