Wildlife· Zakynthos· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic
Laganas Bay Turtles (National Marine Park)
37° 41.8′ N · 20° 53.9′ E
Laganas Bay is the most important loggerhead turtle nesting area in the Mediterranean: about 1,200 nests a year on average, with a record 2,350 by late August 2024. Turtles are often seen at the surface anywhere in the bay in summer.
Practical
Six nesting beaches total about 5.5 km: Marathonisi, East Laganas, Kalamaki, Sekania, Dafni and Gerakas (ARCHELON). ARCHELON's turtle-watching code, endorsed by the park: no more than 2 boats watching one turtle at a time, under 2 knots while watching, all other boats at least 45 m away, approach from the side, stay 15 m from the animal, watch for 10 minutes at most in silence, never feed, touch or swim with turtles. Keep to the 6-knot speed limit and stay out of the 'no-go' Zone A. Many tripper boats ignore these rules; Wikivoyage advises against turtle-spotting tours that chase animals. Best chance of sightings from May to early July (Wikivoyage). Marine park rules (SailingIssues, zanteisland.com, ARCHELON), in force 1 May–31 October: Zone A – no entry, mooring or anchoring, marked by yellow circular buoys 75 m apart; Zone B – entry allowed at 6 knots maximum, no mooring or anchoring; Zone C – 6 knots maximum, anchoring allowed, conical buoys 150 m apart. No spearfishing anywhere in the park.
Best for
Seeing loggerhead turtles in the wild, responsibly
Season
May–Aug nesting; turtles present most of the summer
Nearby
- Zakynthos National Marine Park Zones0.7 NM away
- Marathonisi (Turtle Island)1.5 NM away
- Marathonisi Dive Site (Turtle Island)1.6 NM away
- Zakynthos Dive Sites (Keri, Marathonisi)1.6 NM away
- Agios Sostis & Lithakia Beach Bars1.9 NM away
- Agios Sostis Harbour1.9 NM away
- Cameo Island1.9 NM away
- Kalamaki & East Laganas Anchoring Ban (Nesting Beaches)2.1 NM away