While enjoying your Energyia Holistic Holiday retreat in Zakynthos with
Michele Wilburn you will have the chance to learn
about the Caretta caretta turtles.
We can take a boat trip through the
wonderful region of the National Marine Park pf Zakynthos to observe the
Caretta caretta turtles in
their natural environment and swim in the pure crystal waters of the
Ionion Sea and the Keri Caves.
Caretta Caretta Loggerhead Turtles are the symbol of the ecology of the
island of Zakynthos.
 The National Marine Park of Zakynthos is located on the Southern Coast
of the island of Zakynthos. It encompasses the
Marine area of Laganas Bay, the beaches, and a stretch of land adjoining
them.
The National Marine Park of Zakynthos also encompasses the wetland of Keri Lake, and two small islands
of Strophadia, which are situated about fifty miles south of Zante.
Caretta Caretta Loggerhead Turtles
 Loggerhead turtles (Caretta,
Caretta) nest in the Greek islands on
Zakynthos, Zante, which provides the most important nesting area in the
Mediterranean. The objective of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos is to preserve
the natural environment of the island.
The National Marine Park in the Southern part of the island acts as a
refuge for native and migratory fauna; the most important nesting rookery,
a habitat of essential protection, for the Loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta
caretta, is located within the Marine Park. The Marine park also protects
a number of species including birds, reptiles and amphibians, mammals, and
bottlenose dolphins. The Caretta-Caretta sea-turtles lay there eggs at night at the beaches
of Laganas and Gerakas. One of the principles of the Marine Park is the protection of nature through the sustainable development of the region. Your
contribution is essential in supporting their work. National Marine Park Stations are situated throughout the area, where Marine Park rangers act as guides and guards,
providing assistance to ensure that visitors to the Marine Park are informed
and observing guidelines.
Within the Marine area of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos there
are restrictions that tourists are kindly asked to observe
- Underwater fishing is prohibited
- In Zone A, from Gerakas to Kalamaki, fishing is not allowed
- Zone B, in Laganas Bay boats are allowed only with a speed limit of
6 miles per hour; anchoring is not allowed
- Zone C, in the Bay of Limni Keriou to Laganas the same restrictions
apply.
- General legislation prohibits lighting of fires, camping or bivouac.
- You are asked not to pick plants growing in the sand, and especially
not the sea daffodils
- Rubbish must be contained and not thrown away thoughtlessly.
Strict access limitations to beaches
Although these restrictions do not apply to the beach location where
the Energyia Holiday Retreat
holidays is located, there are several beaches
in the main resorts that have strict limitation access to the public,
before sunrise and after sunset. ( approx 7.00am to 7.00pm) You will need to consult a map upon arrival, but if visiting beaches
where turtle nesting is taking place the precautions must be observed
- Umbrellas must not be closer than 5 metres from the waterline
- Digging in dry sand should be avoided, especially where turtle nests
are found
Zakynthos’ Marine Park is located along the southern coast from the
promontory of Marathia’s Cape to the beach of Gerakas, including the
outback of the beaches of Limni Kerì, Laganas and Kalamaki and the
Strofades, two small islands 50 nautical miles southern of Zakynthos. This
area presents the main characteristics of the Mediterranean ecosystem,
with sandy beaches, emerging rocks and sandy dunes, whereas in the outback
there are thick pinewoods, fertile areas for the agriculture and the
Mediterranean landscape with spontaneous vegetation.
The National Marine Park has been founded in 1999 with the main purpose of
defending the particular fauna of the southern part of the island and of
its integration with the local society.
The most important animal specimen to protect are the turtles turtles
Caretta-Caretta and the Mediterranean Seals Monachus-Monachus.
The turtles are all over the areas of the Park and every year they come
back to the sandy beaches south of Zakynthos to breed whereas the seals
are usually seen around the bay of Laganas but they prefer the numerous
caves of the western coast of the island.
In addition to turtles and seals the park intends to protect also other
animal specimen:
Birds: the southern gulf of Zakynthos and the Strofades are usually visited by migrating birds, wild swans, swallows,
kingfishers, and sea gulls.
Reptiles and amphibians: there are many frogs, tortoises, iguanas and soft
water snakes.
Mammals: in the outback there are many porcupines and wild rabbits,
whereas in the park waters it is possible to meet dolphins with the
“bottle muzzle” or Tursiops Truncatus.The symbol of the National Marine
Park of Zakynthos is the turtle and the head office is in Zakynthos, El.
Venizelou street.
UK telephone (0044) (0) 207 2841918
Many of my holiday guests arrive solo or in small groups. Everyone is
welcome! We have a weekly schedule as a holiday outline, which remains
flexible, allowing for spontaneity as your Energyia holistic fitness
activity holiday retreat unfolds.
Location
Tsilivi
National Marine Park
Map
Zante transport
Zakynthos
Back to Top |
