What you can hire
Small self-drive motorboats are the usual choice for friends going out for a few hours. One Zante operator lists motorboats of about 5 to 5.6 metres that carry 6 to 8 people, and says no licence is needed for them.[2] Booking platforms also list skippered boats, RIBs, sailboats, catamarans and yachts, with listings for boats without a licence starting at about £100 a day.[1]
Always check the licence rules for the exact boat with the owner or operator, because the rules depend on the boat and the listing.[1]
What it costs
Prices vary a lot by boat and season. Across Zakynthos, a day's hire is listed from roughly £88 to over £500, with motorboats from about £120 a day, RIBs from £200 and catamarans from £550.[1] For the self-drive motorboats above, a reviewer paid €100 for 3 hours plus fuel, and fuel is usually around €40 for 3 hours and paid on site. A skipper is about €40 for up to 3 hours, with extra hours charged on top.[2]
Fuel is often not included, so ask what the quoted price covers. Life jackets, a cool box, a music box, a spare engine and shade are listed as included on the boats above.[2]
Where boats leave from
For the Laganas area, the operator above leaves from the port of Agios Sostis and asks you to arrive 15 minutes before your booked time. Other marinas named on booking sites include Zakynthos Port, Agios Nikolaos Port and Porto Vromi.[1][2]
Where to go
- Marathonisi (Turtle Island): a small islet in Laganas Bay, inside the National Marine Park, known as a loggerhead turtle nesting site.[1][3]
- Keri Caves: reached by boat from the Laganas side.[1][2]
- Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) and the Blue Caves: only reachable by sea, and listed as guided boat tours.[3]
With the self-drive boats above, you need a skipper if you want to leave Laganas Bay.[2]
Season
Boat hire sites call May to October the best season, with July and August the hottest and busiest.[1] Late May is the start of the season, so book ahead and confirm availability for your dates.
Staying safe on a boat
Do not drink and drive a boat, wear your life jacket, bring sun cream and water, and tell someone on shore your plan. Follow the operator's briefing, and keep to the areas they allow.[2]
Trick Zante's rep team can book speedboats and excursions for you in resort, so ask them for current options and prices.
Sources
- Click&Boat: boat hire in Zakynthosclickandboat.com ↗
- CheckYeti: self-drive boat rental from Agios Sostis (Best of Zante Boats)checkyeti.com ↗
- Greeka: things to do in Zakynthosgreeka.com ↗
Written from public sources on 27 October 2026. Prices, hours and rules change each season, so check with the operator or your rep. Trick Zante is a package holiday organiser, and the venues and operators mentioned are run by their own organisers.