Planning a visit to Keri Caves in Zante, Greece, but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place!
In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about visiting Keri Caves on the island of Zakynthos. Including how to get there, the best tours, what to do once there, where to stay and more!
Located in the south part of the island, this group of sea caves is nowhere near as famous as the Blue Caves, but it’s just as beautiful (if not more, thanks to the presence of fewer ships)!
The Keri Caves is a must-see for nature lovers. The impressive caves, paired with the high white cliffs and distinctive blue color of the sea, is a pretty stunning natural sight.
It’s easy to see why Keri Caves is one of the most popular tourist excursions in Zante.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and discover everything you need to know about visiting Keri Caves in Zante, Greece!
Contents
Kayaking through Keri Caves in Zakynthos, Greece
What are the Keri Caves in Zakynthos?
Zante has a lot of amazing places to see and spots to explore along its stunning coastline.
Along with the more famous locations such as the Navagio Shipwreck Beach and the Blue Caves, there’s also the equally (if not more) pretty Keri Caves.
The Zakynthos Keri Caves are a series of spectacular caves that have been carved out of the cliffs over thousands of years.
There’s a variety of different caves to explore in this cave network, some are large enough for a boat to enter, while others have small entrances that can only be accessed on a kayak.
Although not as well-known as the more famous Blue Caves, the Keri Caves are actually very beautiful and the water inside them is also bright blue.
Kayaking through the rock formations of Keri Caves in Zakynthos, Greece
Kayaking through Keri Caves in Zante, Greece
How to get to Keri Caves
The Keri Caves in Zakynthos are located over on the island’s south-west coast. The caves are actually found on the Keri coastline between the Kapo Marathia and Mizithres rocks, which is where they get their name from.
The only way to access them is by the sea – most people choose to get there by boat or kayak.
Boat trips usually leave from either the busy port of Agios Sostis or Laganas Bay, so you may want to choose a tour that sets off from a location that’s nearest to where you’re staying.
Exploring the coastline and turquoise sea of Zakynthos, Greece, by boat
The best Keri Caves tours
Keri Caves & Turtle Island private boat trip
The Keri Caves, Greece, are one of the many amazing places to see on a boat trip around Zakynthos.
This private day tour will take you on a 3-hour-long adventure around the coast of the island, stopping off at some of the most incredible locations along the way.
The trip begins at Agios Sostis Harbour, where you’ll join an experienced skipper and head out to sea. This tour takes you to see the abundance of nature that lives within the boundaries of the National Marine Park in Laganas Bay.
You’ll try and spot the native turtles that live in the waters here, and pass by beaches where they lay their eggs.
The adventure continues at Keri Caves where you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel in the crystal clear water of the caves, and really soak up the beauty of the island.
Check out prices & availability for your private Keri Caves boat trip here, or directly in the calendar below!
Exploring Keri Caves and Turtle Island during our private boat tour around Zakynthos Island
Keri Caves & Turtle spotting tour on a glass bottom boat
A popular choice for those looking for affordable Keri Caves boat trips is to join a tour on a glass-bottom boat.
Although they seem like a pretty cool idea (seeing the turtles and other fish swim below you sounds epic), it doesn’t always live up to the hype.
Sometimes the glass bottom of the boat can be dirty, so it’s hard to see anything swimming around the boat.
There also seems to be a bit of an issue with the boats harassing the turtles, with crowds harassing the marine creatures in their natural environment.
That being said, some glass-bottom boat tours are better than others, and if you really want to see the coast of Zante but are on a budget, then they’re a good option.
This tour is well-reviewed and takes you turtle spotting, but also to see the Caves of Keri where you can jump off the boat and enjoy a refreshing swim.
Check out prices & availability for your Zante glass-bottom boat tour here, or in directly in the calendar below!
Going inside the smaller Keri Caves during our kayak tour in Zakynthos, Greece
Private cruise around the whole island
Looking for something a bit more exclusive? Then why not treat yourself to this private boat tour of the Keri Caves of Zante?
This cool private cruise sets sail from Porto Vromi, and leads you along the coast in search of all of the amazing locations around the island. Your friendly local skipper will be on hand to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
The trip is packed full of sights and includes the chance to spot turtles on Turtle Island, get a close-up look at the famous Navagio Shipwreck, and then onwards to the intriguing hidden treasure cave along with other special destinations.
Finally, the trip rounds up with a visit to Keri Caves, where you can swim in the glistening turquoise waters before being whisked back to port.
Click here to book your private cruise to Keri Caves, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!
Kayaking to a hidden beach during our Keri Caves kayak tour in Zante, Greece
Kayak tour of Keri Caves
For the most adventure-minded travellers out there, why not make your way into the network of caves in a kayak?
We did a Keri Caves kayak tour with this company, which gives you the opportunity to explore the Keri Caves with a knowledgeable guide.
You will be led into the caves by the guide who will show you all of the hidden spots and photogenic locations deep inside.
The best part about exploring by kayak is that you can see parts of the caves that the larger boats just aren’t able to access.
The tours are open to anybody aged 6 and above and those with a good level of swimming ability. You don’t need any previous kayaking experience, and the tour will take you to a collection of scenic locations along the coast.
Enjoying our kayak tour along the Keri coast of Zante, Greece
Or how about hitting the high seas in your very own boat? This boat rental experience allows you to set off on an adventure of your own making.
