Greece holds some of the most important loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nesting beaches in the Mediterranean, and you can see these turtles in the wild without disturbing them. The Ionian island of Kefalonia, where we have run holidays for years, is one of the most reliable places of all: turtles feed daily in Argostoli harbour and nest on the island's south coast beaches through the summer.
Where can you see sea turtles in Greece?
The most reliable spots are the Ionian and western Greek beaches where loggerheads nest and feed in shallow, sheltered bays. In Kefalonia, turtles gather almost every morning in Argostoli harbour near the fish market, and nest on beaches such as Mounda and Kaminia in the south.
- Kefalonia (Argostoli harbour and the south-coast nesting beaches). Our home island and the focus of this guide.
- The wider Ionian and western Peloponnese, where the same population nests.
- Parts of Crete and the Peloponnese monitored by conservation groups.
What kind of turtles live in Greek waters?
Almost every turtle you will see in Greece is the loggerhead, Caretta caretta, named for its large head and powerful jaws. Green turtles and the occasional leatherback also pass through the eastern Mediterranean, but the loggerhead is the species that nests on Greek beaches. We cover the species in detail in our loggerhead turtle guide.
When is the best time to see them?
Turtles are present from late spring to early autumn. Females nest from roughly late May to early August, and hatchlings emerge from late July into October. For harbour feeding sightings in Argostoli, early morning across the whole summer is dependable. See our month-by-month timing guide.
How do you see them without harming them?
Sea turtles are a protected species. Keep your distance, never touch or feed them, and stay well away from marked nests on the beach. Local groups including Wildlife Sense, the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, and the Katelios Group protect Kefalonia's turtles. Our responsible viewing guide explains the simple rules.
See them on a Kefalonia holiday
The easiest way to share the water with loggerheads is from a boat. On our Kefalonia sailing holidays you sail the quiet south and west coast bays where turtles feed, and our beach club week puts you a short hop from Argostoli harbour. For everything else the island offers, see our guide to things to do in Kefalonia. Browse the holidays below, or talk to our team, who have all seen the turtles themselves.
