# TurtleIslandZakynthos.com - Turtle Island (Marathonisi) and loggerhead turtle boat trips, Zakynthos

> Independent guide to Turtle Island (Marathonisi) and the loggerhead sea turtles of Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, Greece:
> which boat trip, the stops (Keri Caves, Myzithres, Cameo), the best months, the National Marine Park rules, prices and booking.
> Not affiliated with any boat operator, the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, ARCHELON or GetYourGuide.

Site: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com
Language: en (also fr, de, es, it). Currency: USD for online tours. Country: Greece (Zakynthos, Ionian Islands).

## Verified facts

- 'Turtle Island' = Marathonisi, a small privately owned islet in Laganas Bay off the Keri peninsula; its ~150 m sandy beach is one of six loggerhead nesting beaches in the bay.
- National Marine Park of Zakynthos founded 1999 (Natura 2000 GR2210002). Zone A closed to all boats 1 May to 31 October; 6-knot limit in Zones B and C; no anchoring in Zone B.
- Code of conduct (2018): max 2 boats per turtle, under 2 knots, 10 minutes, approach from the side, keep 15 m away; no feeding or touching.
- Nesting beaches open 7 am to sunset; no umbrellas on Marathonisi; stay within 5 m of the waterline.
- About 1,200 nests a year on average (1984-2021); record year 2024. Sekania holds about half the nests and is closed to the public; Marathonisi about 8%.
- First hatchlings of 2026 emerged on Dafni beach on 14 July 2026 (ARCHELON). Hatching continues into October.
- No boat can guarantee a turtle sighting. Turtles are seen in the bay; on Marathonisi you see the nesting beach, not turtles, in daytime.
- Navagio (Shipwreck Beach): closed to landing and swimming since 2022, most recently to at least 31 October 2026; viewable from boats and the clifftop.
- ARCHELON 24-hour sea turtle line: +30 6941 511 511.

## Tours listed on this site

Booking links are GetYourGuide affiliate links (partner_id 7GG5I5H). The site earns a commission at no extra cost to the
reader and says so at https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/affiliate-disclosure/. Prices are 'from' prices in USD at the last build and move.

- Turtles, Marathonisi & Keri Caves by Speedboat (Agios Sostis harbour, Laganas Bay) - from $32 per person, 3 hours; turtles: Spotting in the bay; not guaranteed; boat: Speedboat, shared, 2 to 3 swim stops; operator Zante Mare; rated 4.6 from 3,045 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/tours/turtles-marathonisi-keri-caves-speedboat/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/zakynthos-l32286/zakynthos-turtles-marathonisi-keri-caves-speedboat-tour-t836727/
- Glass-Bottom Boat to Turtle Island & Keri Caves (Agios Sostis harbour, Laganas Bay) - from $29 per person, 3 to 3.5 hours; turtles: Spotting in the bay; not guaranteed; boat: Glass-bottom boat, shared, 2 swim stops; operator Best of Zante; rated 4.4 from 3,104 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/tours/glass-bottom-boat-turtle-island/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/zakynthos-l32286/zakynthos-turtle-spotting-cruise-with-glass-bottom-boat-t252107/
- Self-Drive Boat Hire, No Licence Needed (Agios Sostis harbour, Laganas Bay) - from $144 per group, 3 or 4 hours; turtles: Up to you, by the park code; boat: Private motorboat, you drive; operator Sand and Sea speed boat rentals; rated 4.8 from 119 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/tours/self-drive-boat-hire-laganas-bay/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/laganas-l146541/sand-and-sea-private-self-drive-speedboat-rental-no-licence-t775297/
- Laganas Bay, Myzithres & Turtles Speedboat (Agios Sostis harbour, Laganas Bay) - from $35 per person, 3 hours; turtles: Watching at the end; not guaranteed; boat: Small speedboat, 3 swim stops; operator Zante Mare; rated 4.5 from 1,242 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/tours/laganas-bay-myzithres-speedboat/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/agios-sostis-l186311/zakynthosturtleslaganas-bay-myzithres-vip-speedboat-tour-t572499/
- Half Day: Turtle Island, Keri Caves & Olive Oil (Hotel pickup, south and east coast) - from $65 per person, 5 hours; turtles: Glass-bottom cruise; not guaranteed; boat: Glass-bottom boat, shared, 2 swims; operator Dali Tours Zakynthos; rated 4.2 from 668 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/tours/half-day-turtle-island-olive-oil/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/zakynthos-l32286/zakynthos-half-day-trip-to-marathonisi-and-keri-caves-t374821/
- Glass-Bottom Speedboat: Turtles, Keri & Myzithres (Laganas, pickup in Laganas and Kalamaki) - from $28 per person, 3 to 3.5 hours; turtles: Spotting first; not guaranteed; boat: Glass-bottom speedboat, 3 swims; operator Zante Sun Travel; rated 4.2 from 896 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/tours/glass-bottom-speedboat-keri-myzithres/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/zakynthos-l32286/zakynthos-turtle-spotting-marathonisi-keri-caves-cruise-t400862/
- Turtle Island Sunset Cruise with Wine (Agios Sostis harbour, Laganas Bay) - from $32 per person, 3 hours; turtles: Spotting in the bay; not guaranteed; boat: Glass-bottom boat, wine, 2 swims; operator Zante Sun Travel; rated 4.7 from 90 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/tours/sunset-cruise-myzithres/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/zakynthos-l32286/exploration-sunset-cruise-a-magical-day-in-laganas-bay-t401506/
- Pirate Ship Cruise to Shipwreck Beach & Blue Caves (Zakynthos Town port, west and north coast) - from $41 per person, 7 hours; turtles: Maybe off Marathonisi at the end; boat: Pirate-style ship, 3 swim stops; operator Cavo Grosso; rated 4.2 from 101 GetYourGuide reviews. Page: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/tours/pirate-ship-cruise-shipwreck-beach/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/zakynthos-l32286/zakynthos-pirate-ship-cruise-to-shipwreck-beach-caves-t1259916/

