Zakynthos Island of turtles and blue caves. Travel to Turtle Island. Zakynthos. Greece Where to Stay in Zakynthos
An excursion to turtle island or Prison island combines a sea voyage along the blue Indian Ocean and a visit to an abandoned prison and turtle park, home to a colony of giant tortoises.
Important!!! Don't hesitate to buy this excursion. In the article below, I will tell you how to easily and cheaply organize this mini-cruise for yourself and get a sea of unforgettable impressions.
Officially, you can feed turtles on the island; everyone who buys an entrance ticket is given a bunch of grass.
Prison island on the map of Zanzibar:
How to visit Prison island (Turtle Island Zanzibar) on your own:
- If you are in Stone Town, plan 2.5 - 3 hours for this tour. If not in Stone Town, think about how to get to the capital.
- The map shows a point on the beach in Stone Town itself. Here you can rent a boat. How more people You will be, the cheaper the price for each. There were three of us, for three the starting price for a boat was 30 dollars, but we easily dropped the price to 20 dollars.
- This price includes: powerboat with the captain, moving in both directions and waiting while you walk around Turtle Island. This is what the boat looks like.
We sail to turtle island in a race with other tourists - The journey takes 30 minutes one way across the very blue Indian Ocean.
- The recommended time for visiting the island grounds is every day until 14:00. Turtles that crawl freely around the island feed on the stems of some kind of grass; this grass is given to every tourist who pays an entrance ticket. You can feed the turtles until 14:00, so after this time nothing is given to incoming tourists, and the turtles are not so active and not hungry.
- The boat will take you directly to the beach of the island, drop you off and wait while you have some fun.
- Turtle Island is very small, but nevertheless divided into two independent parts. First: a turtle park, where a whole colony lives, more than 500 turtles. Entrance here costs $4 per person. For this money you get a bunch of grass that you can feed freely crawling turtles. Second: an abandoned prison with amazing views of the ocean, admission is free.
- There is a small restaurant on Prison Island where you can drink a cold beer or order food, but the prices here are three times higher than the average on the island.
- It took us an hour and a half to walk around the entire island and see everything.
- The journey back takes the same 30 minutes.
- Total: 2.5 hours, 10-11 dollars per person and no guides or intermediaries. Organizing an excursion to Prison Island on your own is as easy as shelling pears.
After reading the entire article, I hope you understand that best time for visiting it is the first half of the day. We made the mistake of planning a whole day. When you are brought back and dropped off on the same beach where you started, then in 10 minutes you can walk to the very center of Stone Town, Forodani Gardens. And from there everything is within walking distance. Choose any.
In addition to turtles, the island is home to peacocks and guinea fowl. More details in the article at the link.
They will help you create general idea about what awaits you on this archipelago, including smaller islands such as Prison Island.
In conclusion: It doesn't matter how far you travel from Stone Town. If you are in Zanzibar, you must set aside time to visit Prison Island, Turtle Island. The photo above I hope convinced you.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: below are the main resources without which you cannot organize your holiday in Zanzibar (immediately add what you need to your bookmarks):
Air travel:– the cheapest tickets to Zanzibar via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha or Muscat.
Ready tours: — tours to Zanzibar from 60,000 rubles. (You can find a direct charter Moscow - Zanzibar)
Hotels:– hotels on the island with 50% discounts, work with Booking, Ostrovok, Trivago.
Villas, bungalows and hotels on the first line:- There are exclusive options at great prices.
Car rental:- the world leader in car rental, in Zanzibar too.
Extended medical insurance: — cooperate directly with the Zanzibar hospital and clinic. When purchasing insurance, you will receive a free online consultation with a doctor 24/7 during your trip!
