Spotting Turtles on Turtle Island Zante

This is genuinely one of the best boat trips I’ve ever been on, and I’m excited to share it with you. The Turtle Island Zante trip only cost €20 and we booked it through Peter’s Tours in Argassi. For anyone visiting Zante, seeing the turtles is an absolute must.

What Is Turtle Island Zante?

Turtle Island Zante, officially called Marathonisi (or Marathon Island), is a small island shaped like a turtle. It’s home to beautiful sea caves, tropical beaches and, most importantly, loggerhead turtles that frequent the surrounding waters. The island is a protected nesting site for these endangered Zante turtles.

The coach picked us up at 9:10am and took us on a short journey to the harbour, where we boarded a glass-bottom boat for the Turtle Bay tour. We were guaranteed to see Zante turtles, and the boat took us to their favourite spots. We saw one magnificent loggerhead turtle that kept surfacing near the boat – a massive, stunning creature. I did feel a bit bad seeing four boats crowded around it, wondering if the turtle was stressed by all the attention.

Swimming and Snorkelling at Turtle Island Zante

After turtle spotting, we headed to Turtle Island Zante itself (also known as Marathon or Marathonisi). This island is shaped like a turtle and features stunning sea caves and tropical beaches. We toured the entire island from the boat, going in and out of the caves. The captain got quite close to the cliffs – I’m fairly sure we hit a few rocks! I held on tight to the front of the boat with my hands dangling over the edge.

We stopped and jumped off the boat to swim and snorkel for about 20 minutes in the crystal-clear waters around Zante Turtle Island. Disaster struck when my brother’s wedding ring fell off. We could see it on the ocean floor, but when he tried to retrieve it, it was too deep and he ran out of air, accidentally knocking it further down. After a tense search, my nephew managed to grab it – though he nearly drowned in the process!

The Beach at Turtle Island Zante

The entire Turtle Island Zante boat trip took about 3 hours, and by 1:30pm we were back at the hotel for lunch and pool time. We’ve been on longer trips (like one in Cyprus that dragged on), but this was the perfect length – we were still enjoying ourselves and wanted more rather than feeling bored.

Final Thoughts

If you visit Zante, you absolutely must take a trip to Turtle Island. Seeing the Zante turtles in their natural habitat is incredible, and exploring Marathonisi’s caves and beaches makes it even more special. For €20, this Turtle Bay Zante trip offers amazing value and creates memories you’ll treasure. Book through Peter’s Tours in Argassi and prepare for one of the best experiences of your holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions About Turtle Island Zante

Where is Turtle Island in Zante? Turtle Island, officially called Marathonisi, is located off the coast of Zakynthos near Laganas Bay. It’s easily reached by boat from Argassi and other resorts.

What is Turtle Island Zante also called? Turtle Island Zante is also known as Marathonisi or Marathon Island. It’s called Turtle Island because of its turtle-like shape when viewed from above.

Can you see turtles at Turtle Island Zante? Yes! The waters around Turtle Island Zante are home to loggerhead turtles. Most boat trips guarantee turtle sightings as the boats visit the turtles’ favourite spots.

How much does a Turtle Bay Zante trip cost? When we booked through Peter’s Tours in Argassi, the Turtle Island Zante trip cost €20 per person. Prices may vary depending on the tour operator and season.

How long is the Turtle Island boat trip? The Turtle Island Zante boat trip takes about 3 hours including turtle spotting, exploring the island’s caves, swimming, snorkelling and beach time.

Is Turtle Island Zante worth visiting? Absolutely! The Turtle Island Zante trip is one of the best experiences in Zakynthos. You get to see endangered Zante turtles, explore stunning caves and relax on beautiful beaches.

Where can you book Turtle Island trips? You can book Turtle Island Zante trips through Peter’s Tours in Argassi or through most tour operators in Zakynthos resorts.