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Welcome to Cameo Island, a small rocky island, bathed by crystal-clear Mediterranean water. Its snorkeling spot, easily accessible from the Greek island of Zakynthos, is one of the best in Europe for swimming with sea turtles. Snorkeling in Cameo is not to be missed when you are visiting Zakynthos!

Cameo Island snorkeling entry point
View over the northern shores of Cameo Island. On the right, at the foot of the ladder, is the recommended water entrance.

How to get to the Cameo Island snorkeling spot

Cameo Island is a small private island located south of Zakynthos, in Laganas Bay. To get there, you must reach the small port of Agios Sostis, which is at the southern tip of Laganas Beach. The island is just a little over 100 yards from the coast and is linked to the port by a wooden pedestrian bridge. The entry fee to the island is $5 per person.

If you prefer to visit the location by boat, you’ll find that there are several tours in town that will take you snorkeling with the turtles.

Cameo Island snorkeling with turtles map
Cameo Island snorkeling map, Zakynthos.

Water entrance for snorkeling Cameo Island

The recommended water entry point for snorkeling the northern area (snorkeling area 1 on the map above, which offers the best turtle-watching) is about 50 yards after the end of the bridge, at the foot of the ladders going up. Steps are carved into the cliff leading down to the shore, where a floating platform is installed in the summer.

For snorkeling the southern area (area 2 on the map), you can enter the water from the small beach (entry 2).

Snorkeling tips for swimming with sea turtles in Cameo Island

Loggerhead turtles can be found all around Cameo Island, as well as at Laganas Beach. However, for the best chance of seeing them, we recommend the area located to the north of the island and the footbridge (the one indicated on the map above). The probability of encountering them here is higher than anywhere else.

Loggerhead sea turtle at Cameo Island, Laganas Bay
A loggerhead sea turtle at Cameo Island. Sea turtles visit the area for feeding on the small algae growing on shallow rocks.

The area visited by the sea turtles features rocky and sandy beds, with an average depth of 6-12ft/2-4m. To find the turtles, look for other snorkelers already in the water, or at the small tour boats that visit the spot.

Otherwise, crisscross the area. Cameo Island is known as one of the best spots in Europe for swimming with turtles (together with Green Bay, Cyprus). While the chances of seeing the turtles during your time snorkeling at this spot are high, we cannot guarantee that you’ll spot them.

European seabass at Cameo Island
In addition to sea turtles, you will encounter several types of fish, such as the European seabass.

In Zakynthos, there are loggerhead turtles (Carreta carreta). They come to breed in the region and lay eggs on the sandy beaches of the island. Loggerhead turtles live in all the oceans of the world, but it is exceptional to be able to observe them when snorkeling (in tropical seas, the green sea turtle and the hawksbill sea turtle are the most common).

As always with sea turtles, keep in mind the basic observation rules: do not touch them, do not chase them, and give them enough space when they come up to the surface to breathe.

Cameo Island's main beach.
Cameo Island’s main beach (Cameo Beach), on the opposite side of the main snorkeling area. Even if turtles are less abundant near the beach, it still has good snorkeling.

Apart from turtles, there is not much underwater life around Cameo Island. In rocky areas, you can still come across small shoals of salema, wrasse, seabass and seabream.

Restaurants and accommodation near Cameo Island

There is a bar installed on Cameo Beach, but it is closed when the island is privatized for weddings. There are a few to be found at Agios Sostis, but there is a large choice of restaurants and lodging along Laganas Beach.

Snorkel alongside a loggerhead turtle in Cameo Island in this amazing video 👇 shared by TheCoralNerd!

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Protected areaNational Marine Park of Zakynthos
  • Maximum depth12ft/4m
  • Water entranceFrom rocks or a floating platform
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersMedium to high
  • Access costsEntrance fee to the island (euro 5pp.)
  • Restaurants nearbyYes, on the island beach

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.