Peligoni Beach Club and Zakynthos Island, Greece
We’d just come off a week through the Greek Islands on a catamaran, and staying at a beach club didn’t sound half bad. With building expectations, we were excited to spend time on land enjoying the beauty, food, and people of Greece.
Things to do in Zakynthos Greece
Zakynthos Beaches
Madrakia Beach
This was the only beach we actually spent time on. We kayaked from the Club to an island, then stopped off for some beach time. The sand was gorgeous. I guess there’s easy parking on the street, a restaurant, and water-taxi service here.
Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach)
On the Northwestern coast of Zakynthos, Navagio is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beach, and dramatic limestone cliffs. It features the iconic shipwreck of MV Panagiotis, stranded on the shore. We took a boat to see it, but due to the deteriorating limestone cliffs, you’re no longer allowed to go on the Beach.
Laganas Beach
On the southern coast of Zakynthos, You’ll find one of the longest beaches on the island, popular for its vibrant nightlife, water sports, and bars. Part of the beach is a protected nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles.
Kalamaki Beach
Adjacent to Laganas Beach on the southern coast, you can visit a quieter and more family-friendly alternative to Laganas Beach, known for its fine golden sand and shallow waters. Also a nesting site for loggerhead turtles.
Gerakas Beach
On the southeastern tip of Zakynthos, the adventurous will find a pristine, protected beach with soft golden sand and clear waters. It’s a designated nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles, making it a conservation area.
Porto Zoro Beach
The southeastern coast of the island hides a secluded beach with rocky formations, clear waters, and lush greenery. Offers a tranquil escape from the crowds.
Banana Beach
On the southeast coast, near Vasilikos, bring the kids to this family-friendly beach known for water sports, beach bars, and its lively atmosphere. Features golden sands and shallow waters.
Alykanas Beach
On the northeastern coast, you’ll find another calm and family-friendly beach with fine sand and shallow waters. It offers water sports and a range of amenities.
Tsilivi Beach
On the northeastern coast near the town of Tsilivi, many know about this popular beach with various water sports, restaurants, and bars. Known for its golden sand and clear waters.
Agios Nikolaos Beach
In the northern part of Zakynthos, find a picturesque fishing village with a small pebble beach, known for its traditional charm and tranquility.
Makris Gialos Beach
On the northeastern coast near St. Nicholas Port, search for this hidden gem with rocky surroundings and crystal-clear waters. Offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
These are some of the most popular beaches on the island of Zakynthos, each with its own unique characteristics and attractions.
Kayaking
The island owned by Italy off the coast of Zakynthos in Greece is called “Marathonisi.” It is a small uninhabited islet located in the Ionian Sea. Marathonisi is commonly referred to as “Turtle Island” due to its significance as a nesting site for the endangered loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).
The island is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which was established to protect the loggerhead sea turtle population and their nesting sites in the area. Marathonisi Island serves as a critical nesting habitat for these turtles, which come ashore to lay their eggs on its sandy beaches. The island’s protected status ensures that human activity is limited, and strict conservation measures are in place to safeguard the turtles and their nesting sites.
Tourism is regulated on Marathonisi to minimize disturbance to the turtles, and visitors are required to adhere to specific guidelines to protect the fragile ecosystem. Boat trips to Marathonisi are a popular eco-tourism activity in the region, allowing tourists to observe the natural beauty of the island and its importance as a nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles.
shipwreck beach and Blue caves
The most famous shipwreck on the island of Zakynthos in Greece is known as the “Navagio Beach” shipwreck. This shipwreck occurred on October 2, 1980, when a freightliner called the MV Panagiotis ran aground on the beach. The ship, which was allegedly smuggling contraband cigarettes, was abandoned by its crew and left stranded on the white sandy shores of Navagio Beach. The shipwreck has since become a popular tourist attraction and is one of the most photographed beaches in Greece.
Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach, is located on the northwestern coast of Zakynthos and is accessible only by boat. The beach is characterized by its stunning turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and the rusting remains of the MV Panagiotis, which still sit on the shore as a reminder of the shipwreck. Over the years, Navagio Beach has become a popular destination for tourists seeking the beauty of the Greek islands and the intrigue of the shipwreck’s history. It has also been featured in numerous travel magazines and advertisements, making it an iconic symbol of Zakynthos.
