Agios Nikolaos Beach — Gateway to the Blue Caves

Agios Nikolaos is less destination beach and more strategic base camp. This small, pleasant harbour on Zakynthos’ northeastern tip is best known as the departure point for boat trips to the island’s famous Blue Caves — those sea-flooded limestone grottos where the water glows in impossible shades of cobalt and turquoise.

What Awaits You

The beach itself is modest: a mix of sand and fine pebbles in a sheltered bay, with calm, shallow water ideal for families. The real attraction is the natural aquatic theatre just around the headland. From the harbour, small boats depart regularly throughout the morning for the Blue Caves (also called Blue Grottos), where visitors can swim inside illuminated cave chambers. The light show — sunlight filtering through underwater openings and bouncing off white limestone — is genuinely breathtaking.

The village of Agios Nikolaos clusters around the harbour and offers a handful of tavernas and a small supermarket. It’s quiet and unhurried compared to the tourist circus of Laganas or Tsilivi — a proper Greek fishing village that happens to have one of the island’s most spectacular natural wonders on its doorstep.

Getting There

From Zakynthos Town, drive north on the main coastal road for about 32 kilometres. The road is well-paved and signposted. The drive takes around 45 minutes. Alternatively, Agios Nikolaos is also accessible by ferry from Pessada on the southern coast of Kefalonia — a scenic 1.5-hour crossing that’s worth doing at least one way if you’re island-hopping.

The Blue Caves — What to Expect

Boat trips to the caves depart from the harbour from around 8 AM. The boats are small (typically 8-12 people), and guides will take you inside the chambers where you can swim. The best time is between 9 and 11 AM when the sun angle creates the most intense blue glow — later in the day the effect diminishes. Round trip including swimming time is typically 45-60 minutes.

Insider Tips

If you’re visiting only for the Blue Caves, hire a small boat rather than joining a large group tour. Several local operators rent motorised inflatables — you get to linger as long as you like.

The beach at Agios Nikolaos is best in the morning before the tour boats load up. By late morning the harbour gets busy; by afternoon it quiets again as tours finish. A late swim in the calm harbour water as the tour boats head home is genuinely peaceful.

Best Time to Visit

May through September. The Blue Caves are best visited June-August for optimal water clarity and light conditions, but the beach is pleasant from May onwards. October sees the boats start to wind down.