Zakynthos is not so much an island for children; the water park there is small and rather hard to get to as compared to that in Corfu. Most resorts there are relatively low-key and tourist booths are more likely to offer excursions to neighboring islands or the Greek mainland rather than concentrating on Zakynthos' beauty. This is a shame, because it is still an island where mountainside villages and hidden coves await discovery by the discerning traveller-- it is well worth hiring a car, though beware of the sometimes treacherous mountain roads.
Round the Island - due to the small size of the island, it is perfectly possible to drive a complete lap of the island, stopping at some interesting places on the way. For example, starting at Zakynthos town, drive north along the coast road and visit Tsilivi, continue past Alykes and Alykanes. On the east coast road the scenery gets more impressive as you climb towards the mountains. This road then drops into the picturesque resort of Agios Nikolaos. From there you traverse the north coast passing Navagio aka shipwreck and the viewing platform and Volimes in the mountains where local arts and crafts can be bought. Then to the west coast travelling south the bay of Limnionas is extremely pretty, quiet with just a taverna that serves excellent food. Further south from there you have Kampi with stunning clifftop views and eventually Keri lighthouse with more stunning views, especially at sunset.
Scuba Diving - although like the rest of Greece the area is devoid of much fish life due to massive overfishing the south of the island has a few decent sites such as "The Arch" and Keri Caves. Numerous dive operators run out of Laganas, Keri and elsewhere.
Turtle spotting - The endangered loggerhead turtle uses the beaches for its nesting, and a marine reserve has been established in the south around the Laganas bay area to protect these although it appears to be completely ignored outside tourist season! Many outfits in Laganas, Kalamaki and even Vassilikos offer short or full day trips including swim stops to look for these turtles. You stand the best chance of seeing them between May and early July, with the numbers decreasing after this.
In case you are interested in Greek modern history, visit the Dionysios Solomos museum in Zaknthos Town, dedicated to the national poet of the Greeks, who wrote the nation's national anthem.
Relax on a beach - probably the most popular pastime on Zakynthos!
Base Jumping - From 2011 the extreme sport base jump take's place in Zante island. Professionals base jumpers come to Navagio beach also known Shipwreck each year to jump with a parachutte from the 200meters rocks and clifs.
Don't:
Zakynthos is home to the endangered loggerhead turtle. These shy, gentle creatures nest in the south of the island during the spring and summer months, but their numbers are threatened of late, and one of the biggest culprits is undoubtedly mass tourism. Eggs that have been laid on the beaches of Laganas and Kalamaki have in the past been smashed by deck chairs or dug up by children; turtles have been killed on Zakynthos roads after having been disoriented by the bright neon lights of the bars they mistake for the moon by which they navigate their way to the sea. Thankfully, the Greek authorities are placing emphasis on protecting the turtles with signs and volunteers reminding tourists on the beaches of their duty to respect the turtles and stay away from them.
That said, several unscrupulous firms on the island run "turtle tours", whereupon a tourist can pay to take a boat ride to "spot" the turtles-- this is not a good idea. The turtles are easily distressed by this intrusion, and this has a knock-on effect on their breeding and hence is contributing to the threat to their very survival.
