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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingFive-hour boat trip from Laganas Bay — visit Turtle Island, swim at Keri Caves, and enjoy local delicacies at the olive oil museum.
This half-day tour takes you on a five-hour boat trip departing from Laganas Bay in Southern Zakynthos. You'll first glide to Marathonisi Island, known as Turtle Island, where Caretta Caretta turtles nest. A glass-bottom boat allows for underwater views and excellent photo opportunities while keeping an eye out for these remarkable creatures.
The itinerary includes swimming and snorkeling at the Keri Caves, where you can enjoy the clear turquoise waters. The tour wraps up with a visit to the Aristeon eco olive oil press museum, where you can sample local delicacies. Bring sunscreen — you'll be spending a lot of time in the sun.
Reviews
The trip included some issues regarding turtle welfare, as we felt the time spent taking pictures was excessive. The boat ride to the Keri caves was enjoyable, and swimming there was a lovely experience. Turtle Island offered a sandy beach for swimming, but the presence of numerous food boats made it less relaxing. The food and drinks were good, though we would have appreciated some chairs. Overall, the further boat journey was satisfactory.
We chose this tour based on its positive reviews, but it turned out to be somewhat disappointing. Initially, we were taken by van to a beach to observe turtle nests for half an hour, but nothing was visible. Then we went by van to Cameo Island, which is essentially free to access, yet we had no time to enjoy it as we had to board the boat, which was overcrowded with 34 people. I did spot one sea turtle swimming around despite the presence of several boats circling it for about 15 minutes, which felt troubling. Following that, we were dropped off at Turtle Island to swim for about an hour, though it actually felt shorter. We then crammed back onto the boat to explore the Keri caves and swim along the way before returning to the Olive-oil museum, which also had a brief story about olive harvesting. While the tour had its nice moments, I wouldn't expect a lot from it.
I had a wonderful experience overall with good scheduling and transportation, as well as a knowledgeable guide who shared plenty of information about the turtles. However, the return ride nearly spoiled everything. We opted to drive to the headquarters in Zakynthos town rather than use the pick-up service. Despite passing through Zakynthos on the way back, the driver did not drop us off at the HQ, instead continuing for an additional 30 minutes. When I inquired, I was told they needed to balance the time in the car for those who were picked up, which seemed illogical to me. I drove to the meeting point while others were picked up, and I found this ending to be quite disappointing and unnecessary. The four stars reflect my enjoyment of the other activities.
I had a wonderful day exploring Turtle Beach and spotting turtles in the ocean. The company was very accommodating, allowing us to change our date when my partner fell ill. The pickup and drop-off were seamless, and the driver was very helpful throughout the experience.
This was a unique experience that is a must-try. We encountered magnificent turtles swimming and explored beautiful caves, where the water was exceptionally clear.
This experience was well-organized and had a friendly atmosphere, operated by Dali Tours and Nautilus. We saw a turtle as promised, enjoyed swim stops in excellent locations, and got close to the natural arches and caves.
The day spent with Dali Tours was exceptional, featuring excellent organization and communication, especially in comparison to other tour companies in Zante. Our driver George was friendly and knowledgeable, picking us up early and providing clear meeting instructions. The smaller boat offered a more intimate experience without the crowds. Visiting the Olive Press first was a smart choice to steer clear of the 4 pm rush. Overall, the tour was flawless, and we even spotted a sea turtle. I highly recommend it.
This was an awful experience. Animal lovers should definitely avoid this activity. The boats actively pursue the turtles and confine them by circling with their vessels. As the turtles attempt to surface, the glass-bottom boats are maneuvered over them for photos. Furthermore, boats illegally dock on Turtle Island, showing a lack of respect for the nests.
The excursion moves at a brisk pace, allowing us to see many locations in a short time. Although we enjoyed visiting numerous sites, we would have preferred to linger a bit longer at each one.
The excursion was enjoyable, featuring a humorous and friendly driver. However, the boat's glass bottom was too small for good visibility, and it felt overcrowded. We had requested a German-speaking guide at the time of booking, but none were available. Despite this, we had a great trip with excellent swimming spots, and our driver George pointed out another beautiful viewpoint on the return journey.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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