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
May - Good news - Gerakas beach is back in use by nudists. As you descend the hill there are many sun beds and a bar, all textile, but keep going and the clothes gradually disappear. By the end of the beach almost all were fully nude.
Because of the setting this is one of the most beautiful beaches on any Greek island.
Please use it and keep away from the sunbeds and go bare.
June - We visited the beach on one day in mid-June. The beach was already very crowded. A few nudists at the leftmost part of the beach, but lot of textiles walking in this area such that we didn't feel very comfortable.
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 men!
Crystal beach
is an unofficial nudist beach (report from September 2005). It is easily found by walking to the far end of the main road away from Laganas end and turning to the sea at the Taxi rank. Nudists used the far end of the beach away from the Hotel Cristal. The half-way point seems to be the cut-off for reasonable distance from the hotel and as a guide the 'Camel's Hump' on the cliff is a landmark.
Some people walk past to the next bay but it is not a voyeur route. The water was crystal clear and still as a mill pond for a number of days but as the weather and full moon took its toll, the water was a little rougher. The beach was relaxed with the Turtle watch volunteers not worrying about nudists. The beach appears 'dirty' but most of the debris is natural with dried seaweed looking like shredded paper and 'sand balls' like Kiwi fruits. The time of year meant the beach was never overly busy and the nude end reflected that.
As you enter the beach by Crystal Beach Hotel you walk to the left for about 3 mins and you come to the section where everybody is enjoying the sun all over their bodies. The fruit seller comes and delivers his fruit about 5 times each day. After speaking to a few Greek people this beach is known by them and this is where the natives come and bathe naked. At this part of the beach you can also wade past the large rock obstruction and you come to a totally secluded beach solely used by naturists. The sea is shallow and warm, you can play bat and ball in the sea without much in the way of people staring (interestingly, my contributor says his attractive 21-year-old wife usually gets stared at on "regular" beaches, but not on the nudist beach - an example of naturist beach users treating each other with respect that sometimes is lacking elsewhere).
July 2012 - I think there might be a bit of confusion here. From Crystal Beach and looking out to sea and if you walk about 7/8 minutes to the left and over a little outcrop of rocks and a bit of wading you will find yourself on Vrontonero beach. As far as I could see there is NO naturism on Crystal Beach at all !
September 2012 - At the far left of the beach where Crystal Hotel is you need to wade around some rocks to get to the naturist area, past some rocks made up of millions of amazing crystals. Just after storm of 14/15 September this was like walking through thick vegetable soup, but soon cleared up after a few days. Can also be reached by a rough track by turning right off the main Kalimaki to Zakynthos road towards the Cave bar. Not sure if this beach is still Crystal Beach or becomes Vrontonero Beach after the rocks, but either way it is very nice. Not quite as sandy as Dahfni and more pebbly access to the sea, but once over the pebbles the sea is sandy and gently shelving. Less couples and more single males than at Dahfni on the two days we were there, but no problems. Some big rocks to left-hand end for a bit of shade, but this tended to be where the single males were.
June 2018 - Around 10 naturists, some couples, some singles, on the last 20 metres at the far left of the beach (but before the rock outcropping that separates Crystal Beach from Vrontonero). No gap to speak of between naturists and the textile section; nice sand throughout. No gawkers observed during my brief (under 2 hour) visit.
September 2018 - The beach was still great and quiet. In the direction of the rocks only nude couples and single men. But the text on some rocks was horrible and racist: "No gay beach" and "kill the gays" in red paint! However we, gay couple, had a wonderful time. Sea and beach were very clean. For us the best and most quiet beach of Zakyntosh!
Kalamaki
My correspondents stayed at Kalamaki towards the Laganas side of the town in July 1999. The beach runs for 3 km from Kalamaki to Laganas. Either end of the beach near the two towns the beach is very busy with not too much 'topless' sunbathing. However if you walk towards the middle of the beach there are a lot fewer people, and those that are there tend to just walk along the sea edge. The beach is about 30 m wide but is backed by dunes. Although even the 'Thomsons' information sheet in the hotel identified the centre of the beach as 'naturist' my correspondents saw no-one fully naked. However they felt quite at ease going into the dunes, and were undisturbed except for the very occasional pony trekker (3 times in two weeks), and baring all. The sand is very hot and seemed to deter any of the walkers from venturing into the dunes. The downside was having to slip on 'bottoms' when wanting to go for a swim, although once into the water these could be removed for a 'freer!' swim as there were very few other swimmers in the water at this part of the beach.
The Captain thinks this all sounds a bit furtive for real pleasure, but hopefully if more and more naturists go there it will become more and more readily accepted. Unfortunately, more recent reports talk about "tourist industry", airport, hotels, crowds, tavernas, pubs, etc, etc. And a recent report pointed out that Kalamaki beach runs into Laganas beach and at the mid-point between the two beaches you might be able to disrobe, however the constant walking parade between the two resorts, and the need to stay within three metres of the sea made this a very uncomfortable exercise. No other fellow naturists were seen.
However correspondents who visited in June 2001 report that they went to the left-hand side of the main beach where it was was a clothes-optional beach. There were about 6 to 10 couples plus the odd single man there every day - all nationalities. No problems from textiles or voyeurs. There is a more secluded bay round the small headland to the left which can be reached by track behind Cava D'Oro tavern but this looked like it was mainly although not exclusively male.
A report from a visit in October 2003 says that both Kalamaki and Laganas beaches were packed with holidaymakers, but walking between the two for about a mile and the beach was empty except for tourists walking from one to the other. Only one other couple dared to bare, but if you go into the sand dunes for 25 yards nobody comes near. My contributors found themselves a little sun-trap between some dwarf pine and spent a couple of pleasant afternoons there, never seeing a soul.
