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6 Hours
Daily Tour
8 people
English
The southern waters of Zakynthos as the day begins to cool. The turtles are still out. The caves glow differently in the evening light.
There is something about the southern coast of Zakynthos in the late afternoon that the morning version cannot quite match. The heat softens. The water settles. The light turns everything a deeper shade of blue. And the turtles — as the sun begins to descend — are drawn towards the shore.
Your evening begins at your accommodation. A private transfer brings you to the port of Zakynthos, where the Catalina is waiting. By 16:00 you are on the water, heading south into the National Marine Park.
The two destinations are fixed. Everything else — the order, the pace, the stops along the way — belongs to your skipper and the conditions of the evening.
At Marathonisi the boat slows and the engine drops to a murmur. The Caretta caretta turtles surface here in the protected bay, as they have done for thousands of years. As the sun begins to set, something remarkable happens — it is the signal the turtles have been waiting for. The fading light draws them towards the shore to nest, and in the evening hours the bay comes alive with them in a way the morning simply cannot match. Your skipper knows exactly where to be. Stay quiet, stay still, and watch. The chances of a sighting at this hour are as good as they get.
At the Keri Caves the evening light does something to the water that is worth seeing. The green that the caves are known for deepens as the afternoon turns, and the rock takes on a warmth it doesn’t have in the morning. You drift inside by boat. There are swim stops here — the water is still warm from the day, and there is no rush to leave it.
At 22:00 the Catalina returns to port. Your transfer takes you home.
M/Y Catalina — Italian Elegance on the Ionian
There is a particular kind of elegance that Italian design does effortlessly — clean lines, understated luxury, and a quality of finish that feels considered rather than showy. The Catalina is exactly that. Built by Cranchi, one of Italy’s most respected yacht makers, and fully refitted in 2020, she is a boat that balances performance with comfort in a way that very few vessels in this class manage. Fast enough to cover the coastline of Zakynthos with ease, unhurried enough to linger where it counts. On deck, the wide bathing platform and floating island invite you to take your drinks directly in the sea. A premium Bluetooth sound system means the soundtrack to your day is entirely your own. Below deck, two air-conditioned private cabins offer a level of comfort that turns a day cruise into something closer to a private retreat. Up to 8 guests. A crew of 2. And a boat that makes every stretch of the Ionian feel like it was made for you.
| Shipyard | Cranchi |
| Model | Smeraldo 37 |
| Length | 37ft |
| Year Built | 2007 — fully refitted 2020 |
| Guests | Up to 8 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Staterooms | 2 |
| Power | 2 x 300 HP Volvo |
| Top Speed | 36 knots |
| Cruising Speed | 25 knots |
Yes — this cruise is specifically designed around Marathonisi island and the Keri caves. The order in which they are visited, the time spent at each, and any additional stops nearby are down to your skipper and the conditions on the day.
The Catalina accommodates up to 8 guests.
Yes. A private transfer will collect you from your hotel, villa or any other accommodation on the island and bring you to the port of Zakynthos. The same transfer takes you home at the end of the day.
Snacks, fresh fruit, water, wine, beer, coffee and soft drinks are all included and served throughout the cruise. No meals are included on this cruise.
Yes — at the caves and at any other spot your skipper finds worth stopping at along the way.
Safety always comes first. If sea conditions are unsuitable, we will reschedule you on the next available date at no extra cost, or offer a full refund if you are unable to join a future cruise.
No minimum — the boat is yours regardless of how many people are in your group, up to a maximum of 8.
Yes, children are welcome on board accompanied by an adult.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a towel. Swimwear of course. A light cover-up for the breeze when the boat is moving. Everything else is taken care of.
The price is for the entire boat — not per person. VAT is included.
Sea turtles are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. However the evening is genuinely the best time to visit Marathonisi for turtle watching. As the sun sets, the fading light signals the turtles to come ashore to nest — the population near the shore increases significantly and sightings are at their most likely. Your skipper knows exactly where to position the boat. Stay quiet, stay still, and wait.
The southern waters of the National Marine Park take on a different quality in the late afternoon — the light deepens, the heat softens, and the caves glow with a warmth they don't have in the morning. Most importantly, the setting sun draws the loggerhead turtles towards the shore to nest, making the evening the best time of day to see them in the greatest numbers.
Zante Voyage, Agiou Dionisiou, Zakinthos, Greece
Zante Voyage, Agiou Dionisiou, Zakinthos, Greece
Zante Voyage, Agiou Dionisiou, Zakinthos, Greece
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