Zakinthos - Docking
Port Zakinthos
Position:
37°46′.69N, 20°54′.36E
This is a commercial port with no working marina as such. There is a small dock adjacent to the main port which was originally intended to be a marina but, in fact, was never completed. That said fess are being charged for overnight stays. Daytripper boats moor there and there is very rarely space for any visiting yachts. Most visiting yachts moor on a first come first served basis on the main town quay.
On the town quay, yachts can berth stern-to or bows-to the NE or NW quays – where directed. Wash can be a problem here, so be sure to pull yourself a good distance off the quay and make sure your anchor is well dug in. The road that runs along the town quay can also be very noisy during the summer months.
There are a number of shipping agents that operate here who can assist you in advance with finding space on the town quay.
This harbour is less safe in the winter as strong southerly winds create a swell, even inside the harbour.
The holding is good in this harbour and the most comfortable place to be is in the NE corner clear of the ferry turning area. In the summer, the large day tripper boats that occupy the NE quay move, leaving a little more space for visiting boats. This quay has water and electricity.
The NW quay has good depth at its northern part, but is neither comfortable nor safe in a strong southerly.
Anchoring in the harbour is not permitted.
There are fuel stations around the harbour or it can be delivered by mini-tanker.
As with most town quays, rats can be a problem here, so it is important to take the necessary precautions with any mooring lines. Be sure to secure your yacht properly if leaving it for any length of time.
Port Security
Note that when a cruise ship is in port the Hellenic Coastguard close down the whole port, limiting permitted traffic to that of ferries and cruise ship passengers only. You will not be allowed to enter or leave the port whilst the cruise ship is in port (approx. 0900-1700) and will not be given any advance warning. It is recommended to enquire on arrival if a cruise ship is expected, so you can plan accordingly.
Docking/Anchoring elsewhere on Zante Island
There are some beautiful anchorages on Zante, but watch out for Katabatic gusts, restrictions according to the National Marine Park and day tripper boats.
Ormos Ay Nikolaos
Position: 37°54′.33N, 20°42′.57E
A bay on the northern tip of Zante with some shelter provided by the off-lying islet of Ay Nikolaos. There are two quays here, one on the south side of the bay and the ferry quay in the north. Lay plenty of chain as depths drop off quickly. It can get quite uncomfortable here on the quay when it’s full of day-tripper boats and any swell enters the bay, and untenable with strong winds from the NE. Moving and anchoring SW of islet Ay Nikolaos approximately 50 meters from shore can be more comfortable. Dimitri also has a quay (opposite the petrol station). He offers free mooring with water (and electricity if needed) on the understanding that dinner is taken in his taverna. There are plenty of tavernas here and a mini-market.
Alykanas
Position: 37°50′.68N, 20°46′.83E
Yachts can anchor off the beach outside the swimming area in Alykanas, located on the NE coast of Zante. This is a useful spot to anchor if wanting to head around to “Wreck Bay” the following morning.
Kavos
Position: 37°50′.41N, 20°49′.18E
Also on the NE coast, this small fishing harbour is only suitable for smaller yachts drawing less than 1.5m. If space can be found this is a very sheltered spot.
Ormos Vroma
Position: 37°49′.02N, 20°38′.03E
This is a spectacular deep inlet on the NW coast of Zante, just south of the much-photographed “Wreck Bay”. In settled weather, it is possible to overnight here, but take care with the strong Katabatic winds that blast down the mountainside and the very deep water. A line ashore is recommended and holding can be poor in places. In strong southerlies this bay is dangerous.
“Wreck Bay”
It is advisable to try and arrive here early in the morning and anchor close to the west side of the bay, clear of the bulk of day-tripper boats.
Last updated: June 2019
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Paid 25 euro/night for NW town quay. 44ft cat. Discounted to 20 euro if you stay 3 nights. No power where we were placed.
We have just left our yacht in Zakynthos in the safe hands of the YCZ yacht club. We intend to return in a couple of months when the height of the summer is over.
Just a note about the main harbour.. we turned up a few days early to secure our spot and were surprised by the amount of road traffic which runs past all the boats moored stern to against the harbour quay.
No question that this road is a main attraction, particularly at weekends, for anyone wanting some entertainment. Motorbikes scream up and down making sleeping for those on board impossible.
You also have the Zoo effect of people walking past all the boats. My advice would be one-night maximum, then head north to the harbour at Ormos Ay Nikolaos to see the rest of Zante.
Reported by SY Funny Girl – September 2016:
Town Quay Zakinthos
We were immediately directed to the NW city quay and helped by a guy from the Marina.
There is water available via service poles. You have to pay 5 € when using this service, but there is no direct control of use.
Hello again!
Back in Zakynthos, I can report that the port improved a lot. Dionisios Marinos / Yach club Zakynthos handles the yachts with care.
I left my boat there for 3 months and found her in the perfect condition I left her. The guys from the “Marina” are very polite and helpful. If you need anything, just ask them, they help to find what you seek! Zakynthos is a beautiful island and worth a visit. I enjoyed! Thanks a lot!
Posted on behalf of Fabian Eder – SY Europa:
Recently in Zakynthos, they closed the port completely when a Cruise Ship came in (9 am to approx 5 pm). I am moored there. Went for a coffee at 8:30 and when I returned to get my luggage and close the boat up for flying home.
The port police had closed the entire harbor due to Security reasons (terrorism fear?). I had to have a long discussion with them (Yacht Club Zakynthos were very helpful) before I was allowed to go back to my boat.
There was no announcement in advance that this was going to happen. In Zakynthos, the port is not so big and yachts moor on the NW breakwater and the town quay, while the intense ferry traffic occupies the southern part.
The cruise ship – one of those common in the med, nothing “special” – anchored outside the port and passengers were transferred in small boats to the harbor. But in fact, the Hellenic coast guard closed the port for all private traffic (except the ferries).
No boats were allowed to move in the port, no people were allowed to enter or leave the port area on land, apart from the cruise ship passengers. When I talked to the Dionisios Marinos (Yacht Club Zakynthos).
Who is in charge of the section of the port where the yachts moor, he told me that this happens now whenever a cruise ship comes. The crucial point is the lack of information in advance. No VHF notice, no-one comes to the pier the day before to inform yacht owners.
Vitamina have just been at Zakynthos. It is worth to ho to blue grotto and to the bay on the west coast where there are a lot of beautiful creeks and in Navaio there is a sinking boat on the beach and there is incredible turquoise water. On the south, it says that you can find turtles but the problem is that there is a restricted area and you have to ask for permission to anchor there.