As the six-week summer holiday draws near, the familiar urge to fill a suitcase and head off to a sun-soaked destination is beginning to surface, and for countless travellers, they'll be heading to Greece. The European destination has always been a popular getaway, with hundreds and thousands of Brits heading to islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete, Rhodes and Zakynthos each summer.

However, there is a 'little-known' curfew rule on one of these Greek islands that holidaymakers might not be familiar with. If they are unaware, they could find themselves stranded and waiting a very long time.

Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) imposes a night flight curfew to safeguard the endangered loggerhead sea turtles that live on the island. Flights are prohibited from around 10pm until 5am, or sometimes 7am, to ensure the protection of these turtles, which are most active at night, especially during their nesting and hatching seasons.

As a result, this curfew may occasionally cause flight delays or cancellations. If this happens during the evening, passengers could be stranded until the next morning.

Zakynthos Airport is frequently used for trips to Santorini and Kefalonia. It established its night flight restrictions in the early 1990s.

These turtles, indigenous to the Mediterranean, lay their eggs on the nearby shores. The beaches of Zakynthos rank among the most crucial nesting locations in the region, with approximately 80% of the Mediterranean loggerhead turtle population choosing to nest here.

Safeguarding their nesting habitats is vital, as these turtles are deemed endangered due to threats like habitat destruction and human interference. Loggerhead sea turtles are especially active during the night. They are susceptible to the disturbances caused by the noise and lights of aircraft, particularly in their nesting season.

The sounds and illumination from planes can interfere with the turtles' nesting behaviours, posing risks to both them and their eggs. To reduce this disruption, Zakynthos Airport has enforced a night curfew, prohibiting flights during the times when the turtles are most active.

Rules also apply across the beaches of Zakynthos, especially those located in the National Marine Park, to protect the local ecosystem and the endangered loggerhead sea turtles. These regulations include limited access, activities, and the use of certain equipment.

The beaches within the National Marine Park are typically open to visitors during daylight hours, from 7am until sunset. To prevent any disturbance, it is vital to maintain a distance of at least 15 meters from nesting turtles.

While swimming is allowed, activities such as walking, using umbrellas, and placing towels beyond a narrow strip of beach close to the water (around five meters from the sea) are not permitted. Boats can navigate in designated areas, but their speed must not exceed six nautical miles.

On nesting beaches, the use of umbrellas, anchoring, and fishing is strictly prohibited. To safeguard the turtles and the environment, it is crucial to keep the beaches tidy by disposing of all trash and cigarette butts properly.

The presence of cars, motorbikes, bicycles, horses, and dogs is banned on nesting beaches as they pose a risk to the turtles. Visitors are best to familiarise themselves with these rules and honour the protected zones to help maintain the island's stunning natural beauty.

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