The Peligoni Beach Club Review
Peligoni Restaurants
PRO: The food was good, service friendly, and ambiance perfect. We enjoyed our meals at the club. Also, the events were great. They had a BBQ night for all the family, and they also had a guest chef series where they took care of the kids while the adults enjoyed unique offerings. We loved it! AND, the local craft beer: San Petros is magic.
CON: Definitely make reservations ahead of time. Our first meal upon arrival became a search nearby for other restaurants. They’re not staffed to handle the full capacity of those staying at the beach club unless you let them know you’re coming. A lesson we thankfully learned quickly.
Peligoni Pool
PRO: We spent quite a bit of time at the pool. It was perfect with shade and plenty of spots to relax. Since we came just before the main season, it was mostly little kids and babies, which was kind of perfect for us. We loved the swim-up bar! The kids got virgin drinks and ice cream, while us bigger kids indulged before napping in the cabanas.
CON: The pool was nice enough that it kept us from going down to the sea more than I wanted. Really no con here.
The Sea
PRO: plenty of cabanas line the ocean. There isn’t a beach, but the diving block and floating platform make up for it. We had a blast! One day, the staff tied 4-5 paddle boards together off the floating platform. We all took turns running across it. The kids crushed it! The dads got wrecked. The water was perfect temperature, clear, and gorgeous. Probably one of our favorite moments. Also, we should mention the ice cream shack right next to the water. We ate our fill of delicious cold sweets!
CON: When we kayaked down the coast, we found some amazing beaches. Some of the best ever! Would be nice to have one right in front of the Peligoni, but not much of a con since it’s kayak distance or even walking distance if not too hot out.
Amenities
PRO: Ping pong, pools, cabanas at the sea and pool, an entire area for daycare, stand-up paddle, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, boating, and more. We loved it all, and the kayak mission to “Italy” was particularly exciting (watch the video.)
CON: My wife had a massage and mani/pedi. She ordered the full package, and the girl performing the services said she didn’t and gave her the minimal one. Not a big deal, but confusing. Turns out she was excited to go hang out with the other young employees and didn’t want to spend the full amount of time.
In general, the only real problem with Peligoni was communication. They hire English and Irish people to service mostly people from the UK (we were the only US people there.) These kids have the best jobs in the world. But they’re not trained to know what’s going on. We had daily occurrences of being led in the wrong direction and told conflicting things. Granted, these kids were all very nice and sweet people. They just didn’t know what was going on. Normally I wouldn’t put myself in this boujee position. BUT, we spent a small fortune to stay at the beach club. If it had been 1/2 price, I wouldn’t complain. That being said, next time we visit Zakynthos, we’ll rent a place and do our own thing.
Another instance worth mentioning was the water taxi. We were told about a great cliff restaurant (Mikro Nisi Seafood Restaurant) only a 5-minute water taxi away (complimentary). Even though we have a rental car, we thought it’d be fun to take one. We booked it, got all dressed up for our final night and a special birthday celebration, and waited for close to an hour past the pickup time. We finally had someone get a hold of the guy, and he picked us up. The ride was fun and beautiful, and the restaurant was great. We then got a bill for around 100 Euros for the taxi. We explained how they told us it’d be complimentary, and they waved the charge. Another example of miscommunication from their staff. Again, not a big deal, but annoying.
Villas
PRO: We rented a 3-story villa with a pool and great views called Jogia. It was as good as it gets. The rooms were beautiful, the kitchen big enough to cook, kids’ room dark for sleeping, and the pool amazing. We loved how every level had ocean views and privacy. The A/C was pretty critical, as it got hot during the days (and nights.)
CON: It wasn’t communicated very well that the villa was not part of Peligoni. It took 4 days for us to learn more about the club and find out that the club doesn’t own all the units, and instead, they rent out or partner with locals. Not a big deal, but the man (owner of the unit) who met us to orient us was not the guy to talk to for any Peligoni information. He was gracious and kind, but one night we had a pizza night and there were a few problems. We rented everything you need for a pizza kit from Peligoni, which comes with dough, a pizza oven, toppings, and more. We didn’t get a pizza paddle or pizza peel, a pretty crucial part of the process. If we didn’t have 4 kids needing to eat, we could have waited. We spoke with our villa concierge, but it got very confusing, and he didn’t know what we were talking about. We finally got the peel and started making pizza. Not the end of the world, but it would have been nice to know who to talk to when it came to Peligoni services.
