We’ve spoken about the stunning island of Zakynthos in Greece on plenty of occasions as an ideal spot for a relaxing island getaway where most of your days are spent exploring the picture-perfect landscape and enjoying the array of gorgeous beaches on offer. However, if you are browsing our incredible villas in Zakynthos and are actually planning your trip today then we have one particularly lovely beach for you to make note of as a must-see among all of the great beach options and wonderful spots of natural beauty that the island has to offer: Gerakas Beach.
Without a doubt one of the most picturesque of all of the beaches on the island, this is partially because Gerakas Beach is also where the protected Loggerhead turtles that populate the island come to nest and hatch their eggs and is a highly protected area that is part of the Zakynthos Marine Park, as a result. While this fact means that there are some restrictions to keep in mind for those visiting the beach, it is also one more reason for many people to visit and, if you’re up for getting there before dawn between May and October you might even be able to spot the eggs hatching and the baby turtles making their way to the sea for the first time from a distance!
This stunning and untouched beauty of a beach is located 18km south of the island’s capital and near Cape Geraki on the Vasilikos peninsula, a short distance from the town of Vasilikos. It is made up of a long and curving golden sand tongue that ends in a small promontory made entirely of clay (once used in beauty treatments by tourists but due to the clay being pulled off by tourists for use the ridge became unstable and access to this section is now completely closed off). Bordered by lush greenery and impossibly blue waters, it makes for a rather colourful and magical-looking sight. The sand is very soft with relatively few stones so you won’t need to worry about stubbing your toe and the pretty calm waters here don’t get very deep until you are about 100m offshore, leaving plenty of space for little ones to splash around safely. As a result, this is a rather family-friendly spot where everyone can bathe, snorkel, play, and lounge around together. And, if you do happen to decide to snorkel, be sure to keep your eyes peeled as it is not uncommon for one of those beloved Loggerhead turtles to swim on by! For families who have found a holiday rental in Zakynthos, Gerakas Beach really is a perfect option if you’re looking to enjoy some days on the beach.
While the beach is protected and does not boast the more convenient and built-up facilities that other beaches on the island have to offer such as restaurants, shops, snack bars, bathroom and shower facilities, and more, Gerakas is not completely without some comforts. Sun loungers and umbrellas have been set up on the beach and can be rented by visitors, allowing you to enjoy the great natural beauty of the area while also relaxing in a comfy spot that affords support and shade and means you don’t have to lug your own supplies around with you from your villa in Zakynthos. The is also free parking at the beach with a path leading directly down to the strand.
More extensive facilities or services than this cannot be offered or constructed at the beach, however, as the welfare of the turtles who hatch their eggs on this idyllic beach must come before anything else. As a result of this, too, access to the beach is only allowed from 7am to 8pm daily. So, if you were thinking about trying to get a glimpse of the turtles, as we mentioned above, you will need to keep in mind that you must maintain your distance and not actually go onto the beach itself until access is allowed for the day.
The ideal time to visit for many people, meanwhile, is midday, when the sun overhead illuminates the waters of the Ionian Sea and makes it look its bluest and most magical. Those looking to avoid crowds during the peak season may have to pass this up, however, in favour of fewer numbers of fellow visitors earlier in the day (between 7am and 11am) or in the late afternoon (3pm to 8pm). Still ir is one of the quieter beaches on the island, despite its incredible looks, even when the beach is at its busiest in July and August so it is one of the better shouts for those looking for a quieter and more peaceful day at the seaside. Outside these two months, from March all the way to November, Gerakas is still a great beach to visit and there will be almost no crowds to contend with at all. So, if you find a vacation rental in Zakynthos off-season or during the height of summer, it is one of the best beaches to pencil into your itinerary.
While there are certainly some other more famous and better-equipped beaches that you can visit if you have found a villa in Zakynthos, few can compete with the peace, tranquillity, and unblemished natural charm of the truly picturesque gem that is Gerakas Beach. On your next getaway in this part of Greece, be sure to set aside some time to seek it out and don’t forget to say hello to the turtles from us!