An excursion to the turtle island or Prison island combines a sea voyage in blue Indian Ocean and a visit to an abandoned prison and turtle park, home to a colony of giant tortoises.

Important!!! Do not hesitate to buy this tour. In the article below, I will tell you how easy and cheap it is to organize this mini cruise for yourself and get the sea unforgettable experience.

Officially, you can feed turtles on the island, they give everyone who buys an entrance ticket - a bunch of grass

Prison island on the map of Zanzibar:

How to visit Prison island (turtle island Zanzibar) on your own:

• If you are in Stone Town, plan 2.5 - 3 hours for this tour. If not in Stone Town, consider how to get to the capital.
• The map shows a point on the beach in Stone Town itself. Here you can rent a boat. The more people you will be, the cheaper the price for each. There were three of us, for three the starting price for the boat was $30, but we easily dropped the price to $20.
• This price includes: a motorboat with a captain, transfer in both directions and waiting while you walk around the island of turtles. This is what the boat looks like.

We swim to the island of turtles in a race with other tourists

• The journey takes 30 minutes one way across the very blue Indian Ocean.
• The recommended time to visit Prison Island is daily until 14:00. Turtles that freely crawl around the island feed on the stalks of some kind of grass, this grass is given to every tourist who pays the entrance ticket. You can feed the turtles until 14:00, respectively, after this time, they don’t give anything to incoming tourists, and the turtles are not so active and not hungry.

• The boat will bring you directly to the beach of the island, drop you off and wait until you work up.
• Turtle Island is very small, but nevertheless divided into two independent parts. First: the turtle park, where a whole colony lives, more than 500 turtles. Entrance here costs $4 per person. For this money, you get a bunch of grass that you can feed free crawling turtles. Second: an abandoned prison with amazing ocean views, admission is free.

• There is a small restaurant on Prison Island where you can drink a cold beer or order a meal, but the prices here are three times higher than the average for the island.
• It took us an hour and a half to go around the whole island and see everything.
• The way back takes the same 30 minutes.
• Total: 2.5 hours, 10-11 dollars per person and no guides or intermediaries. An excursion to Prison Island is easy to organize on your own.

After reading the whole article, I hope you understand that the best time to visit - this is the first half of the day. We made the mistake of planning the whole day. When you are brought back and dropped off on the same beach where you started, then in 10 minutes you can walk to the very center of Stone Town Forodani Gardens. From there everything is within walking distance. Choose any.

In addition to turtles, peacocks and guinea fowl live on the island. More details in the article at the link.

They will help you get a general idea of ​​what awaits you in this archipelago, including smaller islands such as Prison Island.

In conclusion: It doesn't matter how far away you are from Stone Town. If you are in Zanzibar, then you must allocate time to visit the island's prized island, the island of turtles. The photo above hopefully convinced you.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: below are the main resources without which you cannot organize your vacation in Zanzibar (immediately add the necessary to your bookmarks):

Air travel:– the cheapest tickets to Zanzibar via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha or Muscat.

Ready tours: — tours to Zanzibar from 60,000 rubles. (You can find a direct charter Moscow - Zanzibar)

Hotels:– hotels on the island with 50% discounts, work with Booking, Ostrovok, Trivago.

Villas, bungalows and hotels on the first line:- There are exclusive options at great prices.

Car rental:- the world leader in car rental, in Zanzibar too.

Extended medical insurance: – cooperate directly with the Zanzibar Hospital and Clinic. When buying insurance, free online medical consultation 24\7 during your trip!

Zakkynthos Island in recent times has become very popular among Russian tourists, despite the fact that not all tour operators offer trips to this piece of Greece.
The reason is that many are already pretty fed up with Turkish all-inclusive and crowds of Russian tourists traveling around the islands of Crete and Rhodes. And I want something unusual, colorful and unknown.


All this you can find on the island of Zakynthos, which is located in the western part of the country, washed by the waters of the Adriatic Sea. Since antiquity, the island has been famous for its snow-white cliffs, abundant vegetation and underwater caves.
Of the attractions of this place, it should be noted legendary blue grottoes.
The island is also proud of its fourteen-kilometer beach with white sand and clear azure water.
In general, the area of ​​Zakynthos is small, so many tourists who come here on vacation usually rent a car and explore the territory on their own. In principle, it is possible to travel around the entire island in one day.


At the end of August and at the beginning of September, the largest flow of travelers to this picturesque Greek corner, because it is during this period that offspring appear on the shore gigantic sea ​​turtles caretta - caretta. You can only imagine this touching sight in Lagana Bay, it is not surprising that many people are so eager to come here.
The authorities of the island protect these unusual inhabitants in every possible way and do not recommend taking the young generation of turtles in their arms in this national park.
Even those places where turtles lay their eggs in July are carefully guarded by park workers so that no one accidentally damages them. In general, the Greeks show themselves to be very nice and friendly people, not only in their love for nature, but also for guests from other countries.
There is no such traveler who, returning from the homeland of democracy, would not be pleasantly surprised by the Greek hospitality.
There are not many expensive hotels with isolated beaches on Zakynthos, but this is not what tourists come here for. They are attracted by the pristine beauty of the island, and the Hellenic flavor. The islanders willingly rent out their accommodation, pamper guests with home cooking and offer various excursions. Even if you are not a car enthusiast, or for some other reason do not want to rent a car, then local buses they constantly travel around the island, so the only thing left is to plan the route.
Besides, locals Willingly take you where you ask for a moderate fee. The only problem is the language barrier. In view of the fact that Russians do not often visit the island, the Greeks do not really strive to master the Slavic speech, therefore it would be nice to learn at least English.


In the north of Zakynthos are the aforementioned blue caves, the waters in these places are simply incredible beauty, shades of blue, turquoise, and azure blue. You can easily take a yacht excursion to these places and swim in these incredible lagoons.
Arriving here in the middle of summer, you can get to music festivals classical music which are held under open sky.
And although tours to this island are still slightly more expensive for Russians than to others Greek resorts, this does not stop them, especially since now there are direct flights to this piece of land. True, these flights are not so frequent, so sometimes you have to make a transfer in Athens. The second way to Turtle Island goes through the sea. For many, such a transfer is even more to their liking, because a trip on a ferry or a yacht is almost the same cruise.
Have a nice trip and bright impressions!!!

The visiting card of the island of Zakynthos is Navagio Bay with turquoise water and a pirate ship. Photographs of Zakynthos in popularity and recognition can only compete with Santorini. Giant turtles Caretta, blue caves with grottoes, what else attracts tourists to this Greek island? Where to stay and what to bring as a memory of Zakynthos?

Navagio Bay

The island of Zakynthos (Zakynthos, Zante) is part of the Ionian Islands, being the third largest after Corfu and Kefalonia. The favorable climate of these places is good for lush vegetation, and for recreation. We have long dreamed of going to Zakynthos, so we followed the special offers. It turned out to be cheaper to buy ready-made than air tickets.

Direct flights from Moscow to Zakynthos are single flights or charters during the season. You can always fly to Zakynthos with a transfer in Athens or through Europe. Look at the prices and find a convenient option using the low price calendar.

Where to stay in Zakynthos

A significant proportion of foreign tourists in Zakynthos are the British, unfortunately, they have turned the most big bay islands into a noisy party place. But what is suitable for young people is not suitable for families with children and people who prefer relaxing holiday. The main thing is to decide where your place is in Zakynthos. With geographic point vision, everything is clear: on the southern and eastern coasts - sandy beaches, on the northern and western - rocks.

Laganas- the very English place where they come to discos and bars. Our tour also included accommodation at the Laganas hotel, we spent one night there. Laganas Hotels
The advantages of Laganos are that it is close to the airport and everything is well represented in it. tourist services. We had no difficulty finding a place for a late dinner and quickly rented a car from one of the many rent a car. In the high season the car is better.

