Discover the sea-turtles on the Greek island of Zakynthos
Written by Heather CowperTurtles are a big deal on the Greek island of Zakynthos where I visit my sister every year. Zakynthos is home to the loggerhead turtle, Caretta Caretta and their nesting sites on the beaches in the bay of Laganas are protected.
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But there’s controversy too, in turtle-paradise and the building and development of land nearby continues as locals try to cash in on the island’s tourism. A marine park has been established, and the turtles are a big draw for visitors who go out on boat trips to try and spot the turtles. If you swim out far enough from the beach with your snorkle you might even see some in the water.
The best place to find out about the turtles is the Earth, Sea and Sky information centre at one of the key nesting areas on Gerakas beach, staffed by volunteers from all over Europe. Go and find out about their efforts to preserve the nesting sites and buy a few turtle postcards there. Then pop next door to the traditional taverna, for a cold drink and a plate of kalamari, in the shade of a huge mulberry tree.
Because of the marine park, building is banned around Gerakas beach which makes it one of my favourite beaches on Zakynthos, but if you find it a little overcrowded in high season, try Dafni beach, which is just the other side of the headland and with just as much chance of seeing a turtle. If you can get your hire car down the steep and hair-raising drive down the pot-holed dirt track, you’ll find the same unspoilt environment, with just a few shady beach bars to relax.
Thanks to RobW for his turtle photos on Flickr
Hi Heather, thank you for your lovely piece on the turtles of Zakynthos. It is encouraging to see the message of my organisation: to protect the Loggerhead turtles and their prime nesting grounds in the Marine Park of Zakynthos, is getting noticed!
My only regret is the headline of your article. While I appreciate the fact an impromptu close encounter can occasionally occur, we at Earth, Sea & Sky would never encourage visitors to Zakynthos to actively seek out an encounter such as swimming with the turtles, and most particularly to avoid any tour operators attempting to sell visitors this line. Without wishing to come across as a ‘killjoy’, it is in fact illegal to venture no closer than 10 metres to a sea turtle in the Marine Park – they are extremely shy creatures and easily stressed; after all they have travelled from long distances to Zakynthos to mate, nest and to rest their weary flippers in the warm waters of the Bay.
‘Discover the sea turtles on the Greek island of Zakynthos’ would perhaps be a more appropriate and less confusing title. These great, noble creatures – our beloved ‘Ancient Mariner’ – is here for all to enjoy and delight in catching a glimpse of – but done so from a respectable distance.
Regards,
Yannis Vardakastanis
Director
Earth, Sea & Sky
Yannis, I’m so pleased to have your comments as I know how committed you and your colleagues at the Earth Sea and Sky centre are to preserving the turtles on Zakynthos.
I’ve taken your advice and changed the title of the post as I wouldn’t want to give visitors the wrong impression.
I hope to meet you next time I’m visiting my sister on Zakynthos.
You may also be interested in the post I wrote about the dangers of plastic bags to turtle here.
http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/turtles-and-plastic-bags/
You may like some of my other posts about Zakynthos
Hello Heather!
Thank you for your reply and for most graciously changing the heading of your article. Very much appreciated! I read your other posts also.
Are you indeed planning to visit Zakynthos again this year? Please do come and see me at the Info Centre, you are most welcome.
Regards,
Yannis
[...] and enjoy some seafood on the harbour front there and swim from the pebbly beach, or visit the Turtle Information centre at the protected beach at Gerakas, where you can organise a catamaran trip around the bay and hopefully spot some turtles. [...]