Zante cruise to Turtle Island for private groups

Turtle Cruise to Marathonisi and Keri Peninsula

Loggerhead sea turtles have been residents of Zante's beaches for thousands of years, and with a bit of luck, you'll see them first-hand on this boat trip. Join an expert local guide for an educational day out at sea, passing by nesting sites, swimming in hidden bays and spending time in the village of Keri. Bianca, one of our guides, says, ‘In just one trip, you get to jump into clear waters, cruise along the Keri peninsula and, with luck, see turtles.'Available either in the morning from Zante harbour or the afternoon from Keri harbour, this half-day cruise is a real treat for all the family. You'll pass by the golden beaches of Vassilikos and Marathonisi, a pine-clad islet dubbed ‘Turtle Island'. The reason's simple – one of its beaches is a favourite turtle nesting site. Bianca, who's lived on Zante for more than 20 years, says of the scenery, ‘You can do this tour a thousand times and every day is different.' Be sure to keep a lookout for loggerheads, and you may even spot a wild dolphin or two.Plus, you'll sail along the Keri peninsula, cruising by its sea-plunging cliffs, caves and lighthouse before dropping anchor for a swim stop at the Bay of Oasis. In the small village of Keri, you have a quick stop to shop for souvenirs, relax in a typical taverna or hit the beach. What's more, a volunteer from local conservation group ARCHELON – the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece – will be on board to tell give you the lowdown on its work.

Greek food and live music evening at Popolaros Taverna

Good food and good fun are on the menu at Popolaros Greek Taverna. Get in the holiday mood with this classic Greek evening – you'll try lots of typical local dishes, carefully prepared by Giorgios and his team. As the sun sets over the island, the candles are lit and the actors take to the stage. The sound of the bouzouki fills the air, and you find yourself tapping your feet to the rhythm. Dmitri, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Why not try dancing the zeibekiko traditional Greek dance? You follow the rhythm as the tempo gets faster and faster.'The evening begins with a transfer to the inviting taverna, where you can indulge in the traditional cuisine of Zante, prepared where possible with produce fresh from the family's own farm. Homemade bread is made from their own wheat, and most of the meat is reared on the farm, too. Organic vegetables are grown by the family for salads and sides, and you'll even get unlimited wine to sip on.Dmitri says, ‘My memories of family gatherings, holidays and special occasions all involve my mother, aunts and grannies baking. Frigania in summer, raisin and walnut-stuffed buns at Christmas and, all year-round, wood-fired oven-baked bread.' Popolaros is a traditional taverna where every dish is a celebration of the rich culture and traditions of Greece. As you finish your meal, sit back and enjoy a performance of local theatre with infectious Zakynthian music.

Half-day Greek cooking adventure in Zante

A relaxed half-day experience exploring Greek food and culture, the perfect way to start your morning. You'll be welcomed with coffee and intros before getting hands-on in a kitchen set in a beautiful garden on Zante. Under expert guidance, you'll dive into preparing five traditional dishes, including an appetiser, main, salad and dessert in this fun, relaxed and interactive class that's suitable for all skill levels. You'll learn to craft Greek favourites like stifado, spinach pie and feta saganaki as you sip soft drinks and sample your creations along the way. As you cook, you'll discover more about Greek culture, cuisine and island life. To end the day, you'll sit down to savour the dishes you've created, served alongside a local beer or wine. All the ingredients and tools are provided, just bring along your enthusiasm and appetite. Finally, you'll receive a PDF recipe booklet to recreate the authentic flavours of Zante at home.

Zakynthos town transfer

Exploring Zante's capital is effortless with this transfer. You'll be picked up from your hotel and taken directly into the city, where the evening is then yours to do as you wish – be it shopping, sightseeing or tasting local delicacies. There are loads to see and do.You'll have around four hours in the evening to discover the delights that Zakynthos Town has to offer. If you fancy a spot of souvenir shopping, then you'll be able to dip in and out of local boutiques, or enjoy a leisurely walk along the seafront Strada Marina, stopping for the odd aperitif or two.But if history and culture feature high on your agenda, then you've got museums and the famed Bohali Castle for sweeping views. Venetian-style architecture is abundant in the city, and Solomos Square is where you'll find both locals and visitors hanging out and watching the world go by. Enjoy the city as you want without the constraints of an itinerary, and soak up its magical atmosphere.

