This cave shot into prominence during the Second World Warbyvirtue of being a secret hideway for the submarine Papanikolis. The sheer magnitude ofhe cave is astounding. It is believed that the Papanikolis submarine would tuck up inside this mammoth cave after its blitzkriek on the Italian armada. First time visitors are in for an awesome experience and a whole new world of colors blue and gold can be seen on the parapets as well as the roof.
The awesome Papanikolis Cave is incidentally the second largest cave in the whole of Greece. Although it is not an authentic sea cave, rather it is a karst cave, and is presently partially inundated by the sea.
This cave was much preferred by the ships that would drop anchor inside the cave during spells of inclement weather. This cave could easily accommodate even large shipping vessels with their flagstaff.
Levkas in fact is but a contemporary alteration of the momentous name Leukas, which literally means the white. And the entire island is indeed white, when viewed from the Mediterranean Sea. This is due to the fact that a major part of the coastline is shaped out of white limestone cliffs. Papanikolis Cave happens to be located in one such white cliff, and is conspicuous by its massive gateway to the southwest.
The cave takes a right turn, just at the rear of the gateway and extends to the southeast. At the extreme end there is a miniature beach, and one can approach the beach on small sized boats and undertake leisurely beach strolls.
In the present times, there is one exclusive tour- The Mandalena, which conducts regular trips to the cave. It is a bathing trip really. It leaves at 10 A.M. and returns at 16:30 P.M.. The tour makes a round of Scorpio, which happens to be an upscale private island belonging to the celebrated Onasis family. Lunch is made available at Spartahori on the picturesque island of Meganisi.
Papanikolis Sea Cave on map
The photo from: www.1732.syzefxis.gov.gr
Papanikolis sea cave: Archaeologists are of the opinion that the Cave of Papanikolis used to be the hideaway of a submarine of the same name. It is replete with many caves. 
Links 
Back:
Lefkada Related:
