Enjoy 10% off our TUI Collection experiences. Simply access or create your myTUI account to get the code. Click here Valid until 30.09.2026
Menu
Cart

Turtle Cruise to Marathonisi and Keri Peninsula

3.9/5
103 reviews

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 give you the lowdown on its work.

What is the itinerary for this experience?

This experience is available as a morning or afternoon turtle cruise, so the itinerary timings change depending on which one you pick.

Morning option:

- 8:45am – depart from Zakynthos Harbour

- 9:30am to 10:00am – swimming stop at Vasilikos (Porto Roma) for 30 minutes

- 11:00am to 11:20am – turtle spotting in Laganas Bay

- 11:25am to 11:35am – photo stop at Marathonisi (Turtle Island)

- 11:45am to 12:30pm – swimming stop at Oasis Bay for 45 minutes

- 12:40pm to 12:50pm – photo stop at the Keri Caves

- 1:00pm to 1:30pm – stop at Keri fishing village with time for a short village walk

----------

Afternoon option:

- 12:50pm to 1:20pm – arrive at Keri, village walk and boat departure

- 1:30pm to 1:40pm – photo stop at the Keri Caves

- 2:00pm to 2:45pm – swimming stop at Oasis Bay for 45 minutes

- 2:50pm to 3:10pm – turtle spotting

- 3:15pm to 3:25pm – photo stop at Marathonisi (Turtle Island)

- 4:25pm to 4:55pm – swimming stop at Vasilikos

- 5:40pm – arrive back at Zakynthos Port and transfer to your resort

Please note, the times and schedule may vary on the day

Main features

Free cancellation
Place: Zante
Duration: from 4 hours to 8 hours
Language:English
Mobile voucher accepted

Additional features

Entrance Fees Included
Guided Tour
Instant confirmation
e-Voucher
Hotel pick up

Why choose TUI Collection

We've carefully designed our experiences to help you get the most out of every trip.

Exceptional experiences

Led by friendly expert guides, these authentic experiences are highly rated by customers.

Created with care

Every experience you buy donates to the TUI Care Foundation, which runs environmental and social initiatives worldwide.

Best value guaranteed

If you find the same value experience for a lower price, we'll happily refund the difference.

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

Important to know

  • 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.

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.


What’s included

  • Exclusive TUI itinerary
  • Transport
  • Guide
  • Boat trip

This experience meets the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. By choosing this experience you can protect the places you love, care for the environment and support local communities.

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.


Pickup points

To see which pickup points are available, check under availability & prices.

Provider

TUI Hellas Travel, Tourism and Airlines SA, with Tax Number 094469778 and Travel License Number 0261Ε60000126100


What people say about this experience

3.9/5

All reviews are verified

Based on 103 reviews


Review categories

Service

4/5

Safety

4/5

Staff

4/5

Value for money

3.8/5


28%
43%
22%
5%
2%

Sort by:

  • M

    Michael Szkudlarek

    Traveled as a couple


    October 2, 2025
    3.8

    Denmark

    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

    Traveled as a couple


    September 25, 2025
    3.4

    Finland

    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

    Traveled as a couple


    September 18, 2025
    3

    Denmark

    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

    Traveled as a couple


    September 11, 2025
    1.8

    Norway

    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

    Traveled as a couple


    August 30, 2025
    4.2

    Finland

    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

    Traveled with family


    August 28, 2025
    1.8

    Denmark

    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

Need a hand?

Would you like some help making a booking? Or perhaps you just want to ask a few questions. Whatever the reason, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Opening hours: Our team is available from 10.00 to 18.00 CET

Phone number: +1 208-744-6464