Zakynthos: Keri Caves & Marathonisi Boat Tour with Turtles
Three hours on a small boat hunting for sea turtles off Zakynthos
You're picked up from your Laganas accommodation by air-conditioned bus and driven to Agios Sostis port, where you board a small boat for a three-hour cruise past the Keri Caves and Marathonisi. You'll swim and snorkel in the Ionian Sea, keep watch for sea turtles, and finish with lunch at a traditional tavern before returning to your hotel. No restroom facilities are available at the port or on the boat, so bring water and snacks if you need them.
5h 30m
Step-by-step itinerary
Boat tour to Keri and Marathonisi
- Pick up from accommodation
- Travel to Agios Sostis port
- Start 3-hour boat cruise
- Pass by Keri Caves
- Pass by Marathonisi island
- Watch for Caretta-Caretta turtles
- Swim and snorkel in Ionian Sea
- Return to Agios Sostis port
- Enjoy lunch at traditional tavern
The Experience
The boat fills up fast, and you realize pretty quickly that spotting a Caretta-Caretta turtle is not guaranteed — but it happens often enough that everyone's scanning the water the moment you leave Agios Sostis port. The three-hour boat trip takes you past the Keri Caves first, where the limestone cliffs drop straight into the sea and the water turns a shade of blue that photographs never quite capture. Your guide points out the cave entrances and the way the light hits the rock face, and then you're moving again, heading toward Marathonisi, the small island where you'll stop to swim and snorkel.
What makes this different from the bigger tour boats is the size — small groups mean you can actually hear the guide over the engine, and the boat can slip into shallower spots where the turtles sometimes feed. You get time in the water, not just a drive-by. Bring a mask if you have one; the snorkeling around Marathonisi is straightforward, and the water is clear enough that you'll see fish and the rocky bottom without much effort. The boat crew keeps an eye out the whole time, and if a turtle surfaces nearby, someone will spot it. No promises, but the odds are decent.
After you climb back on board, there's the ride back to Agios Sostis port, and then a traditional tavern meal with local dishes waiting near the harbor. It's not fancy — it's the kind of place where the owner knows the boat operators and the food tastes like someone's grandmother cooked it. By the time you're back at your accommodation in Laganas, you've been out since the morning pickup, but the three hours on the water will be the part you keep thinking about.
What’s included
Hotel pickup from your Laganas accommodation in an air-conditioned bus, the three-hour boat trip departing from Agios Sostis port, passage past the Keri Caves and Marathonisi, time to swim and snorkel in the Ionian Sea, an in-person English-speaking guide throughout, and lunch with local dishes at a traditional tavern near the harbor before your return to your accommodation.
Operated by Cretan Holidays
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Keri Caves and Marathonisi without renting a boat or driving yourself, and you're willing to travel in a small group where turtle spotting is more likely than on the larger tour boats. The early start and lack of onboard facilities mean you'll need to bring water and be comfortable with a full morning and early afternoon out of your hotel.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
How long is the boat trip?
Three hours on the water, plus time for swimming and snorkeling at Marathonisi.
Will I definitely see a sea turtle?
Caretta-Caretta turtles are spotted regularly on this route, but sightings are not guaranteed. The small boat size increases your chances.
Is there food or water available at the port or on the boat?
No. There are no restroom facilities, snack bars, or drink vendors at Agios Sostis port or on the boat. Bring your own refreshments.
What's included in the price?
Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned bus, the boat trip, swimming and snorkeling time, and lunch with local dishes at a tavern near the harbor.
Is this suitable for families with young children?
Yes. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.
What language is the guide?
English.
Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?
No, but if you have your own mask and fins, bring them. Snorkeling is available in the water around Marathonisi.
What time does the tour start?
Hotel pickup happens in the morning; the boat departs from Agios Sostis port after the drive from Laganas.
Zakynthos: Keri Caves & Marathonisi Boat Tour with Turtles
5h 30m · EN · at your hotel
from € 93 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.90120 reviews