We stayed at the ILLaria hotel between the two villages of Kalamaki and Laganas. The hotel consisted of small two-story houses with large green areas and a homely atmosphere. Thanks to the hotel owner. We lived in a house like this on the second floor. We walked to the beach through a eucalyptus forest. And you know, we didn’t feel either fatigue or sweltering heat from this walk. Pleasure and peace. The beach is very clean with warm sand. There are not many people, mostly everyone lies in the area where there are sun loungers. The sea is shallow, you walk and walk and you are still knee-deep, like ours Gulf of Finland, only here the water is warm, but in St. Petersburg you can’t even walk a meter and you’ll already freeze. This entrance into the sea is very pleasant for the children and me, since I am terrified of the sharp depths in the sea.
Having read information on the Internet that it is on our beach that turtles go to lay their offspring in the sand, and there were already a lot of clutches, we decided to take a catamaran. For two hours we swam along the shore and peered into the blue waters, but we didn’t see anything. Either it was the wrong day or all the turtles had already laid their offspring. 
After relaxing on the beach for several days, we decided to visit the capital of the island of Zakynthos. A taxi from our hotel to the capital of the island cost 13 euros for a 15-minute drive, and taking into account the fact that in Greece there is a problem with punctuality public transport, we decided to take a taxi. 
Available on the island Observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of the city. And now we see the goal... but we don’t know where to go, since the signs are all written in a language we don’t understand. But we got there...and we were helped by a nice woman who didn’t know English, and we didn’t know Greek, but no one had canceled sign language, and we understood each other. 
And here is the altitude we took in the heat of 35 degrees. To be honest, it was worth it. 
In the evenings, tourists are brought to this cozy restaurant on the mountain, where I arrange for them a national Greek dinner with dancing and music. You can also see a simply stunning sunset here..... 
On our way back home, we came across this little shop along the way. And pay attention to the onion, yes, yes, at the entrance to the store there is an onion of this size. 
The day came when we sailed to Navagio Bay. In general, we don’t like a huge number of people, so we took an excursion on a small boat with a stop only at Navagio Bay and the blue caves. Along the way we saw such beauty. 
And this ship headed to the island of Kefalonia. 
Blue Caves. We'll go there a little later. 
Incredibly beautiful nature. The waves crash against the rocks, the warm wind...Words cannot describe it. 
Here it is, the long-awaited one... Let's swim up. We also arrived at a good time, there weren’t many people on the beach, and we managed to do nice photos, when we were already sailing, the most big ship, which accommodates 500 people. Well, you can imagine what happened there;) 
Have you ever seen such a color of the sea? Personally, I don’t. You see further on the water is already dark blue, but in the bay it is blue, turquoise, and I even heard someone call it milk-colored water. 
Everyone, young and old, comes here. Unfortunately, small boats and boats do not have the opportunity to swim directly to the shore, so people have to swim to get there. 
This rusty ship has been in the bay for a very long time and is his business card, because according to legend, pirates crashed on this ship, and it still remains here. There are many Russian inscriptions on it, there is even the inscription Zenit Peter. 
The water in the bay is never calm; the waves were even higher. You can do, for example, lunges like this :) 
And this is my photo shoot;) 
For everything, the boat captain gives you an hour of time to take a photo and swim, although I personally didn’t swim more than a meter from the shore. Firstly, it was deep, and secondly, the wave washed me back. Our next point sea travel there were blue caves. The water is crystal clear, transparent and very warm, warmer even than in the bay. 
This is how all the men escaped from the boat :) 
Surprised? We were too. Why are there no people on the street and the shops are closed? Because on this day there was a holiday in Greece, and the whole island was resting. But we weren’t too upset, we wandered through the quiet streets, found the only cafe on the embankment that was open and enjoyed another day in this wonderful and already so dear country. 
The cats of Greece have always touched me. They are thin not because they are not fed, but it’s just very difficult for the fat ones. Hot, scorching sun, not a drop of rain.... My fat ass wouldn’t have taken root there;) 
On the penultimate day of our vacation, we decided to rent a boat and sail to the neighboring Turtle Island. It is called so because it is shaped like a turtle. And there, on the white sand, turtles lay their offspring. 
