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 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 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!
- OUR NEWS29/12/2025
“Meetings with Remarkable Animals” A Heartwarming Reward for Our Efforts
Kristi Stassinopoulou shared with us a very personal moment: a sketch and a few pages from her book “Meetings with Remarkable Animals"
- OUR NEWS17/12/2025
ARCHELON’s Research: Expanding the Map of Mediterranean Green Turtles
In recent years, some green turtle nests have been recorded in Greece, indicating that the geographical spread of this species’ nesting areas in the Mediterranean is beginning to expand.
- OUR NEWS12/12/2025
The Power Behind Sea Turtle Conservation: Our 2025 Field Leaders
With deep gratitude, we honor all the Field Leaders who contributed to the success of the 2025 Field Projects.
- OUR NEWS10/12/2025
Unprecedented appearance of Leatherback Turtle on a Mediterranean beach
A new scientific record brings to light an extremely rare event for the marine life of the Mediterranean: the first confirmed appearance of an adult Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) attempting to nest in the Mediterranean basin.
- OUR NEWS08/12/2025
Applications Now Open for 2026 ARCHELON Field Leaders Posts!
ARCHELON is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Field Leader positions across all nesting projects (applications open until January 31st).
- OUR NEWS05/12/2025
Saving Sea Turtles Together – A Tribute to Volunteers
On Volunteer Day, we take a moment to celebrate all those who came from near and far, put on the blue T-shirt, and embraced this important responsibility.
- OUR NEWS01/12/2025
Laganas Bay, Zakynthos: Successful Loggerhead Reproduction, Ongoing Habitat Problems
On the beaches of the Zakynthos National Marine Park, around 2,155 turtle nests successfully hatched thanks to active protection measures, but human pressures on coastal and marine habitats continue.
- OUR NEWS26/11/2025
A Second Chance: Two Loggerhead Sea Turtles Return to the Sea Thanks to Dedicated Rescues
This summer, two adult loggerhead sea turtles, ‘Aktaia’ and ‘Herbert’, arrived at ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Rescue Centre needing urgent help after sustaining severe head injuries.