The small boat can be rented from Laganas Beach and then you can simply decide where you want to explore.
All you need to bring along for the ride is your food and drink for the day, as well as plenty of sun protection. Keri Caves and all the wonders of Zante’s coast await!
It’s worth noting that although you don’t need a boat driving licence to rent a boat in Greece (as long as the engine is below a certain power), you shouldn’t do so unless you have experience at sea and feel comfortable doing so in a safe manner.
Click here to book your own private boat rental in Zante, Greece! Or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!
Enjoying our private boat tour around Zakynthos, with a stop at Navagio Shipwreck Beach
The iconic Turtle Island, just off the coast of Zante
What to do at Keri Caves
So what can you actually do at Keri Caves? The caves themselves are the main attraction. No matter what type of cruise you choose from, you can expect to cruise through the pretty limestone arches and explore inside caves.
The caves are super scenic (perhaps even more so than the Blue Caves), but you don’t spend long inside them. If you want to see more of the caves, it might be a good idea to opt for a kayak tour.
During our kayak tour we paddled through two caves, which were way too small for a boat to fit in. This was a pretty special experience, as we were the only ones there.
Most of the Keri Caves tours also include some beach time, a little turtle spotting, and if you’re joining a full-island tour, maybe even Navagio Shipwreck Beach.
Enjoying the beautiful beaches of Zakynthos, Greece
Is visiting the Keri Caves worth it?
Yes. I found Keri Caves just as beautiful as the Blue Caves (if not more), and since we explored them by kayak instead of by boat, I actually enjoyed my experience more.
We spent a very fun half day kayaking along the coast of Zante, just below the towering limestone cliffs, weaving in and out of narrow caves and imposing arches.
Add to it a short break at a beautiful beach with crystal clear turquoise water that you can only reach by sea, and it was the perfect excursion in Zante!
We also cruised past it on the day that we did our private boat trip, but since we’d already seen them thoroughly by kayak, we told our captain not to stop.
Overall I found it to be a very beautiful spot to discover, especially by kayak, and especially if combined with a longer tour that includes other sights in Zante.
Kayaking through the crystal clear waters of Zakynthos, Greece
Where to stay to visit Keri Caves
If you want to be close to the Keri Caves, then the village of Keri is the obvious choice when it comes to deciding where to stay in Zante. We spent five nights there and found it a quiet and relaxing town to stay.
That said, given many Zante boat tours will include a pick-up and drop-off transfer service, or depart from different harbours around the island, what town you stay in Zakynthos won’t massively affect your visit to Keri Caves.
Here are some great places to stay for every budget.
Budget: Gerovasis Apartments with Sea View – This is where we stayed in Keri for five nights. This apartment spacious, clean, has epic views and for the amount of people it sleeps, it’s fairly cheap.
Click here to book your stay at Gerovasis Apartments with Sea View!
Mid-range: Joya Luxury Villas – Even though there is Luxury in the name, this beautiful villa is actually pretty affordable, while still offering a luxury service. It sleeps up to 10 people, has a private pool, and is perfectly positioned to explore the North East coast of Zante. We stayed here for the weekend and loved it.
Click here to book your stay at Joya Luxury Villas in Zante!
Luxury: Lesante Cape Resort & Villas – We had lunch here and fell in love with the venue. This 5-star hotel has beautiful little villas with private pools, amazing service, stunning views and is in a great position. Perfect to spoil yourself!
Click here to see prices & availability at Lesante Cape Resort & Villas!
The outdoors terrace at Gerovasis Apartments in Keri, Zakynthos
The beautiful pool and sea view at Lesante Cape Resort & Villas in Zante, Greece
What to pack for Keri Caves
You don’t really need much besides your usual beach essentials to visit Keri Caves, but I listed below a few essentials anyway, just to make sure you don’t forget.
Power bank – you don’t want your phone to run out of battery while you’re busy capturing the stunning caves and beautiful blue waters!
Waterproof phone pouch – Whether you’re visiting Keri Caves by boat or kayak, it’s always a good idea to put your phone in a waterproof pouch, so that you can have it on your for photos, without risking it getting wet!
Stainless steel water bottle – save money and reduce plastic consumption by bringing your own water bottle and refilling it.
Sunscreen – Especially if you visit in summer, you don’t want to ruin your trip by getting sunburnt.
Hat – Same as above, the sun is strong, you’ll want some shade for your head during the day!
Kayaking through the rock arches of Keri Caves along the coast of Zante, Greece
Do you need travel insurance to visit Keri Caves?
After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.
You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your Greece travel insurance with Heymondo.
Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).
Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.
As a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!
Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!
Exploring hidden beaches during our private boat tour in Zakynthos, Greece
Final thoughts on visiting the Zakynthos Keri Caves
There you have it, the ultimate guide to visiting Keri Caves in Zante, Greece! Have you explored these unique sea grottoes in the Ionian Sea before? How did you find them? Let me know in the comments below!
Located in the southwestern coast of Zakynthos Island, these caves are characterised by the highest cliffs, distinctive rock formations and crystal clear blue water. It’s a pretty beautiful spot to discover.
They’re pretty similar to the Blue Caves, with the added benefit of less crowds, which meant we really enjoyed our kayak tour along this coastal stretch of the island.
Keri Caves is definitely a must-see in Zante, especially when combined with other iconic sights on a longer boat tour.
I hope you found my Keri Caves guide useful. If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!
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