Kalamaki is located east of Laganas on one long beach. Not so active here. night life and the sandy coast is surrounded by rocks. Kalamaki Hotels

Vasilikos (Vasilikos) — small village in the south-east of the island offers accommodation in family apartments. Nearby are located good beaches: Agios Nikolaos, Gerakas, Dafni and Porto Roma, where people come to practice water sports. Vasilikos Hotels

Argasi located 4 km from Zakynthos. Despite the narrow beach, it is popular with tourists. Argasi Hotels

Main resort areas with hotels located above (north) of the capital of the island, the city of Zakynthos: Tsilivi, Alykanas, Alykes. They are suitable for families with children and fans of all-inclusive.
Tsilivi Hotels
Alykanas Hotels
Alykes Hotels

in the capital Zakynthos city There are several good hotels on the promenade next to the city beach, shops and restaurants. Zakynthos Hotels

We lived in the southwest of the island in a fishing village Limni Keri. This is very quiet place overlooking the island of Marathonisi and beautiful beach. Cheap apartments for rent in Limni Keri (from €20 for a 2-bed studio). Our host Shula spoke fluent English and we became friends with all her hospitable family.
All accommodation options on Zakynthos

Interesting places and excursions in Zakynthos

Zakynthos is attractive, first of all, for its natural beauty. An earthquake that occurred in 1953 destroyed almost all the buildings on the island.

In the city of Zakynthos the church of St. Dionysius, the patron saint of the island and the most revered saint, has been preserved. Nearby stands a large bell tower and a bust of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, who freed ionian islands from the French. In Zakynthos it is good to walk along the seaside avenue, have lunch, buy souvenirs or do shopping on pedestrian street Alexandrou Roma. Around Zakynthos are all the big supermarkets.

2 km from Zakynthos Stranis Hill (Bochali) remains Venetian fortress from here you get the best panoramic views.

National marine park Zakynthos in 1999 it was declared a protected area, since the giant tortoise Caretta-Caretta lays its eggs here. The park is located in the bay of Laganas, the egg-laying places are fenced and guarded. Carriage turtle can be seen swimming near the shore. Boat trips are organized from Laganas and Kalamaki, you can take a catamaran.

Blue Caves located at the northernmost Cape Cape skinari. You can get here from organized tour or by your own car (drive to Agios Nikolaos and take a boat). Boats sail along the rugged shore, under large stone arches, and enter the grotto.

Similar caves are located at the opposite end of the island in Keri ( Keri caves). Glass-bottom boats depart from Limni Keri port. We rode one of them along the route: turtles in Laganas Bay - Marathonisi Island - Keri Caves (3 hours, €15). We saw the turtle Caretta, laying eggs on the island of Marathonisi, snorkeled.

Navagio Bay (Navagio or Shipwreck) located in a place inaccessible from the shore. To take the most photogenic pictures from above, you need to get to observation platform near the village of Anafonitria. The steel platform above the chasm can accommodate 2 people, so we waited in line, but were rewarded with a fantastic view. Navagio beach itself offers boat trips from all tourist centers on the island.

on the rocky west coast there are picturesque bays where you can get on your own, swim, snorkel, catamaran or boat: Porto Roxa and Porto Limnionas.

The most beautiful sunset in Zakynthos at the lighthouse in the village of Keri. Since we lived nearby, we went to watch the sunset several times. Along the way is the biggest Greek flag and a restaurant with beautiful view on the white rocks. Near the village of Agalas there is a cave of Damian (Damianos cave), and next to Kambi - the remains of the Mycean cemetery.

What to bring in memory of Zakynthos

The most important souvenir of Zakynthos is the Caretta turtle. Absolutely everything is sold with a turtle, children really like soft toys. We bought a magnetic turtle.

In Zakynthos, they make branded marshmallows and other sweets; olive oil and honey are traditionally popular. In the restaurants of Zakynthos, it is worth trying Zakynthos rabbit. The dry white wine produced in Zakynthos is called Verdea. We got to the wine festival, which took place on September 13 in Limni Keri, with a tasting and a concert, similar musical events are held in different parts islands.

Photographs of all shades of turquoise water, lush greenery, sunsets, turtles and, of course, the famous bay of Navagio are brought from Zakynthos.

If you are going to Zakynthos for a week, then you will have time to see everything, and if for two, then you can go on a one-day excursion to neighboring island Kefalonia or the Peloponnese peninsula (to Ancient Olympia). Ferry tickets for Greek islands on the