Turtle Cruise to Marathonisi and Keri Peninsula
Excursions & day trips

Turtle Cruise to Marathonisi and Keri Peninsula

3.9/5

Great
103 reviews
from
35.00
Free cancellation
Language: English
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: from 4 hours to 8 hours
Why you’ll love this…
  • On this cruise around Marathonisi sland you'll be on the lookout for loggerhead turtles
  • There's an opportunity to learn about ongoing projects by local turtle conservation group ARCHELON
  • In the small village of Keri there's free time to shop, relax or simply soak up some rays
  • You can cool off with a swim in the Bay of Oasis near the Keri peninsula's dramatic cliffs
  • Your expert local guide knows the waters around Turtle Island well and will show you the best spots
What to expect

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.

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What's included
  • check Exclusive TUI itinerary
  • check Transport
  • check Guide
  • check Boat trip
What to remember
  • There's a snack bar onboard the boat where you can purchase food and drinks
  • By choosing this excursion you are helping ARCHELON and contributing to the care of endangered turtles
  • Suitable for guests with reduced mobility as there is space for wheelchairs
  • Please provide your passport/ID details at time of booking
  • Please be aware that afternoon tours will start in Keri with same itinerary and end at Zakynthos town port where a coach will bring you back to your hotel
  • While sightings of loggerhead turtles are frequent on this tour, they are wild animals, so there's no guarantee of spotting them
  • Pick-ups are available from selected hotels in the following resorts:
    - Keri
    - Porto Koukla
    - Agios Sostis
    - Laganas AGANAS
    - Kalamaki
    - Argassi
    - Tsilivi
    - Tragaki
    - Kypseli
    - Amoudi
    - Alykanas
    - Alykes If you don't see the option to add a hotel for pick-up, please provide details at checkout
  • Morning Tour: You'll arrive at the port in the centre of Keri around 12:45 pm. Coaches for the return transfer will be waiting at the central parking area and will depart at 1:00 pm
  • Afternoon Tour: The boat Seven Island Cruises will be at the port in the centre of Keri and will depart at 1:45 pm
  • Bring bathing gear and sunblock
  • Bring a towel
  • Bring money for extras or gratuities
  • Food and drinks not included
  • This is one of our TUI Collection experiences, which give you a local flavour of the destination while showcasing its unique, authentic and responsible values.
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Provider
TUI Hellas Travel, Tourism and Airlines SA, with Tax Number 094469778 and Travel License Number 0261Ε60000126100
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Great

3.9 /5

Based on 103 reviews from verified customers


Review categories

Service

4/5

Safety

4/5

Staff

4/5

Value for money

3.8/5


28%
43%
22%
5%
2%

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  • M

    Michael Szkudlarek

    Verified booking

    3.8

    2 October 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    I beskrivelsen lyder det som om at man kommer til at stoppe, for at hoppe af på en eller to øer, det gør man ikke, hvilket var lidt skuffende. Især når de siger at hvis vi ser en lille skildpadde, så skal vi tage fat i nogen af tui medarbejderne. Hvor skulle vi se babyskilpadder på vej ud til vandet, hvis ikke på et stop ved en ø??

  • M

    Matkustaja

    Verified booking

    3.4

    25 September 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    Matkan alku oli hyvä ja maisemat tosi hienot. Siirryttäessä kilpikonnia etsimään tunnelma lyssähti ja oppaan ääntä ei kaiuttimista välillä kuullut, koska laivan moottorit pitivät aika kovaa ääntä. Loppu siirtyminen viineiseen uinti paikkaan ja sieltä satamaan oli myös tylsistyttävän pitkä, koska mitään ei sinä aikana tapahtunut. Wc tilat laivassa eivät olleet kovinkaan siistit. Miehistö halusi tippiä lopussa vaikka eivät mitään sen eteen tehneet joten ei annettu tippiä.

  • L

    Lasse

    Verified booking

    3

    18 September 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    Sure guider og utroligt ingen tui guider følger med bussen og ingen opsamling på hotellet. Folk måtte klare sig selv og kom ikke på bytur trods annoncerede

  • Å

    Åge

    Verified booking

    1.8

    11 September 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    Frivilligen fra naturvernorganisasjonen holdt en veldig fin presentasjo. Guiden snakket godt engelsk, men hun satt bare på øvre dekk. Båten er svært dårlig vedlikeholdt. Det luktet bensin fra motoren hele turen, ankeret kunne ikke manøvreres uten å bli slått hardt med en hammer. Det som var veldig negativt var at de ikke hadde redningsvester. Mannskapet svarte at de bare hadde to barnevester. Det var flere barn på båten! Vi var ikke i land for å se Keri.

  • R

    Rita

    Verified booking

    4.2

    30 August 2025

    Travelled as a couple


    Retki oli hieman liian pitkä. Luolat ihastuttavat ja maisemat kauniit. Kilpikonnia emme nähneet mutta saimme kuulla niistä ja niiden suojelusta. Toisen uintitauon jälkeen oli vähän tylsää ja halusimme jo laivalta pois. Bussi oli myöhässä ennen retkeä ja hukassa retken jälkeen. Laura-opas oli mukava ja selkeäsanainen.

  • L

    Lars

    Verified booking

    1.8

    28 August 2025

    Travelled with family


    Absolut IKKE pengene værd. Blev sat af i Keri med besked om, at vi blive afhentet af en TUI-guide. Intet skete og utilfredsheden spredte sig blandt gæsterne. Først efter en time kom en person og oplyste, hvad der så skulle ske. Denne forsinkelse betød så meget lidt tid med sightseeing i Keri halvøen. På bådturen fortsatte det manglende informationsniveau. Et par stop med ligegyldige badestop, og meget kort tid med “søgen” efter skildpadder betød en meget skuffende oplevelse. Kan ikke anbefales

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