National Marine Park of Zakynthos Zones

During 1 May – 31 October:

Zone A: no vessel may enter or moor / anchor; marked by circular yellow buoys separated by 75 m; no fishing.
Zone B: vessels may enter but maximum speed is 6 knots; no mooring / anchoring; there are 3 lighted buoys.
Zone C / Γ: conical shaped buoys spaced 150 metres; maximum speed is 6 knots; fishing allowed.

In the wider NMPZ area you should travel at low speed to avoid colliding with turtles; no spear fishing is allowed.

Despite these rules, in 2022 there were recorded violations, including 1803 incidents of boats exceeding the 6 knots speed limit, as well as 39 incidents of boats in Zone A, and 79 incidents of boats anchoring in Zone B, both of which are designated Nature Protection Zones.

If a turtle is hit by a vessel this will likely result in a severe injury or even death! In 2022 there were 49 sea turtle strandings recorded on Zakynthos, 43 out of the 49 strandings were dead turtles, and the remaining 6 were injured, with 10 of the incidents being a clear result of a boat collision.

Please follow these rules when you are in the NMPZ to help save sea turtle's lives!

The National Marine Park of Zakynthos is located south of the island and aims to protect and preserve species of flora and fauna, and the Loggerhead Caretta-caretta, promoting sustainable development. The marine area has an extension of 89 km² and is divided into 4 zones (A, B, C and D). Zones A and B of the Marine Park include the beaches where the Caretta-caretta turtles lay and hatch their eggs.

Inside zones A and B it is forbidden:

To put towels, walk or play over 5 metres from the sea, or cross the barrier
Put umbrellas in the sand
Remove the wooden turtle cages that protect the eggs
Light fires or camp
Leave litter on the beach
Fishing

Gerakas Beach (Zone A)

Allowed: Access the beach during daytime (from 7 am till sunset), swim, and observe the turtles keeping a distance of 15 metres.

Prohibited: Remove the clay, walk over 5 metres from the shore, umbrellas/towels/deck chairs beyond 5m from the shore, fish, and navigation.

Gerakas is located south of Dafni and has a length of 600 metres. The beach should not exceed 350 people from 1st May to 31st October. In addition to preserving this important breeding site for turtles, it aims to protect the unique geological formations and the conservation of the landscape.

Dafni Beach (Zone A)

Allowed: Access the beach during daytime (from 7 am till sunset), swim, and observe the turtles keeping a distance of 15 metres.

Prohibited: Remove the clay, walk over 5 metres from the shore, umbrellas/towels/deck chairs beyond 5m from the shore, fish, and navigation.

Sekania Beach (Zone A)

Prohibited: Access by any members of the public land or sea, passage and anchoring of any boat, fishing of any type.

Sekania is situated in the east part of Laganas Bay. The beach has a length of 650 metres and is considered the core of the Marine Park. It is a secluded beach where human activities are not allowed, as 50% of the turtle nests are found here.

Kalamaki (Zone B)

Allowed: Access at the beach during daytime (from 7 am till sunset), swim, observe the turtles keeping a distance of 15 metres, boat access while maintaining a speed of 6 nautical miles.

Prohibited: Mooring and anchoring, walking beyond 5 metres from the shore, umbrellas/towels/deck chairs beyond 5 metres from the shore, fishing.

Kalamaki with its 3,500 metres is the longest and most popular beach in the Marine Park of Zakynthos. Located close to Laganas Beach (zone C of the Marine Park), access to the beach is only allowed during the daytime (from 7 am to sunset). Boats can access this area but speed should not exceed 6 nautical miles and cannot moor or stay.

Marathonisi Beach Island (Zone B)

Allowed: Access at the beach during daytime (from 7 am till sunset), swim, observe the turtles keeping a distance of 15 metres, access by boats at a maximum speed of 6 nautical miles.

Prohibited: Umbrellas, anchoring, walking beyond 5 metres from the shore, towels beyond 5 metres from the shore, fishing.

The beach of Marathonisi Island has a length of 150 metres. The island has the lowest sand temperature, therefore the incubation duration is the highest and as a result, there is a high percentage of male hatchings, making it important to preserve because there is a gender unbalance with 90% of turtle hatchlings being female. The maximum limit of visitors is 200.