The marine reserve of Zakynthos is not a conventional park with marked borders but an area of invisible boundaries whose residents include the some of the rarest of the Mediterranean's wildlife and ecology. It straddles the famous Laganas Bay, the area around it and the two small Strophadia islands further to the south.

This area of deep waters and sandy beaches makes up the nesting grounds of the endangered Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). The park is also frequented by the equally endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), reptiles and amphibians as well as numerous birds such as the migratory turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur), owls, halks, seabirds, wild swans, kingfishers and many others.

Other mammals passing through the park's premises include bottlenose dolphins and, well, humans. For the park, located a stone's throw from Zakynthos' top tourist spot, is not off-limits to bipeds. Instead the park is striving to balance controlled development and tourism with ecological protection. That's why education of both locals and visitors is of such great importance.

On the flora side, the National Marine Park of Zakynthos provides key habitats to the Posidonia seabed, wild flowers and other sand dune vegetation.

Local geography
The Zakynthos Park consists of 14.2 km2 of land (plus a 31.2km2 peripheral zone). The 89.2 km2 of water is divided into three zones. Of these, the strictest patrol rules are applied to the area located in the bay's east, near the Dafni and Yerakas nesting beaches: no boats or fishing are permitted there. In the second zone, situated in the very centre of Laganas Bay, boats are allowed to pass at slow speeds, they can't anchor though. Finally there is the small eastern part of Laganas Bay, where boats can actually stop.

The nesting beaches scattered throughout this region are governed by very distinct rules. No digging, camping and lighting of fires are allowed throughout the Park, while visitors cannot be in the premises before sunrise or after sunset (when the turtles come out of the sea to lay their eggs) or use lights in the region at night. There are also specific spots restricted to scientific research only. The National Marine Park of Zakynthos works closely with nonprofit organizations on tasks like clean-up efforts and is an active member of the Europarc Federation.