{"id":53974,"date":"2025-09-12T10:28:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T08:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greece-moments.com\/?p=53974"},"modified":"2026-04-22T10:33:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T08:33:21","slug":"zakynthos-turtles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greece-moments.com\/en\/zakynthos-turtles\/","title":{"rendered":"Zakynthos turtles: 10 important facts for Caretta-Caretta"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ionian island of Zakynthos is one of the most important breeding grounds of Caretta Caretta in Greece<\/strong> and even in the entire Mediterranean. The wind-protected bay of Laganas, with its dune-like sandy beaches in the far south, offered sea turtles ideal conditions for laying their eggs.<\/p>\n

With the advent of mass tourism on Zakynthos<\/a>, the populations of sea turtles have been drastically reduced. The heavy development of the coastline and the intensive use of sandy beaches for beach tourism are, alongside bottom trawling, the greatest threats to this endangered species<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Zakynthos turtle on its way to the sea (\u00a9pixabay)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As holidaymakers, we can actively contribute to sea turtle conservation<\/strong> on Zakynthos \u2013 or, through our actions (often without realising it), help ensure that one day none of these majestic animals remain in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n

In this article you will find the most important information about Zakynthos turtles<\/strong> and a guide on what we as tourists can do, directly and indirectly, to help preserve sea turtles. True to the motto:<\/p>\n

“Be the change you want for this world.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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#1 Where to see Zakynthos turtles?<\/h2>\n

It is not without reason that Zakynthos is nicknamed the “Turtle Island of Greece”. In Laganas Bay,<\/strong> in the southeast of Zakynthos, numerous sea turtles gather every year to prepare for egg-laying. As early as the end of March, the first turtles reach the waters of the south coast and begin to mate.<\/p>\n

\"Laganas
Laganas Bay: Dream destination of turtles and tourists<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The females remain in the south of Zakynthos until the beginning of October to lay their eggs, before swimming back to other parts of the Mediterranean. Anyone planning to spend their Greece holiday<\/a> on Zakynthos therefore has the best chance of encountering sea turtles.<\/p>\n

#2 Why do turtles come to Zakynthos?<\/h2>\n

The island of Zakynthos is considered one of the most important nesting areas<\/strong> for the loggerhead turtle (Caretta Caretta) in the Mediterranean. Almost every year, the first nest in Greece is found on Zakynthos. Experts estimate that between 60 and 80 percent of the entire Mediterranean population lay their eggs in Greece.<\/p>\n

The turtles, which can grow up to 1.30 m in length, travel to Zakynthos from various parts of the Mediterranean. In addition to Zakynthos, they are also drawn to the opposite coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula<\/a>, specifically to the Gulf of Kyparissia. Further nesting sites exist on Crete, Cyprus and Turkey.<\/p>\n

\"Meeresschildkroete
Sea turtle Caretta Caretta (\u00a9pixabay)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Outside the nesting season, sea turtles inhabit many parts of the Mediterranean. Exactly why they prefer to return to Zakynthos each year is not yet fully understood.<\/p>\n

#3 Why are loggerhead turtles threatened with extinction?<\/h2>\n

The Caretta Caretta is today classified as threatened with extinction<\/strong> and is therefore under international protection (CITES \u2013 the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Turtles have existed for around 200 million years \u2013 they were already alive at the time of the dinosaurs.<\/p>\n

In Greek mythology<\/strong> they were also held in high regard. They were considered a symbol of fertility and therefore placed under the protection of the goddess Aphrodite. One of the earliest Greek coins, from the 5th century BC, already bore the image of a Caretta Caretta sea turtle.<\/p>\n

“In our modern world, turtles are confronted with challenges that they never had to face in the past.”<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The pollution of our oceans with plastic waste, extensive fishing activity (particularly trawl fishing) and mass tourism with all its negative side effects are increasingly endangering turtle populations. On Zakynthos, it feels as though everyone wants a share of the turtle business…<\/p>\n

\"Turtle
Turtle tours are booming in Zakynthos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beach erosion<\/strong> caused by intensive beach tourism is another problem for these sensitive animals. The less natural sandy beach remains, the harder it becomes for turtles to lay their eggs.<\/p>\n

Nature conservation and tourism do not coexist harmoniously on Zakynthos. This becomes clear when you see how much the turtle business is booming, while at the same time there are barely any funds available for the preservation of the national park.<\/p>\n

#4 Why are there fewer and fewer turtles on Zakynthos?<\/h2>\n

Just in time for the start of the holiday season at the end of May, female loggerhead sea turtles reach the southern beaches of Zakynthos and bury their eggs in the fine sand. Sea turtles are extremely sensitive animals that are highly sensitive to noise<\/strong> and artificial light.<\/p>\n

The beaches preferred for egg-laying are located at Laganas, the tourist hotspot of Zakynthos<\/strong>. The village has long been considered the island’s party stronghold. In summer, loud music booms from speakers late into the night and the artificial light from restaurants shines far out to sea \u2013 much to the detriment of the sensitive sea turtles.<\/p>\n

\"Laganas
View of the village of Laganas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is estimated that on average only one to two turtles out of around 1,000 eggs<\/strong> survive to reach reproductive maturity at 20\u201330 years of age. After this time, the female turtles return to the exact beach where they hatched in order to lay their own eggs.<\/p>\n

Where two decades ago there was still an untouched natural beach, today there may be a noisy beach bar or a beach hotel. If the conditions for egg-laying are not optimal \u2013 for example, if sun loungers obstruct digging or there is excessive noise \u2013 no eggs are laid and the female loses her entire brood<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Dafni Beach: Sun loungers make egg-laying more difficult<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Indeed, fewer turtle nests are recorded<\/strong> every year. The newly hatched young animals also face serious problems. Under natural conditions, they orient themselves towards natural light sources \u2013 such as the moon and stars \u2013 to find their way to the sea.<\/p>\n

Artificial light (e.g. from beach bars) disrupts their natural compass and draws them in the wrong direction. If they do not reach the sea quickly enough, they dry out or fall victim to cats and birds. Here is an overview of the Caretta Caretta nests counted on Zakynthos in recent years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/b><\/td>\n2021<\/b><\/td>\n2022<\/b><\/td>\n2023<\/b><\/td>\n2024<\/b><\/td>\n2025<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nests<\/td>\n1,319<\/td>\n1,125<\/td>\n2,033<\/td>\n2,470<\/td>\n2,155<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Source: ZNMP<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

#5 How can I protect the turtles as a holidaymaker?<\/h2>\n

Tourism and environmental protection can go hand in hand, as demonstrated by many other regions where sea turtles are found (including Florida in the USA and Koh Tao in Thailand).<\/p>\n

If you would like to help ensure that turtles continue to return to Zakynthos in the future, we recommend the following:<\/p>\n