Diagram by Greece Trips. Free to reuse with credit - CC BY 4.0.
The other, on the north coast, takes in the blue caves and Navagio. Different end of the island, different day.
What the trip is
Small boats leave through the morning and afternoon from Limni Keriou. The standard run:
- Along the base of the cliffs, into and under arches where the boat fits.
- Stops to swim in water that is deep, cold and startlingly clear.
- Often a pass through Marathonisi, the turtle-shaped islet in Laganas bay, which our Marathonisi page covers.
Boats are small, which is the point: they can enter openings a bigger vessel cannot. It also means the sea decides whether the trip runs.
Timing
Morning trips are calmer, because the wind usually builds through the day, and light inside the caves is better with the sun higher. If the swell is up, operators cancel or shorten the route rather than push into the caves, which is the correct call and worth respecting.
The cape above
Keri village sits on the hill above the harbour, and the lighthouse at the cape is a separate drive with one of the best sunset views on the island, out over open sea. The two together, boat in the morning and the cape in the evening, make a full day in the island’s south.
Practical notes
- Take a towel and water shoes: swim stops are off the boat into deep water.
- Sun cover. There is often no canopy on the smallest boats.
- Motion sickness: the cliffs are worth it, but a small boat in swell is a small boat in swell.
- Cash is still normal for these operators.
Last checked August 2026. Boat operators, routes and prices are seasonal - see our editorial policy.
Common questions
Where do boats to the Keri caves leave from?
From Limni Keriou, the small harbour below Keri village at the southern end of Zakynthos.
How long is a Keri caves boat trip?
Trips vary by operator, from a short cliff run to a half day that includes swim stops and a pass by Marathonisi.
Are the Keri caves the same as the blue caves?
No. The blue caves are on the north coast near Cape Skinari; the Keri caves are under the southern cape, and each has its own boats.
Can you swim at the Keri caves?
Yes, most trips include swim stops in deep, clear water off the boat rather than from a beach.
When do the boats not run?
When the sea is rough. Operators cancel or shorten routes in swell, and morning departures are usually the calmest.
Next
Read things to do in Zakynthos, the blue caves, or Marathonisi.
