Zakynthos National Marine Park

Established in 1999 as the Mediterranean's first national park for sea turtles, the reserve protects Laganas Bay, where loggerhead turtles come ashore between late May and August to lay in the warm sand; hundreds of nests are recorded each season across six beaches, with Sekania holding the densest concentration in the Mediterranean and closed entirely to visitors. Rules govern the whole bay: night access to nesting beaches is prohibited, umbrellas must be kept to marked zones, boat speeds are limited, and some coves are off-limits. The park also protects Mediterranean monk seals and the Strofades islets offshore. Boat trips from Laganas and Keri go out to see turtles in the water, and an information centre explains the biology and the conservation conflicts.

What you'll find

• The nesting beaches - protected sand with marked and fenced nest sites.
• The turtles at sea - loggerheads surfacing in the bay, seen from boats.
• The information centre - displays on the species and park rules.
• The Keri caves and Marathonisi - protected islets and coastline in the bay.

When to go

June to August for the nesting season, though nests are marked rather than dug up and hatchlings emerge at night when beaches are closed. May to October for boat trips in calm water.

Practical notes

Tourism and turtles coexist uneasily here, and Laganas itself is a busy package resort with nightlife, which surprises visitors expecting a wilderness reserve. Boat operators vary greatly in how closely they respect speed and approach rules; choose ones licensed by the park. Seeing a nesting turtle is not possible for casual visitors.

Nearby

Keri and its sea caves lie west; Navagio and the Blue Caves are on the northern coast.

Key facts