Secrets of Zante with Blue Caves visit and local tastings

It's easy to see why the Venetians called Zante the ‘Flower of the East'. This exclusive tour takes in some of the island's prettiest villages and the remote Anafonitria monastery, too. And that's not all. There'll also be local wine and sweets to taste, plus a short boat trip to the Blue Caves – one of the deepest points in the Mediterranean.

Smuggler's Cove half-day cruise with panoramic drive

Smuggler's Cove is a picture-postcard white pebble beach with a surprise – a shipwreck from an alleged smuggler who ran aground here in the early 80s. On this half-day boat trip, you'll cruise along the coast to see this famous spot, discover secret coves, swim and soak up the scenery. Kay, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Smuggler's Cove is also known as Shipwreck Beach, or “Navagio” in Greek. It's only accessible by boat, and it's one of the most photographed places in the whole of Greece.'After pick-up, enjoy a scenic drive to Porto Vromi – it takes up to 90 minutes – and hop on a boat towards Smuggler's Cove. You'll have half an hour or so to take in the vistas from the deck before the imposing white cliffs appear, sheltering the cove and its famous wreck. The 200-metre-high cliffs curve and swoop down behind the beach, dwarfing the shipwreck. Kay says, ‘To preserve the natural beauty of the area, instead of disembarking at Smuggler's cove, we'll pause here to admire the scenery and take a few Insta-perfect snaps.'Next, your captain will drop anchor at a nearby bay, and you'll have time to swim in the dazzling waters surrounded by Zante's coastal landscapes – don't forget your snorkel mask for spotting the colourful fish, coral and starfish here. Then, as we cruise back towards Porto Vromi, your captain will take you to a smooth, white-pebbled beach, a place so secret it doesn't even show up on Google. Cool off with a swim stop here and hear the story of the 'Poseidon's Face' – a rock formation believed to depict Poseidon, God of the sea – before setting off for the final leg back to shore.

Zante cruise to Turtle Island for private groups

Grab a group of your nearest and dearest and set sail on this private cruise to the island of Marthonisi, better known as Turtle Island. You'll head out from Laganas Bay, part of the Zakynthos Marine Park which is a protected area where loggerhead turtles nest. Your experienced captain will tell you all about these endangered animals as you try to catch a glimpse of them during your three-hour trip. If the weather's on your side, you'll get to have a wander on the uninhabited island and go for a swim. It's like your own private slice of paradise.

Laganas Scene Pass

Book this pass to access some of the island's top parties and events. Boat parties, discos, club nights – you name it, this pass gets you into it.

Boat tour to Zante’s Navagio Beach shipwreck

Between the towering cliffs of Navagio beach lies Zante's famous shipwreck, Panagiotis. On this boat trip you'll get plenty of photo ops with the wreck and hear about its modern-day pirate story. Your trip starts at Porto Vromi Maries on the northwest of the island, where you'll cruise up the coast, dropping anchor at beaches and caves along the way for a swim and snorkel. On your return, you'll see Poseidon's Profile in the rockface – some locals still believe the god of the seas brings good luck to visitors.

Transfer to Agia Mavra Festival in Zante

Head over to the village of Macherado, in Zante, and dive into an authentic Greek celebration on this transfer-only tour. You'll be dropped off just a 30-minute walk from the village centre, where the fun begins. Stroll into Macherado for the evening and see how locals celebrate the Festival of Agia Mavra.During the festival, locals come together to celebrate Saint Mavra, with the main event of the evening being a procession of her icon through the streets – the locals believe it has the power to teleport. In the central square of the village, you'll hear live music, and watch the locals celebrate in true Greek style with traditional dances – you'll have as much fun watching as you would taking part, if you fancy it.Then, you can stop by the barbecue hosted here and tuck into some classic Greek fare. We're talking grilled spiced meats with sides of tzatziki, fresh bread and Greek salad. Plus, there's a bazaar with stalls stocked with local crafts, tasty treats and artisanal products – why not search for souvenirs to take with you?