Zakinthos (Zante)
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| Zakinthos (Zante) There are Port(s) of Entry here
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Zakinthos (Ζάκυνθος) or Zakynthos or Zante is the southernmost of the Ionian Islands or Eptanesa (7 islands). Zakinthos, along the rest of the Ionian island, has been ravaged by frequent earthquakes.
Charts
- BA
- 203 Nisos Zakinthos to Nisos Paxoi
- Imray-Tetra
- G12 Nísos Levkas to Nísos Zákinthos
- NIMA
- 54280 Corfu Channel to Nisis Proti
- Greek
- 2 Ionio Pelagos
- 22 Ionio Sea - Southern Part
Weather
- See Ionian Sea Weather
- Also see Ionian Sea Currents & Tides
Passages
Islands
None.
Communication
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 & Tel. +30 26950 28117
- Olympia Radio - VHF channels 03 & 86
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Approaches to Zakinthos are straightforward.
Entrance
Customs in Port Zakinthos.
Berthing
There is only one harbor in the island, Port Zakinthos, but there are several good anchorages.
Ports
Port Zakinthos
Port Zakinthos is the main harbor of Zakinthos. It provides good shelter from the prevailing NW wind but with strong S winds there is a bad swell. Anchor in 6-7 m and go stern-to the NW mole (inside the jetty). The bottom is mud, good holding.
On the S side of the port a yacht marina is being built but as usual it is still not finished (and no plan to finish it).
There is electricity and water available on the North Mole. Alternatively you can go alongside or stern to in front of the cafes and the road. As the mole is crowded and the main road busy, if you look for sleep before 0300.. I would recommend anchoring a little off the ferries in the S part of the harbor. Also in August my boat was entered by thieves and a laptop was stolen while I was berthed on the N Mole. --Fabian 2012.
We berthed on the N mole for a week in March 2016. Really enjoyed. As usual, really nice and helpful people. We paid 10€ per night to Dionisios Marinos, a shipping agent from Yachting Club Zakynthos. He said he was in charge. -- -- Stephane & Veronique
Esploristo
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None (see Port Zakinthos above).
Anchorages
Ayios Nikolaos
Ayios Nikolaos is nice cove near the NE tip of the island. From here you can go with your dinghy or take a local caïque to the famous Blue Grotto.
Anchor off in 5-10 m near the small island. Reasonable holding, however there is not actually very much space. Keep clear of the ferry's path. Or moor stern-too W quay where there is room for about 12 yachts. You can go alongside on the south wall if the quay is full. Harbour fee was 9.47 euro for 12m catamaran (2014).
Danger: While entering the cove avoid the reef on the N of the small island.
Warning: Around 1 PM a strong gusty wind blows.
Water, electricity and wi-fi are all available on the quay at no charge from Dimitri who also runs the restaurant La Storia at the end of the beach. We found the food there to be mediocre --LifePart2.
If you only want to visit the Blue Grotto and the weather permits you can temporarily anchor near the last cave.
Lagana
Keri
Vromi
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | Port Zakinthos: on the quay |
| Electricity | Port Zakinthos: on the N mole |
| Toilets | ? |
| Showers | ? |
| Laundry | ? |
| Garbage | There are bins around the harbor and in several anchorages |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | Port Zakinthos: on the quay |
| Bottled gas | ? |
| Chandlers | In the town there are some modest stores. |
| Services | |
| Repairs | Only Minor |
| Internet | In Internet cafés |
| Mobile connectivity | Good 3G signal |
| Vehicle rentals | In the town |
Provisioning
Several supermarkets in the town.
Eating out
- Many tavernas in the town
Transportation
There are daily flights to Athens and ferries to Kyllini and Kefalonia.
Tourism
History
The island has a long history. It takes its name from Zakynthus the son of the king of Phrygia Dardanus. Zakynthus came from the city of Psophis in Arcadia, where his brothers reigned, to colonize the island. He built an acropolis, probably at the location where the Venetian castle is today, which he named Psophida. According to Pausanias and Thucydides this happened around 1500 BC. It is believed that Zakinthos was part of the Odysseus kingdom of Ithaka. The islanders worshiped Apollo and Artemis. During the Peloponnesian War Zakinthos was a member of the Athenian alliance until it was conquered by the Spartans.
During Roman times Zakinthos had some autonomy and prospered but in the late Roman period it was frequently raided by pirates, Goths, Vandals and Arabs and its fortunes declined. Later it became part of the Byzantine Empire. During the Crusades it was overtaken by the Franks and in 1185 the Palatine County of Cephalonia and Zante was found, which survived for three centuries under the Orsini Family. In 1479 it was occupied by the Ottomans who held it until 1485 when they were replaced by the Venetians.
The Venetians dominated the island until 1797 when the post revolution French took over the island and proclaimed it republic. This state of affairs did not last more then 15 months. In 1800 the two powers decided to establish an independent state under the name "The Septinsular Republic" under the supervision of Russia and Turkey, the first modern Greek state. In 1807 France reconquered the island to be succeeded two years later by the British who held the island ("The United States of the Ionian Islands") until 1864 then it became part of Modern Greece.
During WW II the island was occupied by the Italians and later by the Germans who held it until 1945. In 1953 a terrible earthquake shook the Ionian islands and cause massive destructions in Zakinthos. Since then it has been rebuilt but many charming old buildings have perished.
Zakynthos is the birth place of the poet Dionysios Solomos (1798-1857) who wrote the Hymn to Liberty, the Greek national anthem.
 The Venetian Fortress |
 The Blue Grotto |
Places to Visit
Town of Zakinthos
It is worth visiting the restored Venetian Fortress of Zakinthos. Also in town there are two worthwhile museums: the Byzantine Museum which houses many icons and paintings and the Dionysios Solomos Museum dedicated to the poets Dionysios Solomos and Andreas Kalvos as well as other noteworthy Zakinthians.
Monasteries
There are two monasteries in the island of some interest: the post-Byzantine Monastery of Aghios Ioannes Prodromos (St. John the Baptist) about 20 km from the town, and the 15 th century Monastery of Theotokos about 25 km from the town.
Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto, near Ayios Nikolaos, is maybe the most famous site in the island. In my opinion this rather overrated. Nevertheless if you are in Ayios Nikolaos it is worth a visit. Alternatively, and if the weather permits, you can temporarily anchor near the last cave and snorkel.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Zakinthos (Wikipedia)
- Ionian Islands
- Caretta Carreta
- http://www.videopilotbook.com/zakynthos/ (A yachtsman's video guide)
References
See Ionian Sea.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Zakinthos (Zante) and this page's details validated:
- 1989 (Port Zakinthos, Keri, Vromi) --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
- 1995 (Ayios Nikolaos, Lagana) --Istioploos
- 2009 (Ayios Nikolaos) --Nereus
- July 2005 (Port Zakinthos) --Atheneoflymington 16:46, 12 January 2010 (UTC)
- August 2012 (Port Zakinthos) --Fabian
- September 2013 (Port Zakinthos, Ayios Nikolaos) --Zebahdy of London
- May 2014 (Ayios Nikolaos) --LifePart2
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Names: Istioploos, Nereus, Athene of Lymington |
