Glass Bottom Boat Tour Zakynthos: See Caretta Turtles Up Close

Watch loggerhead turtles swim below the glass floor, then dive into caves and nesting beaches

A 3-hour glass bottom boat tour in Zakynthos's National Marine Park lets you photograph loggerhead sea turtles from directly above as they swim in open water. The route includes a photo stop at Cameo islet (formed by the 1633 earthquakes), a swim in the crystal-clear waters around Keri Caves and their rock arches, and a final stop at Marathonisi. The turtle-shaped island where you can swim at the Golden Nesting Beach and explore sea caves from inside. Door-to-door pickup and an English-speaking guide are included. The boat is small and eco-friendly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zakynthos Turtle Trip and Marine Park

• Door to door pick up
• Photostop at Cameo islet
• Cruise around National Marine Park
• Take photos of turtles swimming
• Explore Keri Caves and swim
• Swim at Marathonisi turtle-shaped island
• See caves of Marathonisi from inside
• Door to door drop off

The experience

The glass bottom boat is the whole point here. Instead of snorkeling or peering over the rail, you sit inside the hull where the turtles pass underneath you: close enough for photos the operator guarantees you'll get. The National Marine Park is where loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta Caretta) actually live and feed, so you're watching them in their habitat, not in a tank. The boat is small and designed for this, which is why the viewing works.

The route strings together four stops that would take a full day to reach on foot. Cameo islet sits where earthquakes cracked the coastline in 1633. You'll see the wooden bridge the boat departs from and get a photo stop there. From there, the boat cruises to Keri Caves, where you pass under the natural rock arches called "Kamares" and swim in water so clear you can see the bottom. Marathonisi comes last: a small island shaped like a turtle, with a beach where loggerhead turtles actually nest. You can swim there and explore the sea caves carved into the rock from the inside.

Pickup happens at your door and the driver speaks English. The whole outing runs 3.5 hours, which is long enough to hit all four stops without feeling rushed but short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon. The vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive to the boat, and the boat itself is built for the work: small enough to get close to the turtles and stable enough that photos from inside the glass actually come out sharp.

What’s included

• Door-to-door pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking guide.
• all fees and taxes.
• access to the glass bottom boat in the National Marine Park.
• photo stops at Cameo islet and Marathonisi island.
• swim stops at Keri Caves and Marathonisi beach.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Best of Zante

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling with a small group or family and want guaranteed close-up views of sea turtles without needing to snorkel or dive. The glass bottom boat does the work, and the 3.5-hour loop hits four different stops so the day doesn't feel thin.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I bring my own snorkel gear on the Zakynthos glass bottom boat tour?

Snorkeling equipment is not included with this tour, and you'll need to arrange your own if you want to use it at the swim stops. The glass bottom boat itself is the main viewing method for the turtles, so most travelers don't bring additional gear.

What are the chances of actually seeing sea turtles on this tour?

The operator guarantees you'll get close-up photos of loggerhead turtles from the glass bottom boat. That's the core promise of this tour. You're in the National Marine Park where these turtles live and feed, so sightings are the expected outcome, not a bonus.

How long does the glass bottom boat tour take in total?

The full tour runs 3.5 hours from pickup to drop-off, including the drive to the boat, all four stops (Cameo islet, Keri Caves, Marathonisi and the marine park), and the return journey to your accommodation.

What exactly is Marathonisi and why is it called the turtle island?

Marathonisi is a small island shaped like a turtle, located in the marine park. It's a nesting beach for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta Caretta), and you can swim at the Golden Nesting Beach there and explore the sea caves carved into the rock from inside.

Will I need to bring my own food or drinks on the tour?

Meals are not included with this tour, so bring water and any snacks you'll want during the 3.5 hours. The boat stops at swim locations where you can rest, but there are no food vendors at those stops.