On 3^rd August we left Zakinthos town trickling on genoa and then motoring in light winds the 13n miles to Keri bay. The bay on the south tip of Zakinthos is a protected marine ‘sanctuary’ for the loggerhead turtles which migrate from Africa all the way to Zakinthos, Greece to lay their eggs in the sand of this protected south east facing bay.  Kolpas Laganas bay has prohibited zones , effectively no entry during the ‘turtle season’, other areas boats can pass through at less than 6 knots but not anchor and in Keri bay it is possible to anchor.

The enforcements are admirable, however, the most commercial tourist town on the island is Lagana…. right in the middle of the sandy bay.   In 1995 when we stayed at a nearby resort, the turtle protection group were covering nests and marking them to prevent sunbathing tourists from pushing their sun umbrellas into the unseen nests.

Today the beaches are overrun and the full scale development on the seashore means that artificial lights line the bay. However the turtles are still breeding and laying eggs and the prohibited zones seem to be adhered to by visiting yachts but local day trip and hire boats whizz around the bay at speed well in excess of 6 knots, anchoring at will.

A very curious feature is the Marathia Island in the centre of Kolpas Laganas bay. From the south east approaching the bay the island looks just like a turtle with its head and shell showing, what’s more strange is from the south and then the west of the bay you see different parts of the island and with the positioning of some of the cliff rocks its then appears to be a turtle with its right side flippers showing.

Surely this must be part of the reason that loggerhead turtles have chosen this location for centuries to lay their eggs?? Turtle worship amongst turtles?? Turtle god of fertility?? Must Google it!!

We enjoyed a glorious 2 days at anchor in the bay away from the busy waterfronts……. swinging on anchor just like the Caribbean. We would have stayed longer but a force 5/6 plus was forecast across the bay and whilst the sea state would have been fine we decided that we didn’t want to be on anchor watch at night.

So we set sail at 06.55 on 5^th August in a 7 t knot easterly to sail north up the west coast of Zakinthos the 40 + n miles to Argostoli on Kefalonia. Distances are not so great by car but sailing is slow.

We motored around the south tip of Zakinthos in very light winds, suddenly raising to 23 knots and then 29/30 knots true.  The sails went up and down as we picked up accelerated wind from the striking cliff/ cave and rock formations. After 28 n miles we were bombing along with a reefed sail in 24 t knots.

At 1700 hrs. , after 12 hours, we moored stern to the waterfront of Kefalonias capital town, Argostoli.

Photos of …..

Keri Bay and various photos of Marathia island looking like a ‘turtle’.

Sailing to Argostoli and the wonderful rugged west coastline and caves of Zakinthos.

Love to all

T and T x x