Tsilivi - Captain Spiros Kaponis

Tsilivi Levante - Cruising around Vassilikos, Banana Beach & Laganas Bay

Ahoy, there! Spiros’ son, Giannis, with Sam

Fancy some fun in the sun? Why not visit one of the best beaches in Greece, Aghios Nikolaos, and see the turtles up close?

If that's not enough, fancy diving in the caves with Spiros' son Giannis?

So, half days or full days, who cares? Sunbathing, snorkelling & diving, eating ice-cream, drinking beer, swimming, sunbathing (did I say that already?), spotting turtles, spectacular cliff scenery, photographer's paradise. The hats are courtesy of Spiros & his crew. Despite the fact that some complain about this most decent family-man, he cares for everyone on the trip, even if he throws them off the boat into the sea!

You'll find Spiros & his shipmate sitting up in the village (in Tsilvi) in the evening touting for future business with his wife, Annalise, & often Giannis scuttling about with other kids. He also has accommodation which tourists can book directly. He usually does the shipwreck trip in the morning and the turtle one in the afternoon.

There's the itinerary.

Everyone gets to drive the boat, too...

There's Captain Sam at the helm!

The kids love having a go...and the mums & girlfriends! Oh & Mr. Angry from Doncaster, Spiros is not after your missus!

Clearly Sam's enjoying the day (notice the life-jackets for the kids).

There's some decent scenery to see too...

Spiros likes a challenge! We’re going through!

This is Marathonissi Island which looks like a turtle from the side. It's a protected site with some parts off-limit.

Spiros lands there for a while. It's home to several nesting families.The you get up close with the turtles and inevitably, if you spot one, the big boys start to home in, too, which tends to spoil the intimacy!

Pretence of environmental ecological bull?......

If that's not your idea of turtle-spotting, you can always stay in Kalamaki & see them from a pedalo! After that it's off to the caves and diving with Giannis to see the strange underwater colours and light created by the combination of extraordinary Zakynthian sea & light. Spiros heads for the most unlikely gaps.......Negotiating narrow causeways and low-hanging crags he creeps around the numerous crevices which inundate the rugged coastline. Then he's reversing into the impossibly small caverns...Then it's all overboard - even Granny who can't swim and of course the babies!

Well, how will you know, if you don't go?

After that drama, you need to unwind, so Spiros sets off for a bay full of boats to stock up on beer, ice-creams & soft drinks!Party-time. All out again, if you fancy a dip!

GreecepolyphemeofcymbriaAugust 17, 2011Zakynthos