Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with remarkable records from the nesting beaches where ARCHELON’s projects are run.
On July 9th, 2025, the first hatchlings of the season emerged on the beach of Elaia, in the Kyparissia Bay area of the Peloponnese. This marks the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984 – a major milestone in ARCHELON’s 42 years of continuous conservation work. Many tiny hatchlings successfully made their way to the sea, kicking off the season with great momentum!
Just two days later, on July 11th, 2025, the first nest hatched on the island of Crete, at Afrathia beach in Messara Bay. ARCHELON’s local team found the first hatchlings’ tracks reaching the sea safely.
On the same day, the first hatching of the season was also recorded in Zakynthos, at Dafni beach. One small hatchling reached the sea, officially marking the start of the hatching season on the island.
How to Help the Hatchlings – Behaviour Guidelines for the Public
As the hatching season progresses, it’s essential for everyone near the nesting beaches of Zakynthos, Kyparissia Bay, Koroni, Lakonikos Bay, Rethymno, Chania and Messara Bay, to be aware of how to behave on nesting beaches. The tiny sea turtle hatchlings are extremely vulnerable and need our help to reach the sea safely.
If you encounter hatchlings on the beach:
- Do not touch them – Human contact must be kept to a minimum
- Do not take them to the sea – It is crucial that they make it to the water on their own
- Avoid visiting nesting beaches at night – Hatchlings usually emerge after dark and need peace and quiet
- Turn off artificial lights near the beach – Hatchlings orient themselves using the natural light of the moon and stars
- Do not use flash photography – Artificial light can disorient them
- Protect them from the sun – Provide shade using your body or towel if needed
- Clear obstacles and keep animals away from their path – Help ensure their route to the sea is safe and direct
We urge you to share these guidelines with your friends, inform other visitors, and become part of the effort to protect this unique marine species. Together, we can give hatchlings the best possible start to their life in the sea!
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS18/04/2026
How a sea turtle illuminated the unknown paths of the Aegean
Helen Jane was not just another dead sea turtle found on the Greek coastline. For ARCHELON researchers, she was a living beacon of information
- OUR NEWS17/04/2026
Is it Really 1 in 1,000? New Science Challenges the Iconic Sea Turtle Statistic
For decades, one quote has defined the struggle of sea turtle conservation: 1 in 1,000. This statistical information suggests that for every thousand hatchlings that enter the sea, only one will survive the long journey to adulthood.
- 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 NEWS09/03/2026
The Annual General Assembly of the Association
ARCHELON's Members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, February 28 at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
Join us for the Online Presentation of 2025 Results!
On Monday, March 23rd, we have the chance to meet again online and share what we accomplished together in the past year.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
A Digital Adventure for Your Class with ARCHELON
Through a live connection with the Centre, students learn about the turtles’ rescue stories and discover how everyday human activities can negatively impact marine ecosystems.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2026
32 Years Returning to Nest: A Record Reproductive Lifespan for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle in Kyparissia Bay
When we analyzed the turtles’ codes, we realized that this was a turtle that had been tagged for the first time in the area 32 years ago! Specifically, turtle P4849 was tagged on July 7, 1993 and today is the turtle with the longest documented reproductive lifespan in Kyparissia Bay!
- OUR NEWS18/02/2026
"The Mediterranean We Protect" ARCHELON Presented the 2025 Results and the New LIFE MareNatura Exhibition
The presentation of our Accounts for 2025 was held with great success on Saturday, February 14th in Glyfada, honoring the people who are on the front lines for the protection of the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS11/02/2026
ARCHELON in the Lakonikos Bay: Nature, Research, Volunteering
The year 2025 was a milestone: a total of 1,253 nests were recorded and protected, while 7 female turtles were equipped with satellite transmitters, sending valuable data about their journeys across the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS23/01/2026
A turtle we treated 10 years ago was found in Spain!
“Castello” is a male Loggerhead turtle that was treated at our Rescue Centre in 2015. In 2025 he was found again at a Rescue Centre in Spain!
- OUR NEWS02/01/2026
Against All Odds: A Story of Marine Resilience from Amvrakikos Gulf
One turtle has been surviving for at least six years without a lower jaw!