The Caretta Caretta is one of Zaknythos favourite visitors.  They are a species of endangered logger head turtle that are still living in the Mediterranean. One of the only species that has not changed form since the prehistoric days.   They can be a considerable size with the largest measuring about 120cm and weighing 140Kg.  However dispite of their size, they are very fast and can reach as much as 30 km per hour in the water and can live up to 140 years.

Every year, hundreds of couples return to their birthplace to mate and lay their eggs along the beaches of the Laganas Gulf.  The nesting period is from June to August, where the females swim around the island and eventually come to all the beaches of the Laganas Gulf to spawn.  Each brood contains about 120 eggs but only about 60% hatch approximately 50 days later.

Human presence, noise and lights disturb the turtles and may cause problems to their breeding. Because of this human activity is absolutely restricted in all the beaches and access to the bay after sunset it strictly forbidden. The Caretta Caretta can be seen swimming in many bays around the island along with the Mediteranian Monk Seal (Monahous Monahous), which is another endangered species that lives in Zakynthos.