A correspondent did not rate the CO beaches on this island with the exception of
Gerakas. It looks unhopeful because of the number of beach umbrellas. But walk
half way down the beach (to your left) and pass the commercialised section, and
you're FREE. The two (clothes and not) halves merge seamlessly and there are no
hassles. It's simply lovely. A contributor who visited in May-June 2000 says
that there is an unofficial demarcation line where the clothes area ends and the
naturist area begins. No more than 20 folk at any one time took the opportunity
to swim and sunbathe nude, but my contributors were two of them and it was
wonderful. Certainly no hassle from anyone.
It must be said, however, that reports as to the suitability of the beach vary
enormously. I have had several reports from correspondents in peak season and
off season (including during 2002) who were disappointed to find no naturism
there at all. However in 2002 more and more people are sending in reports as to
its excellence for nudism.
It is clean and the water excellent for swimming and snorkelling. The naturist
contingent are found at both ends of the main beach but to the left of the main
sunshade area offers greater room. There were approx. 20 naturists on the beach
when my correspondents were there and these were undisturbed apart from a fruit
salad seller and volunteers from the Turtle preservation society who count nests
and hand out leaflets. They also ask beach users not to use sunshades on higher
parts of the beach (5m or more from the sea) - this is to avoid damaging the
turtle nests - amazingly this was ignored by some people. If naturists can't be
trusted to be responsible beach users, who can??!! The Captain agrees ...
A report from June 2001 says the beach was every bit as good as last year with
the far end to the left (beyond the bed chairs and umbrellas) ideal for nude
sunbathing and swimming. At any time during the day this stretch of beach had no
more than about 10 other naturist couples, and more Brits than last year. No
hassle from anyone whatsoever. My correspondent gave it a rare 100% rating.
Another email reports 10 naturist couples on the left side of the bay in June
2001.
Several reports from 2002 indicate that the beach continues to be wonderful. One
correspondents says that after heading left from the main sloped entrance, they
fount their first naturist after 2/300 metres. The beach was then largely
naturist from thereon i.e. for another 200 metres approx. It varied over the 5
days, but on average there were 10 to 15 groups of naturists there (another
report from June 2002 said up to 20 couples). The atmosphere was very friendly
with, unusually, a fair few British naturists and they struck up several
conversations with both them and our Continental friends. There were, however, 2
or 3 obvious voyeurs over their time there who came up for a fairly blatant
gawp.
A report from June 2003 says there was a small nude area on far left of beach,
but mainly textiles. Doesn't seem to be any cut off point.
And in July 2003, Gerakas beach was well populated on the far left hand side
with a good mixture of naturists. Mostly male and female couples, occasionally
lone males, and occasionally lone females.
Barefooters in July 2004 were, for two days, the first to take the plunge and go
naked and, hey presto, within minutes other like-minded souls appeared to create
a naturist section. It really is a lovely spot for both sunbathing and swimming
au naturel - as long as you can put up with the sightseers!
In June 2004 a Barefoot reporter and his girlfriend spent a blissful 2 weeks on
Zakynthos and spent much of their time naked on Gerakas. As you walk down the
path. the far area to the left past the umbrellas was always nude. There was a
tree trunk that seemed to serve as some kind of demarcation line although some
families with kids started earlier some days. Perhaps around 12 couples of all
ages with approx. 4 of them as families, and a couple of singles.
Textiles stroll up the beach, in the main to coat themselves with the local
"healing" mud, but no problems were experienced.
The beach is gently sloping sand (why the turtles nest here) which is perfect
for young families.
A local woman selling great bowls of fresh fruit salad had no problem serving
the naked.
It's not too much of a hike for amenities, but you need to take provisions for
the day. Having said that, Yannis' bar at the top of the path, is probably the
coolest on the island and the perfect place to sit out the ferocious midday sun
The views are stunning and the complete absence of water sports, due to the
turtles, a delight.
In the second week of June 2005 Gerakas was the best beach for nudism. Mostly
about 10-15 couples of British and continental origin, anything between 20-70
years of age. All were very friendly, no problems at all. It was at the far left
side, after passing sunbeds section (all with clothes, most females topless), a
short free section and after a kind of invisible borderline (there were some
small rocks) there was the nudist section. Perfect water, clear, fine sand, no
rocks, nice temperature. No beach bar, but very friendly taverna and bar with
excellent food within 10 minutes near parking.
In June 2006, both on the right as on the far end on the left there were plenty
of nudists. There were couples, single men and woman as well as women in pairs.
It was beautiful there. Especially on the left side of the beach. However
another report from the same month says there were no naturists at all.
This appears to be one of those beaches where naturists (except the most
determined) get squeezed out in peak season. A report from August 2005 said this
beach was quite disappointing. The first time there were only a few nudist. An
unofficial demarcation line didn't practically exist so that the nudists had to
go all the way to the end of the beach where the rocks are. It was impossible to
sit under the beach umbrella (the wind was blowing and it kept on falling down)
as well as pretty uncomfortable to lay down because of the stones. The sea was,
though, very nice and clean. The second time my reporters went there (early in
the morning) there were more nudists at first. But as those who were clothed
decided to stay on that part of the beach some nudists decided either to put on
their bathing suits and trunks or to leave. In the end my contributor and her
husband were the only ones at the imaginary demarcation line. Two young men (not
nudist) went for a walk along the beach and when they saw us naked decided to
stay near us. We didn't feel comfortable so we decided to leave the beach.
One Barefooter, having been several times before out of season, was very
disappointed to find so many over-dressed people on this lovely (albeit shallow)
beach in August 2005. He stripped off anyway towards the far end, didn't feel
totally comfortable, was almost alone in so doing, and could not persuade his
lady partner to follow suit. However, they then went back underneath the
headland (far right as you descend the track) and while nudity was a lot easier,
in fact totally, finding any sand was a problem.
A report from July 2006 confirms this beach is still CO at its southern end,
though there were not many naturists there. However, it is probably the only CO
beach on the island that can easily be reached by public transport - take the
bus from Zakynthos to Vassilikos and an easy walk for the final kilometre. Be
prepared to stand on the bus as it's oversubscribed in the summer with local
people going to Porto Roma!
At the foot of the cliffs at the end of the beach are reserves of (grey) clay,
which you can scoop up by the handful if you dig down under the sand. This can
then be smeared all over the body - apparently it is locally revered (and
expensive too!) as an all-round cure-all for skin conditions before it is washed
off.
One point of note is to only walk down the wet shoreline to avoid ANY possible
conflict with the turtle nests and to look for any disturbed sand when laying
out your towels. The guys do a great job of marking the nests near the entrance
but less so up the beach. In June 2006, apparently no personal beach parasols
were being allowed (possibly because a thoughtless few were ignoring the rule
stating that parasols with spikes were only to be used close to high tide mark).
