Be A Turtle Friendly Tourist
Loggerhead Sea Turtles, like all species of turtle, are endangered
They are contemporaries of the earliest dinosaurs, but for the last 30 years their survival in Zakynthos has been seriously threatened by the arrival of uncontrolled mass tourism in Laganas Bay.
Each summer 80% of the Mediterranean Loggerhead population comes to Laganas Bay, to mate and lay their eggs.
Approximately 1,300 nests are recorded each summer in Laganas Bay, each containing 120 eggs. Only 1 in every 1000 hatchlings will reaching adulthood and maturity. Maturity takes 30 years.
Turtles only return to the beach where they hatched to lay their eggs.
Their nesting grounds are under pressure from pollution and tourist development of the beaches and surrounding land
You can enjoy and help protect these amazing creatures while on holiday by simply being AWARE:
In the Water:
DO observe the boating zones dividing Laganas Bay: ALL boating and water sports activity is completely prohibited in Zone A. Take care to follow the speed limits in Zones B and C, and not drop anchor in B-Zone
IF you are lucky enough to see a turtle, please turn off your boat engine and drift. DO keep at least 10 metres from the turtle, remain behind it and stay for no more than 5 minutes
DO remain quiet, please do not attempt to swim with the turtles or touch them – They are very shy creatures and easily stressed, and swimming with turtles is illegal.
IF you see rubbish floating in the water, DO pick it up, as turtles mistake it for jellyfish, eat it and then die
On the Beach :
DO stay near the water, off the soft sand where nests are found. Soft sand is easily compacted which damages the nests and makes it impossible for hatchlings to dig their way out. Please do not drive on the beach, even on mopeds/bicycles, for this reason.
DO use the umbrellas provided, as piercing the sand with your own could result in driving the stake through a nest and all eggs / hatchlings being lost
DO take care of the metal cages put over nests to protect them. Please read the signs, but do not attempt to move the cages or dig into the nest.
DO take your litter home – and anyone else’s you see too!
DO talk to the sun bed men and encourage them to stack the beds for the night
DO please leave the beach before 7pm / sunset, which ever is earliest. Access to beaches is not allowed before 7am
Please DO NOT go to the beach at night, as bright lights, swimming, vibrations and noise all disturb nesting turtles and disorientates hatchlings
DO please speak to the ARCHELON volunteers on the beaches who research and monitor the turtles and read the information they hand out
For further information please visit
the Earth Sea & Sky Wildlife Information Station
just up from Gerakas Beach.