We are early birds, and that's why we were the very first to arrive. Very rocky beach, but we swam here to swim in the caves. It was here that I snorkeled for the first time. I experienced so many emotions in that moment. As I already wrote, I am afraid of depth, and that is why it took me so much effort to overcome myself. We saw so many beautiful fish, both small and large. They swam near us, some of the bravest ones were very close, and some, seeing us, swam away. 
Salt water creates such funny hairstyles :) 
You can sail around the island in 20 minutes. On one side there is a rocky beach with caves, and on the other side open beach with white sand, but that day there was a strong wind, so we couldn’t leave our boat there, it was blown away all the time. 
Our journey has ended on the wonderful island of Zakynthos. Sea, sun, soft sand, warm sea breeze, invigorating and aromatic Greek coffee, enchanting nature and an atmosphere of warmth, comfort and tranquility, this is all that we experienced during these 10 days.
Come to Zakynthos. Turtles are waiting for you;)
Zackinthos Island V Lately has become very popular among Russian tourists, despite the fact that not all tour operators offer trips to this piece of Greece.
The reason is that many are already pretty fed up with Turkish all-inclusive and crowds of Russian tourists traveling around the islands of Crete and Rhodes. But I want something unusual, colorful and unknown.
All this you can find on the island of Zakynthos, which is located in the western part of the country washed by the waters Adriatic Sea. Since antiquity, the island has been famous for its snow-white rock cliffs, abundant vegetation and underwater caves.
Among the attractions of this place it should be noted legendary blue grottoes.
The island is also proud of its fourteen kilometer long beach with snow-white sand and clear azure water.
In general, the area of Zakynthos is small, so many tourists who come here on vacation usually rent a car and explore the territory on their own. In principle, it is possible to travel around the entire island in one day.
At the end of August and at the beginning of September, the largest flow of travelers to this picturesque Greek corner is, because it is during this period that offspring appear on the shore giant sea turtles carriage – carriage. You can just imagine this touching sight in Lagana Bay, no wonder so many people are so eager to come here.
The island authorities do their best to protect these unusual inhabitants and do not recommend holding the young turtle generation in this national park.
Even those places where turtles lay eggs in July are carefully fenced off by park workers so that no one accidentally damages them. In general, the Greeks show themselves to be very nice and friendly people, not only in their love for nature, but also for guests from other countries.
There is no traveler who, upon returning from the birthplace of democracy, would not be pleasantly surprised by Greek hospitality.
There are not many expensive hotels with isolated beaches in Zakynthos, but that is not what tourists come here for. They are attracted by the pristine beauty of the island and Hellenic flavor. The islanders willingly rent out their homes, pamper guests with home-cooked meals and offer various excursions. Even if you are not a car enthusiast, or for some other reason you do not want to rent a car, then local buses constantly travel around the island, so the only thing left is to plan the route.
Besides, local residents They will gladly take you wherever you ask for a reasonable fee. The only problem is the language barrier. In view of the fact that Russians do not visit the island often, the Greeks are not very keen to master the Slavic speech, so it would be nice to at least learn English.
In the north of Zakynthos are the above mentioned Blue Caves, the waters in these places are simply incredibly beautiful, shades of blue, turquoise, and azure blue. You can easily take a yacht excursion to these places and swim in these incredible lagoons.
Arriving here in the middle of summer, you can get to music festivals classical music, which are held under open air.
And although tours to this island are still a little more expensive for Russians than to other Greek resorts, this does not stop them, especially since there are now direct flights to this part of the land. True, these flights are not so frequent, so sometimes you have to make a transfer in Athens. The second way to Turtle Island is through the sea. For many, such a transfer is even more to their liking, because traveling by ferry or yacht is almost the same as a cruise.
Have a nice trip and great impressions!!!
