Glass-Bottom Boat — Zakynthos’s Sea Turtles from Above

Not everyone can snorkel. Children who aren’t confident swimmers, people who don’t enjoy putting their face underwater, elderly visitors — all of them deserve to see one of the Mediterranean’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters. The glass-bottom boats of Laganas Bay solve this elegantly: traditional wooden caïques with a viewing window built into the hull, through which the clear water of the National Marine Park becomes a window onto the Caretta caretta sea turtles below.

It’s simpler technology than it sounds, and it works remarkably well. The water clarity in the park zone averages 12–15 metres of visibility. Turtles that surface for air — which they must do every 20–30 minutes — are visible from well above. A turtle feeding on sea grass on the sandy bottom in 4 metres of water is clearly visible through the glass panel, unobstructed, without any disturbance.

The Marine Park Context

Laganas Bay contains the most important Caretta caretta nesting beaches in the Mediterranean. The National Marine Park of Zakynthos was established in 1999 to protect both the nesting beaches and the feeding grounds in the bay. Within the park, strict rules govern boat access: only licensed operators may enter certain zones; speed limits apply; no anchoring on sea grass beds; no swimming within certain distances of nesting beaches.

These rules are why there are still turtles here to see. They’re also why choosing a licensed operator matters — the boats with permits actually access the feeding grounds where turtles concentrate.

What to Expect

Tours depart from Laganas pier on the main beach. The standard route crosses the bay toward Marathonisi island (also known as Turtle Island — a small island used as a secondary nesting site) and then moves slowly through the marine park feeding zone.

The captain navigates slowly, engine reduced, while a crew member watches the water surface for turtle heads breaking the surface to breathe. When a turtle is spotted, the engine cuts and the boat drifts. Everyone moves to the viewing windows or gathers at the rail.

Sighting rates: On morning tours, most boats see at least two or three turtles. Some tours see eight or ten. The variable is entirely the turtles — their movements are unpredictable. A guide who promises guaranteed sightings is either very confident or not being honest. What you can expect is a genuine, well-managed attempt.

The journey to and from Marathonisi island also passes along the beach itself — impressive as a nesting site, and the island has a small beach that the boat briefly approaches.

For Children

This is one of the most family-friendly activities on the island. The boats are stable, the duration is comfortable (under 2 hours), no special equipment or physical condition is needed, and the turtle encounters are genuinely exciting for children in a way that requires no interpretation or imagination. What you see through the glass is simply a sea turtle, large and unhurried, doing what sea turtles have done for 100 million years.

Practical Details

Location: Laganas pier, Laganas Bay, south Zakynthos
Season: May–September (turtles in feeding grounds May–October; peak nesting season June–August)
Best time: 09:00 departure
Duration: 1.5–2 hours
Price: €15–20 per person; children often half price
Booking: Walk-up at the pier usually possible outside peak season; book in advance for July–August
Key question to ask operators: “Do you have a permit to enter the National Marine Park zone?”