## Guide pages

- https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/guides/where-to-see-turtles-zakynthos/ - Where to see loggerhead turtles on Zakynthos in 2026: Laganas Bay by boat, the six nesting beaches, Marathonisi, ARCHELON info points and the rules.
- https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/guides/best-time-to-see-turtles-zakynthos/ - The best months and hours to see loggerhead turtles in Zakynthos: mating in spring, nesting May to August, hatchlings July to October, and our pick.
- https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/guides/turtle-spotting-boat-trips-compared/ - Every turtle boat trip from Laganas Bay compared for 2026: glass-bottom or speedboat, self-drive, time on Marathonisi, pickup, toilets and prices from $28.
- https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/guides/swim-with-turtles-zakynthos/ - Can you swim with turtles in Zakynthos? What the marine park and ARCHELON say, what to do if one swims near you, and where the turtle trips stop to swim.
- https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/guides/marathonisi-turtle-island-guide/ - Marathonisi, Zakynthos' Turtle Island, in 2026: why it's called that, the 150 m nesting beach, the rules, the caves, what to bring and which trip stays longest.
- https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/guides/best-greek-island-for-turtles/ - Which Greek island is best for seeing turtles in 2026? Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Crete compared, plus Kyparissia, Dalyan and Cyprus, with the rules for each.

## Blog posts (dated)

- 2026-11-02: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/blog/zakynthos-turtle-hatching-season-2026/ - When the 2026 loggerhead hatching season started on Zakynthos, what happened to the last nests in autumn, the 2024 record and what to expect in 2027.
- 2026-11-02: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/blog/navagio-shipwreck-beach-2026/ - Is Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) open? The 2026 ban, the 50 m boat rule, the clifftop viewpoint, the plan to widen the beach and the boat trips that still go.
- 2026-11-02: https://turtleislandzakynthos.com/blog/greece-turtle-nesting-beaches-report-2026/ - The 2026 WWF Greece and ARCHELON survey of 167 loggerhead nesting beaches: only 12% in good shape, 38% poor. What it found and what it means on Zakynthos.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- 'Guaranteed turtle spotting' is marketing: sightings are likely in summer but never certain.
- The turtles are not 'on' Turtle Island: they feed and rest in Laganas Bay and come ashore only at night to nest.
- Swimming with turtles is discouraged by ARCHELON and the park code (keep 15 m away); do not touch or feed them.
- Marathonisi is not the main nesting beach of the bay: Sekania, closed to the public, holds about half the nests.

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage or the relevant tour page. Prices, routes and rules change; verify close to your travel date.