Gerakas beach and turtle rescue center in Zakynthos

How to get there

It is located in the southeast of Zakynthos, about 30 minutes by car from Zakynthos town. The roads are quite good, although as you get closer to the beach, they become narrower.

You can park your car in this parking lot (here) for free. It is a large dirt area, but during the high season, this beach is usually quite crowded, and you might have trouble finding parking during rush hour.

Gerakas Beach

It is a 600-meter-long beach. In some parts, you can find stones, but it is mainly fine sand. In high season, the end of the beach is closed because many tourists were removing clay from the back wall.

The water is crystal clear, highlighting the contrast with the golden and white color of the sand and cliffs. Due to the gentle slope in the first few meters, it is an ideal beach for families, so it tends to be quite busy during the high season.

At the end of the beach is Jason's Bite (here). It is a hole in the wall as if someone had bitten it.

On the opposite side of Jason’s Bite are the white sandstone mountains. It is a unique landscape with clay mountains (here).

This beach is famous for the nesting of loggerhead turtles. The hatching takes place between May and October. If you want more information, you should visit the rescue center; they will advise and guide you on the best way not to negatively impact the cycle. You should note that access to the beach is prohibited between sunset and sunrise during the hatching season.

There are no bars or restaurants on the beach itself, but you will find some next to the turtle rescue center. However, you will find the most expensive umbrellas and sunbeds on the island (30€ per set).

Turtle rescue center

The information and rescue center is located here. Their mission is to protect Caretta caretta turtles (loggerhead turtles) and other marine species on the island of Zakynthos and its surroundings. They are working to prevent harmful tourist development in the area.

There, you will find a lot of information about nesting, frequency, cycles, as well as data on hatchings in recent years. Additionally, they have screens where they show documentaries. They also have feeding schedules for turtles they have rescued and are rehabilitating.