About Zakynthos
Zakynthos, or as it’s affectionately known to the locals, Zante, is one of the Ionian Islands located off the western coast of Greece. Its rich history is intertwined with stories of ancient gods, seafaring legends, and conquests. In ancient times, it was believed that Zakynthos was dedicated to the son of the god Dardanus, named Zakynthos, who is said to have established the first colony there around 1500 BC. This storied past is evident today in the age-old churches, Venetian fortresses, and other ancient monuments scattered throughout the island.
In the Middle Ages, Zakynthos experienced its fair share of invasions and rule changes. The Byzantines, Normans, Venetians, and Ottomans all sought to claim this gem of the Ionian Sea. However, it was the Venetians, who ruled the island for almost three centuries, that left the most significant mark on Zakynthos. Their influence is still visible in the island’s architecture, especially in Zakynthos Town, where one can witness a blend of Venetian and Byzantine styles. The Venetian influence extended not just to buildings, but also to the arts and language, enriching the island’s unique culture.
However, it is perhaps nature that is Zakynthos’s most renowned historian. The island is blessed with diverse landscapes, from its turquoise waters and white sandy beaches to its fertile valleys and mountainous terrain. One cannot speak of Zakynthos without mentioning the iconic Shipwreck Beach, locally known as Navagio, where the rusty wreck of a ship lies half-buried in the sand, framed by towering white cliffs. Legends say the ship was a smuggler’s vessel, but regardless of its origins, it’s become a symbol of Zakynthos’s untamed beauty. Through its ever-evolving history and stunning natural allure, Zakynthos stands as a testament to the resilience and beauty of the Ionian Islands.
But what was it like for the kids?
Zakynthos with kids & Peligoni Beach Club – Almost a week
By our 12 year old
Day 1
We got on a plane and flew from Athens to Zakynthos. A little Greek island. We drove our rental to Peligoni Beach Club. On the drive, we saw a bunch of goats on the road! At the Beach Club, we met up with the Scoggin Ohana got wristbands, and drove to your villa. Ours has 3 stories! Parents on the top and kids on the ground floor. We also have a pool! After settling in, we drove back to the Beach Club and had dinner.
Day 2
I woke up to the sound of Dad talking and THUNDER CRACKING! I went upstairs and actually got a video of a lightning strike! Later, at lunch, we ate at some weird restaurant with nice views. Then we went and hung out at a pool with the Scoggins. I got a virgin pina colada at the swim-up bar. Later that night, we made pizzas with a real pizza oven at our place. Charlie made his first. Then Witt, then Me, then Lily. And the Parents after us. IT was super fun.
Day 3
Today is a pool day. That means we played at the pool for a long time. Mom and Witt played some ping pong, then we went back to our place for pool time. Also, we spotted the BIG BOY YACHT that we saw while on our catamaran in Greece. WOW! We then went and had a BBQ night at the beach club! We met 2 crazy toddlers: Smasher and Blake. They were CRAZY! BRU. Dinner was good.
Day 4
There’s a wooden platform out in the sea by the beach club. And today, there were 4 paddle boards tied in a line. It was so fun running across them! After a break, we kayaked to Italy! Really, we kayaked across to an island owned by Italy. WOW! Then we went to a beach with little white rocks. It was really beautiful. Then we kayaked back for some ice cream. We went back to the pool and I met 2 nice girls. The parents went on a date night with a guest chef for a fancy dinner. We went to the tennis courts and had fun playing. I won the first tennis game! Then Lily, then we watched a movie. The parents met a bunch of Brits and had fun.
Day 5
This morning we went on a boat to a shipwreck! It was cool. Then we swam around in some cool blue water caves. We went back to the club, and the kids and dads went back to the sea platform. All the kids kept pushing the dads off. It was sooo fun! Then we had lunch.
Then us Norbergs went back to our pool and swam again and ate watermelon. Later, we got on a super fast and fun boat ride to a cool little restaurant. The food was really good, and we had baklava that wasn’t as good as Lea’s on the boat. Then some cards and gifts for me for my birthday, YAY! On the way back to the beach club on the really fast boat, Mom thought she saw bioluminescence! We all got really excited, but it turned out to be a light on the side of the boat. We all had a good laugh. It was hard to say goodbye to the Scoggins, but we had our next destination to go to!
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