We didn’t travel to Zakynthos only because of the sea turtles.
But once we arrived, I was naturally curious.
Would we actually see one?
The answer was yes.
And not in an aquarium or behind glass.
A sea turtle swam right next to our boat.
It was one of those brief moments that stays with you.
Caretta caretta is not a tourist attraction
The loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, returns to Zakynthos to lay its eggs.
The southern part of the island, particularly the Laganas Bay area, is one of the important nesting areas.
And that changes the way you look at the beaches.
A beach isn’t simply a place for tourists to put down their towels.
For a turtle, it can be the place where its next generation begins.
That’s why there are rules and restrictions on some beaches during the nesting season.
And I think that’s exactly how it should be.
We are visitors here.
The turtles were here first.
Gerakas – one of the important nesting beaches
Gerakas Beach was one of the places we visited.
It is beautiful – soft sand, clear water and a lovely setting.
But its most important feature isn’t the one you see in photographs.
Gerakas is an important nesting beach for Caretta caretta.
Visitors therefore have to follow specific rules designed to protect the turtles and their nests.
For me, that added something to the experience.
Instead of thinking only about how beautiful the beach was, I started paying attention to the fact that this place has another purpose.
It isn’t just ours to enjoy.
Marathonisi – Turtle Island
We also visited Marathonisi by boat.
The island is known as Turtle Island because its shape resembles a turtle.
It lies within the protected area of the Zakynthos National Marine Park and is connected with the conservation of Caretta caretta.
There are small beaches and wonderfully clear water, but visitors need to respect the protected areas and any restrictions in place.
The island itself is beautiful.
But for me, the journey there was just as memorable.
Seeing Marathonisi from the sea, surrounded by that intense blue water, made the whole experience feel rather special.
And then we actually saw one
Of course, during our boat trip we were hoping to spot a turtle.
We waited.
Nothing.
We looked around.
Still nothing.
At one point I started wondering whether the turtles had been informed about our arrival and decided to take the day off.
And then one appeared.
Right next to the boat.
It surfaced and swam alongside us for a moment before disappearing again.
It wasn’t a long encounter.
There was no dramatic movie soundtrack.
And I certainly didn’t manage to capture a perfect photograph.
But I didn’t really care.
I had seen a wild sea turtle in its natural environment.
That was enough.
Where should you look for turtles in Zakynthos?
The southern part of the island is the place to focus on, particularly the Laganas Bay area and protected nesting beaches such as Gerakas.
A boat trip along the southern coast and around Marathonisi can also give you the opportunity to see turtles in the water.
But there is one thing I would keep in mind.
Don’t go looking for a turtle as if it owes you a performance.
If you see one, you’re lucky.
If you don’t, you are still on one of the most beautiful Greek islands, surrounded by the sea where these animals have been returning for generations.
And perhaps that is the best way to experience Zakynthos.
With a little patience.
A little respect.
And without expecting nature to perform on demand.
Want to explore Zakynthos on your own?
Discover my personal Zakynthos itinerary with beautiful beaches, places connected with Caretta caretta turtles, and some of the island’s less-known spots.
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