The length of Koh Tau island is only 8 km, the maximum width is 3 km. But the distance from the mainland is quite significant - 38 km. During the summer holidays in Thailand (from late April to mid-May), Koh Koh Island is hopelessly crowded as local holidaymakers flock here.
The six hundred inhabitants of Tau Island are distributed among the villages of Mahat, Khatsay and Chalok. Most of them live in the first village, a beautiful village surrounded by granite rocks. There are also establishments useful for tourists, such as restaurants and a bank. There is also a ferry pier in this village.
Half a century ago, Tau Island served as a prison. Evil tongues claim that the Thai government transferred prisoners (mostly political ones) from here simply because the island is too beautiful to be a place of punishment.
Beaches of Koh Tau
A few years ago, on the deserted beaches of Tau Island, it was easy to imagine yourself as Robinson. But now there are bungalows everywhere. The most beautiful beaches are located in the west of the island, and are also easier to reach than the narrow coastal strips in the east and south.
Diving
Koh Tao Island is especially appreciated by experienced scuba diving enthusiasts. Undersea world Here it's still almost undamaged. Three small islands adjacent to Tau from the northwest and collectively called Nangyuan are especially good for underwater forays. There are about a dozen scuba diving schools on Koh Tao Island where you can rent the necessary equipment and also get a PADI diploma.
How to get there
- By ferry:
travel from Chupmkhon by ferry takes about 6 hours, by speedboat - hours. An express boat runs daily from Thongsala on Koh Phangan (travel time about 2 hours). There is also a boat connection to Koh Samui. - By plane:
The nearest airport is on Koh Samui.
There is very little transport on the island of Koh Tau, but the distances are so short that they can be covered on foot.
The hallmark of the island of Zakynthos is Navagio Bay with turquoise water and pirate ship. Photos of Zakynthos can only compete with Santorini in popularity and recognition. Giant Caretta turtles, blue caves with grottoes, what else attracts tourists to this Greek island? Where to stay and what to bring as a souvenir of Zakynthos?
Navagio Bay
The island of Zakynthos (Zakynthos, Zante) is part of the Ionian Islands group, being the third largest after Corfu and Kefalonia. The favorable climate of these places is good for both lush vegetation and recreation. We have long dreamed of going to Zakynthos, so we kept an eye out for special offers. Buying one ready-made turned out to be cheaper than air tickets.
Direct flights from Moscow to Zakynthos are single flights or charters during the season. You can always fly to Zakynthos with a transfer in Athens or via Europe. View prices and choose a convenient option using the low price calendar.
Where to stay in Zakynthos
A significant proportion of foreign tourists in Zakynthos are British; unfortunately, they have turned the island's largest bay into a noisy party spot. But what is suitable for young people is not suitable for families with children and people who prefer relaxing holiday. The main thing is to decide where your place is in Zakynthos. From a geographical point of view, everything is clear: in the southern and east coasts – sandy beaches, on the north and west there are rocks.
Laganas- the same thing English place, where people come to discos and bars. Our tour also included accommodation in a hotel in Laganas, we spent one night there. Laganas Hotels
The advantages of Laganos are that it is close to the airport and all tourist services are widely available. We had no difficulty finding a place for a late dinner and quickly rented a car from one of the many rent a car. IN high season the car is better.
Kalamaki is located east of Laganas on one long beach. Not so active here night life And sandy coast surrounded by rocks. Kalamaki Hotels
Vasilikos — small village in the southeast of the island offers accommodation in family apartments. Located nearby good beaches: Agios Nikolaos, Gerakas, Dafni and Porto Roma, where people come to study aquatic species sports. Vasilikos Hotels
Argasi is located 4 km from Zakynthos. Despite the narrow beach, it is popular among tourists. Argasi Hotels
The main resort areas with hotels are located above (north) of the capital of the island, Zakynthos: Tsilivi, Alykanas, Alykes. They are suitable for vacationers with children and all-inclusive fans.
