Zante has been blessed with many fantastic beaches. These are just a few of our favourites....
Vassilikos - This picturesque peninsula boasts some of the best beaches on the island and attracts everybody from walkers to sunworshippers.The famous St Nikolas beach is reputed to have the best scuba diving and watersports on the island. However, for those of you looking for your own quiet patch of sand, Mavratsis, Gerekas and other sandy coves are perfect.
Tsilivi - This is a long sandy beach with plenty of beach bars and restaurants. It gets very busy in the peak season as it is popular with Greeks and all European tourists. Tsilivi also hosts a watersports centre, several beach bars, restaurants and sun loungers for hire. This is a popular beach for families.
Alykes/Alykanas - This is a long, wide, sandy beach with shallow gently sloping waters and an excellent view of Kefalonia. Alykanas and Alykes are connected by one of the best beaches on the island, perfect for a long stroll beside the water or a relaxing day under a parasol soaking up the sun.
Laganas/Kalamaki - This is the most popular beach on the island with miles of sandy coastline stretching along the islands southern shores. The warm, shallow water makes it an ideal choice for families. The beach gets crowded close to the centre of Laganas, but if you keep walking towards Kalamaki you can find a quiet spot.
Water sports are severely restricted due to the presence of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Plenty of snack bars can be found along the busy part of the beach, plus there's a beach taverna, sunbeds and parasols for hire on the Kalamaki stretch too.
Porta Koukla
Further south from Laganas is the small beach at Porto Koukla. One of the quieter beaches on the island, its warm shallow waters are ideal for a relaxing day away from its busier neighbours.
Argassi
Although not the best beach on the island, Argassi has a fine sand and shingle beach offering beachfront bars, many with pools and complimentary sunbeds/parasols. The beach is narrow and follows the length of the town. Argassi beach also offers a good variety of water sports.
Banana Baya
Reached via a long sandy track, Banana Baya is one of the islands best beaches with a wide sandy coastline and shallow, gently sloping waters. White lilies grow along its shores and give it a somewhat exotic image. There are a choice of beach bars as well as sunbeds and beach umbrellas charged locally.