Marathonisi (Turtle) Island

The Greek Island that looks like a turtle

In the bay of Laganas, near Marathia in Keri, there is a tiny island, a real oasis in the Ionian waters.

Marathonisi, which has the shape of a turtle, belongs to the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (which means that mooring is prohibited here), while it has been included in the Natura 2000 protection program, as it has been a place of reproduction for the loggerhead sea turtles.

The golden, sandy “tongue” that seems to penetrate the crystal clear, turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea is its striking feature. Τhere is another shingle beach on the island, where two small sea caves are located. Neither of the two beaches is organized, thus maintaining completely intact the natural beauty of the landscape around the lush olive, oak and pine trees.

The impressive caves are among the things worth seeing on the island. In some of them swimming is also allowed in order to discover sea stars and impressive rocks. Marathonisi can only be reached by private or tourist boats.

It is a private island, which was inhabited until World War II, while today it remains uninhabited.