8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles
The 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles will take place in Marathon, Greece, from November 9 to 13, 2026. The conference is organized by ARCHELON and serves as the premier gathering point for scientists, researchers, and organizations dedicated to the study and conservation of marine turtles in the Mediterranean.
2026 Projects
Sea Turtles Need You! The Planet Needs Us!
Make a meaningful impact in the conservation of sea turtles while gaining invaluable personal experiences! Learn more about volunteering with us, available volunteering roles, skills development, requirements and how to apply. See in detail the 2026 Projects and apply now!
There is always something going on at ARCHELON
Find out about the events we organize and our latest activities as we vigorously continue the work of studying, rescuing and protecting sea turtles in Greece!
- OUR NEWS10/04/2026
ARCHELON takes part in Chania's “Move It Now” initiative
Through educational activities, games and discussions, students had the opportunity to understand that every "green" choice in our daily lives is a direct help to the environment.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2026
Coming together for sustainable tourism in Chania
Looking towards the upcoming nesting season, the tourism community of Chania gathered at the city’s Town Hall.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2026
The Return of the “Giant”: Everest Swims Again in Greek Seas After Two Years of Rehabilitation
The story of 'Everest' began in May 2024 in Preveza, when the sea turtle was found with a severe, intentional head injury. Upon arrival at the Rescue Centre, its condition was critical: malnourished, weighing just 81 kg, and suffering from serious buoyancy problems that made survival in the sea impossible.
- OUR NEWS07/04/2026
Through the dust: Rethymno looks for a sustainable future with the sea turtles
Neither the African dust nor the sandstorm of last Wednesday stood in the way of ARCHELON's event at the Rethymno City Hall!
- OUR NEWS02/04/2026
Volunteering Has Never Been More Attractive: Special offers for 2026
ARCHELON invites you to join its field projects and actively protect sea turtles and their habitats.
Our Accounts for 2025
2025 proved in the clearest way that nature responds when we take care of it consistently. Continuing our action for the 42nd year on the most important nesting beaches of Greece, we recorded and protected over 10,000 Loggerhead nests in the Peloponnese, Zakynthos and Crete.
Specifically:
- In Kyparissia Bay, we recorded one of the most productive years of the last decades with approximately 6,100 nests (a 74% increase compared to the average of the previous twelve years).
- In Laganas Bay of Zakynthos island, the number of nests remained high for the third consecutive year with 2,155 nests.
- An additional 1,560 nests were recorded in the rest of the Peloponnese (Romanos, Koroni, Lakonikos Bay).
- Another 710 nests were also protected in Crete (Rethymno, Chania, Messara) despite the challenges created by intense tourism.
However, increased nesting is not a guarantee for the future in itself. The positive results remain fragile without continuous institutional support and responsible human activity. That is why we are commited to raising awareness and educated more than 84,800 visitors at the nesting beaches during summer 2025.
At the Rescue Centre in Glyfada, Attica, exemplary work was carried out this year again. We received 47 cases of turtles that had been injured by fishing gear, collisions with boats or deliberate actions. After persistent efforts, 30 turtles returned healthy to their natural environment. At the same time, approximately 14,300 students from 470 schools participated in our educational activities.
None of the above would be possible without the 49 field leaders, 153 interns and 390 volunteers from every corner of the globe who offered their energy to save sea turtles. Their invaluable contribution is at the core of our effort to promote sustainable development and responsible tourism at the local communities. Join the efforts and become a volunteer today
Project areas
Discover all the active projects and visit us in your area.
Sea turtles in the Rescue Centre
The Sea Turtle Rescue Center has been operating since 1994 in Glyfada, Attica, next to the sea. It was founded by ARCHELON with the support of the Municipality of Glyfada and the Ministry of the Environment and is one of the first Sea Turtle Rescue Centers in the Mediterranean and the only one in Greece. Its purpose is the treatment and rehabilitation of injured and sick sea turtles and their release back to the sea. You can symbolically adopt one or more injured turtles at the Rescue Center, contributing to the costs of their care and feeding. And of course you can come and see them at the Rescue Centre, or you can be informed from our website about their progress and their release.











