Glass Bottomed Boat Trip

Zante Excursions

Daniel M          10/10

During our holiday mid July 14, we had the chance to be hosted by Mario's glass bottom cruise. For us as family with teenagers, it was a great chance to spend an pleasure full day. Short time feeling as for the full day program Mario did show us several places, as many caves but also the public area at the turtle island. Very careful and under hugh respect on the turtles, Mario does know where to drive his boat as to participate but also to show those very curious looking turtles. Also we had the chance to go for swim and snorkel around as much as we wanted (..and where it was adapters to go..) and there for it became a very complete day of enjoy and pleasant. Although Mario was even so friendly and very helpful to the family on the same trip with small kids (...even one baby 10 month..) to give some space and time to keep all participants together. You really will go with Mario on his cruises and to discover the south part of Zakinthos, with his very personalized service. Cheers

Lauren G

I would not recommnend glass bottoms boats they all had oil leaking out of them and they bombarded a poor female turtle. They are endagered species during there important nesting period. I would recommend going with a environmentally friendly company for the turtle island cruise.

Lauren G

I recently went on a Turtle Island Cruise which was booked through Thomson's before we left. The boat was an Environmentally Friendly which meant the boat had no environmental impact and there was no way the turtles could be injured from the boat. It was a great day we got to go to turtle island to go for a swim. When we then travelled on to search for turtles there was three glass bottom boats (all with oil leaking out of the back of them) it made me very upset to see that they were all ramming very quickly up to the turtles. Of course you have paid to see turtles but they are endagered species during there nesting period this poor female turtle trying to get to land should not of been bombarded by huge boats like that. We did get to see a turtle once the other boats had left but we kept our distance I would not recommend glass bottom boats.

Colette S

where to find the bottom glass boat to go to keri caves and which company to book by phone please?

Jo M          9/10

Just back from a week in Zante with my son (10 years old).  Booked the glass bottom boat trip in Tsilivi for 28 Euros for us both; good value I reckon for an afternoon (pick up at 1.30pm, back to Tsilivi at 6pmish).  Great because there weren't too many people on the boat - we saw a turtle not long after leaving the harbour.  Plenty of time for swimming too.  My only groan is.... Please folks don't throw ciggy butts into the water!!  Surely this lovely environment is worth protecting?

Paula W          10/10

Just got back from Zante (6th - 20th May 2010); Went to Laganas for the day and there were boat trips to see the turtles running from the beach. A bit sceptical but we went back a few days later to take one of the trips, they were only running the packaged trip of turtle finding, visit to the caves and a visit to the beach on one of the islands. we were told the visit would be about 2 and a half hours but were actually out for over three hours. We spent about an hour and a half looking for tutrles of which we saw qutie a few. We then went to look at the caves and spent about 45 minutes on the beach/swimming in the sea. On the way back we saw more turtles. I would recommend this trip to anyone - but strongly suggest you book with the people on the beach rather than the operators in the towns as we have heard stories that when people went on the visits with these operators they didn't see any turtles. The people selling the trips on the beach in Laganas guarantee your money back if you don't see turtles - thankfully we didn't have to try and get out money back.

Mel S

Presuming we're reviewing the same one lol, i HATE boats but to be honest, even i enjoyed this trip.  Ok we only saw 1 turtle but surely as they're not remote controlled, you can never guarantee seeing them?  But we saw one, then we had a cruise around turtle island, then a swim stop, and also up to Keri caves, and then back, whole trip lasted about 3 hours and was well worth the money.  It has almost quashed my fear of boats too.

Richard C          7/10

we went on this boat a couple of years ago to see the turtles, it was ok its a case of hit and miss as the turtles only pop up when they wanna! my advice to anyone wanna to see the loggerheads is to rent a jetski on the beack at alykes/ alikanas my mate almost ran a turtle over they were that close to us. Well worth a go!

 

Rachael W           

  We loved it.... booked it at a little shop by the beach boys bar on the beach. paid about 16 euros each

 
we also only saw the turtles for a brief time but what do u expect its not gonna pose for a photo you know. also we went to the caves which was great, just outside the caves we stopped and we were all able to jump of and have a swim for half hour or so. After that we stopped off at a little cove and were able to do some snorkeling or exploring.
I dont know what u people want for 15-20 euros. we had a great few hours and have fantastic memories
 
 
 

Tony            

we booked with pelagros tour to go and see keri caves and turtle island with a small glass bottomed boat ((22 people in the boat)) we payed 22 euros each.  if your lucky you will see the turtles for about 2 secs or under the boat for 5 secs   we went in the keri caves for about 2 mins  arhhhhhhhhhhh...   diddnt get much photos of it and we only got to stay on the island for about 30 mins    overall rubbish , overpriced and would not recomend it .    but the island was very nice but not worth the amount of money they charge   

Pat H           

PLEASE do NOT take one of these trips to view the Turtles.  Alot of  the owners run the risk of distressing the turtles in their eagerness to show us tourists a Turtle. They have even been known to lift the Turtles out of the water to show the people on the boat!!  The Turtles have to dive to get away from these boats and after having swum thousands of miles to get back to lay their eggs they have to keep out of the way of these boats.  Sometimes they even drop their eggs whilst still in the sea because they are so distressed and therefore we have managed to wipeout a brood of Turtles without even realising!!

DO NOT accept guided tours to see Turtles hatching - again this disturbs the babies and they get confused by the torchlights and people tramping around and end up not making it into the sea and dying before they have even got wet!!

Book with Dionysos tours who run a tour round the bay on a large boat which is high out of the water and you can see the turtles up close without distressing them or hurting them in any way.  You also get a trip round Marathonisi Island, a swim stop and a stop off at Limni for some chips in a local taverna.  The guide used to be a guy called Graham who I believe is now retired, he was very passionate about these little critters and shall be missed  - PLEASE do NOT take a pedalo or a speed boat as these can kill or injure the turtles - DISPOSE of your plastic bags/bottles when you get back to your hotel/apartment as if they end up in the sea these also kill the turtles in a very slow and painful way

Please help save the Caretta Caretta visit these sites: www.medasset.gr  OR  www.natureworldtravel.com 

Siobhan P

Who shall I book a glass bottomed boat trip with in Kalamaki? Last year I went with Smiles Tours and it wasnt glass bottomed! Thanks

Nicola D           

Wasn't glass bottomed but went onto a small boat from Laganas beach, goes out for an hour, 10 euros each and if u see no turtle money back....apparantly!

Enjoyed this trip, saw 2 turtles and managed to get some good photos, guides really know their stuff and is good to learn about them as well as spotting!
Catch boats from a small stand situated as you enter the beach from the main strip to the left.
 
Would recommend to everyone who visits Laganas, even those who get sea sick! I do but I was fine as the boats don't rock much!

Diane W           

click to enlarge

The picture shows Julie and myself on the boat going over to Turtle Island. We booked it from a chap on Laganas beach. During the stop on the island we got to see a baby turtle.

Laura            

hated it! saw 1 turtle from the deck and it was really far away and the glass bottom is pointless they don't take you anywhere worthy of the clear bottom - just sand and rocks.
Supposed to be a 3 hours trip - after 4 hours with not a mention of docking got really unhappy. you could say value for money but i'd say the loss of an hours holiday!!! 

Mike S           

We left Tsilivi at 9:50 and arrived Laganas 10:30, so outward everything was fine. The day was reasonable. We saw just one Turtle. The swimming was good - no jelly fish! We arrived back more or less on time.

However, when we transferred to the coach for Tsilivi it all went wrong. The coach went into the country to pick up another group, instead of an 3/4 hour journey it was approaching 2 hours return! WE WEREN'T TOLD SO BEWARE! 

Paul J           

Went on Marios boat trip back in 2001, then visited again in 2003 and going back this year.Out of all the things to do, i enjoyed the day out. The trip takes you alround the Island and the sea breeze with the heat is great if you want to sun bathe. I would recommend this trip to anyone. Mario is a friendly local chap who knows about the island, the trip is cheap and a great day.  I have stayed in Gerakas twice and this time going to Argassi, but will go on this tirp again! Highly recommended.... The only thing i would do is take some sun cream and sea sick tablets if you dont like boat trips!

Lesley S           

just returned from kalamaki where we took 2 turtle trips the first was with Smile tours just next door to mermaids we were told it was a glass bottomed boat and that you go on turtle island  Wrong!!!!! it was a great big boat jam packed and we sailed straight past turtle island and never saw any turtles we went back to get our money back to be told that we never went in glass bottomed boat because there were too many people and that nobody is allowed on turtle island (completly untrue) Cry.we were so dissapointed with this tour we went and booked another one with carretta carretta tours it is situated just past Sofias supermarket  they offer to give you your money back if you dont see any turtles what a fantastic day!Smile it was a glass bottomed boat and there were only 8 of us on it the captain took us straight to a massive turtle it was sitting directly under the boat  we then went on to see a few more before going to keri caves and we went inside some of them something the big boat could not do then we stopped for swimming then went to turtle island i actually drove the boat back from keri caves to turtle island!Stayed on turtle island for an hour for swimming there is a couple of boats there to buy ice cream rolls drinks etc but be warned they are very very expensive so take plenty of drinks with you also take some bread or crisps to throw in the sea and you will  see hundreds of fish come up to eat them.dont forget your cameras and suncream this trip cost 15 euros for adults and kids over 5 half price and kids under 5 freeThis really is a trip you must do .ClapClapClapClap

Gill S           

We have just returned from Tsilivi and we went on a glass bottom boat trip which was organised by a place which was situated on the main tsilivi road going towards the planos area it is on the left hand side of the road before you get to bars like two brothers , deanos and ark etc. It was 15 euros for adults and 7.50 for children and it was worth every cent!!It was called Carretta tours..it was a trip that lasted from 11 ish til 4.30ish and that included the transfer to laganas where the boat went from.They guarantee you see turtles and we did , they took us to the blue caves and inside them, here they stop for a while so you can swim but beware of the jelly fish that you cant see!!!!!also you get a guy who sails up on his boat selling Fruit, Doughuts, icecreams , beer , soft drinks and a few other things , then they take you to turtle island where you stay for about an  hour.This trip is great its well worth doing . 

Michelle B           

Took a 1 hour trip from Laganas beach on small catamaran. 10 euros each and bartered them down to kids half price. We saw lots of turtles, including one huge one which the driver reckoned was 100 yrs old. It really was amazing to see them so close. Thouroughly enjoyed it. 

Dave G           

Message for Jayne King Marios boat leaves from Porto Roma you book the trip at Mais supermarket in Vassilikos.
Dave.

Gemma

Does anyone know if there is any glass bottom boat rides from Alykanas? If so, which is the best to book with?
Gemma x

Gemma

Does anyone know if there is any glass bottom boat rides from Alykanas? If so, which is the best to book with?
Gemma x

Jayne K           

Where can I find Marios glass bottom boat trip to turtle island, we are going in June 2005 and are staying in Tsilivi. Would appreciate any information.

Diane W           

My sister Julie and myself booked a turtle trip with someone on Laganas beach and cost 15 euros each because it was the end of the holiday season.

We went out to Marathonissi (Turtle island)and also to see Marathonissi caves and went right in to them. The sea was lovely and smooth and we stopped off at the beach of turtle island and seen a Caretta caretta baby. Isn't it wonderful that these turtles will return to the island 25 years later to lay their eggs and they live to about 100 years old? Everyone crowded around the baby and took photos of it. A guide told everyone not to touch it and it was making it's way to the sea. We were very lucky to have seen one.
I will go to Turtle Island again in the near future. Next September if we are lucky enough to be returning to Zackynthos.
From Diane Wilsher