Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on October 5, 2023
Porto Limnionas is a picturesque, narrow inlet in Zakynthos western coast. It is a rocky snorkel site with small caves, walls, overhangs, and lots of boulders. There’s not much big fish to see, but the seabed is covered with sponges, colonial yellow polyps and colorful starfish.
Porto Limnionas is located in the midwest part of Zakynthos, an area characterized by high cliffs addressing the east side of the Ionian Sea. There is a large parking lot overlooking the creek. To reach the water, simply go down the stairs to the left of the viewpoint restaurant and bar (Porto Limnionas Tavern).
Water entrance is from the rocks at the foot of the stairs.
Porto Limnionas is a narrow, almost enclosed rocky inlet. At the water entrance point at the bottom of the stairs, the depth is less than 6 feet/2 meters. Entering the water, you will be surrounded by several small caves (see map above).
Some of the caves have freshwater springs in them that meet the sea water and separate it into two bodies of water: the upper, colder, less saline water, and the lower warmer sea water, making snorkeling there an interesting experience.
Approaching the entrance to the cove, the depth reaches up to 50 feet / 15 meters. There are also a few small caves and mesmerizing rock formations on both sides of the entrance. The small caves have lots of colorful stationary marine invertebrates like sponges, ascidians, and bryozoans.
The purple sea star, probably the most beautiful starfish species in the Mediterranean, is a common sight at Porto Limnionas. Many small fish find refuge in this small enclosed port, and it is likely to encounter them in large groups.
The cove has almost no waves and currents due to its protected formation from the open sea. Snorkelers should be aware of swimmers and beachgoers who may jump from the surrounding cliffs into the port waters.
Also, yachts might use this location for anchoring so it is important to stay visible (take a dive flag if you exit the swimming area) and keep eye contact with any boats.
There is a tavern next to the parking lot overlooking the inlet.
These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