Tsilivi Hotels
Alykanas Hotels
Alykes Hotels
In the capital Zakynthos city There are a few good hotels on the promenade next to the city beach, shops and restaurants. Zakynthos Hotels
We lived in the southwest of the island in a fishing village Limni Keri. This is a very quiet place overlooking the island of Marathonisi and a beautiful beach. In Limni Keri, inexpensive apartments are available for rent (from €20 for a 2-bed studio). Our host Shula spoke fluent English and we became friends with her entire hospitable family.
All accommodation options on Zakynthos island
Interesting places and excursions in Zakynthos
Zakynthos is attractive primarily for its natural beauty. An earthquake that occurred in 1953 destroyed almost all the buildings on the island.
In the city of Zakynthos The church of St. Dionysius, the patron saint of the island and the most revered saint, has been preserved. Nearby there is a large bell tower and a bust of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, who liberated the Ionian Islands from the French. In Zakynthos, it’s good to stroll along the seaside avenue, have lunch, buy souvenirs or do shopping on the pedestrian street Alexandrou Roma. All the big supermarkets are around Zakynthos.
2 km from Zakynthos Stranis Hill (Bochali) The remains of a Venetian fortress have been preserved, offering the best panoramic views.
National marine park Zakynthos in 1999 it was declared a protected area because the giant tortoise Caretta-Caretta lays its eggs here. The park is located in Laganas Bay, the egg-laying sites are fenced and protected. The Carriage turtle can be seen swimming near the shore. Boat excursions are organized from Laganas and Kalamaki, you can take a catamaran.
Blue caves located at the northernmost cape of Cape Skinari. You can get here with an organized excursion or by your own car (go to Agios Nikolaos and take a boat). The boats sail along the rugged coast, under large stone arches and enter the grotto.
Similar caves are located at the opposite end of the island in Keri ( Keri caves). Glass-bottomed ships depart from the port of Limni Keri. We rode one of them along the route: turtles in Laganas Bay - Marathonisi Island - Keri Caves (3 hours, €15). We saw the Karetta turtle, laying eggs on the island of Marathonisi, and snorkeled.
Navagio Bay (Navagio or Shipwreck) located in a place inaccessible from the shore. To take the most photogenic photos from above, you need to get to the observation deck near the village of Anafonitria. The steel platform over the chasm accommodates 2 people, so we waited our turn but were rewarded with a fantastic view. Navagio beach itself offers boat excursions from all tourist centers on the island.
On a rocky west coast There is picturesque bays, where you can get there on your own, swim, snorkel, on a catamaran or boat: Porto Roxa and Porto Limnionas.
Most beautiful sunset in Zakynthos at the lighthouse in the village of Keri. Since we lived nearby, we went to watch the sunset several times. Along the way there is the largest Greek flag and a restaurant with beautiful view on the white rocks. Near the village of Agalas there is Damianos cave, and near Kambi there are the remains of a Mycean cemetery.
What to bring as a souvenir of Zakynthos
The most important souvenir of Zakynthos is the Caretta turtle. They sell absolutely everything with a turtle; children really like soft toys. We bought a magnetic turtle.
In Zakynthos they make their own branded marshmallow and other sweets; olive oil and honey are traditionally popular. In Zakynthos restaurants you should try Zakynthos-style rabbit. Dry white wine produced in Zakynthos is called Verdea. We attended a wine festival that took place on September 13 in Limni Keri, with a tasting and a concert; similar musical events are held in different parts of the island.
From Zakynthos they bring photographs of all shades of turquoise water, lush greenery, sunsets, turtles and, of course, the famous Navagio Bay.
If you go to Zakynthos for a week, you will have time to see everything, and if you go for two, you can go with one day excursion to the neighboring island of Kefalonia or the Peloponnese peninsula (to Ancient Olympia). Ferry tickets to the Greek islands