Σπηλια Παπανικολη

Papanikolís Cave - The Cave


Useful Information

Location: At the southern coast of Lefkáda, near Porós. Accessible only by boat, 45 min from Nýdri.
Open: No restrictions.
Fee: Cave free.
Fee for the boat: Mandalena (daytrip): per Person EUR 10.
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave Speleologysea cave.
Light: not necessary
Dimension: L=120 m, W=60 m. Entrance: W=60 m, Height=20 m.
Guided tours: n/a
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Blue Sea Lines, Mandalena, Nidri, Lefkas, Tel: +30-645-92387.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Papanikolís Cave is the second largest sea cave of Greece. It is not a pure sea cave, but a karst cave, which is now partly flooded by the sea and which is widened by the erosive power of the sea.

This huge cave was always a safe harbour for ships in case of a storm. It was large enough, even for sailing ships with their masts. And it was used as a base by the Greek submarine Papanikolís, which gave the cave its name.

Levkás is a modern modification of the historic name Leukas, meaning "the white". And this island is really white, if seen from the Mediterranean Sea, as most of the costline is formed of white limestone cliffs. Papanikolís Cave is located in such a white cliff, with the huge portal to the soutwest.

The cave makes a right turn, just behind the portal and heads to the southeast. At the end of the cave is a small beach, and it is possible to land with small boats and walk around.

At the moment there is one tour which regularly visits the cave. The Mandalena makes a daily bathing trip called island hopping. It starts at 10 and returns at 16:30. The tour includes several bathing stops, a circle around Scorpio, the private island of the Onasis family and lunch at Spartahori on the island Meganisi. One stop is bathing at the cave. The small ship goes far into the cave but does not land.

There might be other possibilities to visit the cave. Especially there should be the possibility to charter a boat for a cave visit. A small motor boat needs 45 min from Nidri to the cave.