Which Zakynthos Turtle Trip Is Right for You?
| Trip | Type | Group size | Best for | Rating | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtles, Marathonisi & Keri Caves speedboat | Speedboat | Group | The classic, most booked | 4.6★ | $29 | Check → |
| Turtle spotting glass-bottom boat | Glass-bottom | Group | Families & non-swimmers | 4.5★ | $29 | Check → |
| Laganas Bay & Myzithres VIP speedboat | Speedboat | Small | Smaller group, swim stops | 4.6★ | $34 | Check → |
| Laganas Bay snorkeling adventure | Snorkel | Small | Time in the water | New | $49 | Check → |
| Turtle spotting boat trip | Boat | Group | Cheapest, short trip | 4.7★ | $16 | Check → |
Sea Turtle Species & Best Months in Zakynthos, Greece
| Species | January–March | April–June | July–September | October–December | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loggerhead Turtle | Offshore | Arriving | Common | Departing | Summer only |
Zakynthos is all about the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), a large, amber-shelled species that nests on the beaches of Laganas Bay. This is one of the Mediterranean's most important loggerhead rookeries, protected as a National Marine Park. The turtles are present from late spring through autumn and are almost never seen in winter, when they move to deeper water. Follow the park rules, keep your distance, and never touch a turtle or approach a nesting beach after dark.
Sea Turtle Behaviors to Watch For
Feeding in the Bay
Loggerheads feed on the seagrass and shellfish of shallow Laganas Bay, where boats spot them surfacing between dives.
Summer days
Surfacing to Breathe
A loggerhead rises to breathe every few minutes to an hour, the moment most turtles are spotted from the boat.
Throughout the trip
Nesting on the Beaches
Females haul out at night from June to August to nest on Laganas and Marathonisi beaches, which are closed or restricted after dark to protect them.
Jun–Aug, at night
Hatchlings to the Sea
Eggs hatch from August into October, and hatchlings make for the sea at night. They are protected and viewed only under guidance, never handled.
Aug–Oct
What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)
✓ Bring
- Reef-safe (oxybenzone-free) sunscreen
- Swimsuit worn under your clothes
- A hat, sunglasses and plenty of water
- Towel and a change of clothes
- Waterproof phone case or GoPro for boat shots
- Motion-sickness tablet if you are prone
- Your booking voucher (printed or phone)
✗ Leave at home
- Any urge to touch, chase or feed a turtle
- Regular sunscreen (harmful to the bay)
- Single-use plastics
- Plans to visit nesting beaches after dark
Seasickness tip: Laganas Bay is sheltered and the trips are short, so seasickness is uncommon. On a faster speedboat or a windy day, take a tablet the night before if you are prone.
Where Tours Depart From
| Port / Area | Details | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Laganas | The main resort on the bay, with the widest choice of turtle boat trips. | Boat and glass-bottom spotting trips |
| Agios Sostis / Keri | Small harbours at the south end of the bay, close to Marathonisi and the Keri Caves. | Speedboat trips and the caves |
Zakynthos has its own airport with summer flights from across Europe, a short drive from Laganas. The turtle trips leave from Laganas, Agios Sostis and Keri on the south coast, all within easy reach of the resorts around the bay.
How to Choose an Ethical Tour
What ethical operators do
- Brief a strict no-touch, no-chase policy
- Keep a respectful distance from turtles
- Never block a turtle’s path to the surface
- Require reef-safe sunscreen from all guests
- Cap group sizes for calmer encounters
- Support reef and sea-turtle conservation
Red flags to avoid
- Let guests touch, ride, or chase turtles
- Feed turtles to lure them in
- Crowd or corner a turtle in the water
- Stand on coral or trample seagrass
- Oversized groups with no guide in the water
- Any “hold a turtle” photo op
