The Mizithres Sunset Cruise

Mizithres is the pair of rock pinnacles that rise from the sea off the Keri coast on the southwest of Zakynthos, and every sunset cruise on this side of the island aims for them. In the late afternoon the boat leaves the south coast, rounds the Keri peninsula and slows as the cliffs turn gold and then rose. The sea stacks catch the last light, the water goes glassy, and passengers drift in the calm with a drink while the sun slides toward the horizon. The cliffs behind the stacks are pale, layered limestone, and at this hour they glow in a way that the midday light never produces. Most sunset cruises are relaxed rather than rushed. They include a swim stop in a sheltered bay, sometimes a glass of wine or a small aperitif, and a slow return as the sky changes colour. The experience is quieter than the daytime boat trips because most operators run only one or two departures, and many people book it as the highlight of a couple's holiday or a final evening on the island.

Sunset timing is the whole game. In summer the sun drops late, so the cruise may start in the evening and return in the dark, while in spring and autumn the departure is earlier and the sea is often calmer. Check the operator's schedule and ask when the boat will be at Mizithres, because the stacks look best in the half hour before the sun reaches the horizon, and a late departure can mean arriving in flat grey light.

Pick the style of trip that suits you. A small boat gives intimacy and lets the skipper move close to the cliffs, but it can be bouncy. A bigger boat or a catamaran is steadier, has shade and a bar, and works better for families and groups. Some operators sell a party-style evening with music, which is fun but changes the mood, so read the description carefully if you want a quiet romantic trip. Private charters offer more control over the route and timing, at a much higher cost.

Combine the cruise with the land side of the same sunset. The Keri lighthouse and the clifftop viewpoints near Keri village face the same direction and are free to visit, so you can watch one sunset from the sea one night and from the headland another. Many visitors have an early dinner at a taverna in Keri or Laganas before boarding, or a late meal afterwards, but check the return time before booking a table. Bring a light jacket, because the sea air cools quickly after dark, and a camera with a night mode.

The paid product below is a shared sunset cruise to Mizithres, which is the simplest way to see the stacks at their best. Book at least a few days ahead in July and August, when the best departures sell out, and confirm whether swimming is included so you can bring a swimsuit.