Marathonisi (Turtle Island)
Zakynthos · Greece
Marathonisi is the tiny islet at the heart of Laganas Bay whose sheltered coves serve as the most important loggerhead sea turtle nesting beach in the Mediterranean. Snorkellers and divers regularly encounter Caretta caretta resting on posidonia seagrass beds or cruising the shallows in extraordinary numbers, alongside octopus, sea bream and torpedo rays. The site sits within a National Marine Park with strict access rules that protect turtle feeding and nesting, making every encounter feel rare and unhurried.
Conditions
Depth
3 to 18 m
Good for beginners
Current
Usually still
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
15 to 30 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
14 to 28°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 16 |
| Vis (m) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 |
| Current | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 40 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Ionian Wall Lizard
Last confirmed Jun 10, 2026 · 61 records
Very likely
Most dives
Common Octopus
Last confirmed May 30, 2026 · 7 records
Very likely
Most dives
Dusky Spinefoot
Last confirmed Jul 7, 2026 · 53 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Rivulated Rabbitfish
Last confirmed Jun 5, 2026 · 17 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Ornate Wrasse
Last confirmed Jul 7, 2026 · 38 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
White Sea Bream
Last confirmed Jul 3, 2026 · 37 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Torpedo Ray
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear