How to spot Loggerhead Turtles in Zante

One of the most popular Ionian islands with British tourists. Renowned for its beautiful beaches, wild party nights and infamous shipwreck beach. But did you know about the nesting place for almost 1,800 loggerhead turtles in Zante each year? The beautiful Caretta Caretta turtles return year after year, just like the British tourists!

Of course, we shouldn’t get too close to these beautiful creatures, but that doesn’t mean we can’t admire them from a distance. Along Kalamaki beach, during the summer months, you can’t help but spot the nests. A group of volunteers mark them out to keep them protected. It’s certainly encouraging to see!

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

It’s almost impossible to miss the connection between Zante and the Loggerhead turtles. The turtles are known as Caretta Caretta. There are hotels called Caretta. There’s even a beach called Caretta Caretta Beach. Every single souvenir store has lots of turtle-themed items too! But if you want to see a real-life turtle, where are the best places to see them?

In every resort, you will find a handful of day trip operators. They all offer very similar trips, and you can be sure that each one will have a glass-bottom boat tour! They make for a great way to see more of the island and learn a little. On our very first visit to Zante way back in 2014 we did a great one. Even though it was right at the beginning of the season (Early May) we still spotted a couple of turtles. Our trip involved a stop for refreshments on Turtle Island too. It wasn’t even a full-day tour but we learned loads about the Loggerhead turtles in Zante and their nesting habits.

Kayaking

Head out on your own. At the height of the season, kayaks are available to hire on the main beaches. Opt for a kayak on a calm day and head out to sea. The beaches near Kalamaki and Laganas are the best for spotting but it’s not unheard of to find them near the other resorts.

A pedalo trip

Ok… It’s not too far removed from kayaking but it’s a great family option! As a family of 5, we’ve done many pedalo trips and not too many kayaking trips. The fact that we can share the pedalling duties and no one is likely to lose an oar makes it much more family-friendly in my eyes. Pedalling out of Kalamaki we’ve spotted turtles fairly close to the shore. Don’t miss the chance. It costs around €20 for an hour’s hire in the summer and is well worth it. We’ve been on cars, dragons, swans and bog-standard pedalos. Fun no matter what the ride!

Turtle Island in Zante

If you don’t fancy boat trips, a water taxi is a quicker way to head over to Marathonisi. In the Bay of Laganas, this island is easily distinguished by its shape. From a distance, the popular nesting ground for the loggerheads looks like a turtle. It does get a little crowded here so the best experience may not be had at the height of a busy season. But it’s highly worth the trip.

The bonus of a water taxi is that you can choose just how long you wish to stay. An hour out in the water looking for turtles followed by a refreshment might be enough one day. On another day you could be intending to stay all day long. If you do intend to stay for a full day, I’d recommend taking your parasol as there aren’t any on the island. The taxis are a flexible way to get over to the island.

Spotting Loggerhead Turtles in Zante

OK, so there’s no 100% guarantee of seeing Loggerhead turtles in Zante. But the chances are pretty high. Remember that the turtles are protected and should be viewed at a distance. You can learn more about the conservation of the Zakynthos National Marine Park.

Have fun viewing the turtles, and hunting for them. They are so beautiful to see in the wild, you may even be lucky enough to see the babies leaving the nest. In my opinion though, as magical as this would be, I wouldn’t want to feel that I’ve hindered these creatures and would rather let nature take its course.

Let me know if you’ve seen the Loggerhead turtles in Zante, especially if you have any other tips! There’s lots more to do in Zante too, It should be high on your list of places to visit.

Becky x