And a Barefoot reporter tells me that in August 2007 he found Kalamaki beach divided by rocks that come out to the sea. [This will be well East of the Google Map spot selected above.] The second beach, on the left hand side, easily accessible by swimming or by following a path, is used by naturists - he rated it 90%.
2012 - even in the middle of September there were far too many people walking along from Laganas to Kalimaki to even consider going nude, although this was probably made worse by the beach at Laganas being covered in seaweed after the storm of 14/15th September. Did not even see any naturists in the dunes. Overall it was well [worth] the extra effort to walk further on to Crystal/Vrontonera beach.
September 2015 - The left side of the beach reported in 2001 with optional-clothes was constantly used by 2 to 20 naked people of all ages. The secluded beach that is very nice and big is accessible from that described road and also by crossing through the water some 25 metres further left. It is a large beautiful nude beach. In 14 days I have seen no police nor any other problems in either of the two places and I believe it is the most accessible and reliable place for sunbathing in Zakynthos.
Porto Koukla
A nice stone beach. Barefoot reporters who visited in 2004 said when they were there "we found an older naked couple and the rest (which were some distance away) were not disturbed by their nudity. Even the guy who charged them for the sunbed and umbrella (3 Euros each) was naked."
To get there you have to follow the road from Zakynthos to Keri. When reaching a road sign that points left to Ag. Sostis, Port and Koukla, turn left. After about 1.6 km turn towards "Magic Land" (a hand-made sign) and follow the road. The end is a hotel with stairs to the beach. Try to reach the beach from the stairs before.
Ag Andreas/Climati
It's unclear how the name "Aghios Andreas" came to be applied to this beach as the monastery and ruined nunnery of that name are on the opposite, west coast of Zakynthos, albeit on very much the same latitude. The quite clear directions that follow (and the photo) lead to a bay called Climati according to Google:
Very small, beautiful shingle bay with excellent snorkelling. Hard to find too. The turning is 100m or so north from Mikro Nissi, down a concrete track. Not much parking, but beach is very small. Get there early and set the trend, go late and if textiles are there [already] you may feel awkward. It's definitely a C/O place though, and when my contributor was there everyone seemed happy. Never more than 10 folk there at a time. This beach is not marked on the tourist maps. Don't shout about it either, don't want it spoiling. A report from June 2001 says it was deserted when my correspondent visited.
Unfortunately this beach seems to be less promising in 2003. A correspondent got there first to set the trend by going nude, following the Captain's advice, but nobody followed the trend on this beach. Mainly textile couples with no other nudes at all. Gave in in the end as the beach is now quite well known and must be a stop-off point on way to lighthouse at top of island. My correspondent also reported the water was freezing and seems to have an alga that makes the water blurry. The Captain feels sure that must be a temporary phenomenon.
Another report from July 2003 said there was one German couple nude on the beach. My reporters went nude and swam and sunbathed. My contributor says it was his wife's first time nude on a beach and a perfect place to start. The setting was beautiful, the beach peaceful and clean, the water perfect.
Xigia
A lovely quiet, secluded beach with "a small private bay" to the right.
From Alykanas go North along the coast, after about 5km there is a road sign that points right to Xigia beach, a tiny track takes you down to a small parking space.
September 2012: we visited the beach several times. Care needed to be taken as a recent storm had washed some of the road away. Leave the car park and walk back a few metres, then take the RIGHT path down the hill. The storm and some recent works had made this track very difficult. On reaching the main beach turn to look right, you will see the adjoining shingle cove behind a rocky outcrop. This can be reached by wading through waist-deep clear water. Past the outcrop there is an area where you can bare all and enjoy. We took plenty of supplies for the day and enjoyed totally unspoiled lunches and fantastically 'dreamy' afternoons. Hope it remains the same.
June 2015- Fantastic small beach! 100% nudists!
Laparda beach
As you're on the main road, before turning to Xigia beach there's a taverna called Pelagaki. There you turn right… There's a new (under construction) road where you drive for 3 minutes. On your left there's a hidden 800m shingle beach where you can swim and sunbathe nude! Great place for nudists!!! If you drive a 4x4 you can park it next to the beach, otherwise you'll have to walk 100 metres…
June-September 2013 - Exhibitionist couples having fun.
August 2014 - Some naturist couples and singles. Not very good beach, but very clean sea. Quiet place for first experience or relax time.
Agriosikia cave
Agriosikia is the only secluded nudist place in Alikanas. It's a small cave and some big flat rocks, ideal for nude sunbathing as well as snorkelling! If you spend your vacations in Alikanas it's highly recommended! The scenery of the place is unique… The negative part is that you have to walk through rocks (about 2 minutes) to find it, or through the olive trees. From the main road between Xehoriatis beach and Amoudi beach, there's a narrow road which leads to a small carpark. There is a metal chain between two olive trees. There starts a small path through the olive trees that leads to the cave.
June 2013 - I found that place with my wife accidentally… We spent all of our holiday there. Very relaxing. Sometimes sharing it with another nude couple. Nice afternoons!
August 2016 - I found that place with my girlfriend and it was great… One more couple and a local young guy, all nude ;)
Donkey's cock
Donkey's cock is a very small secret beach next to Gaidaros beach in Planos-Tsilivi. Just 200 metres before the small port of Gaidaros beach, there's a small path which leads to this place where is a tall rock…. The only "private" place we could find in Planos-Tsilivi.
