First nest of the Sea Turtles of Crete today, the World Turtle Day
23rd of May 2016-World Turtle Day Time: 10η pm Area: Adele, Rethymno, Crete
The ARCHELON program in Crete has just begun. Α team of volunteers from countries neighboring Greece, as well as other continents, have just started to arrive to their destinations in Crete. They all have a similar goal: to protect the turtles which have lived in the Greek-Cretan seas for thousands of years.
The first mating information regarding this seasons Caretta Caretta sea turtles originated from a hotel near the beach in Skaleta, Rethymno—which gave us the greatest interest in the project. A few days later, the first turtle track we found proved that they inhabited the island and are waiting for the best conditions to create a nest and lay their eggs.
The beginning of the season has officially started with the exciting and anticipated discovery of the first nest in Adele, Crete on 23 May, 2016-the world Turtle Day—which is a cause for celebration amongst locals, tourists, and ARCHELON volunteers.
The daily routine of sea turtle monitoring begins at 5:30am with the morning surveys of the nesting beaches and ends late at night after a long day of sharing gathered information about the sea turtles, in the hope that the general population will learn about the protected species and why they should be protected.
With the discovery of the first nest, ARCHELON reminds to everyone who utilize the beaches for personal or business use, to apply the correct measures for keeping the beaches healthy.
The presence of the nesting sea turtles on the beach is an honor to us. Therefore, we should make sure the beaches are more accessible to the turtles. In addition, we should show respect to the natural beauty of the beaches and preserve the unique ecosystem of Crete.
All the volunteers of ARCHELON in Crete wish you a good nesting season—with a greater number of sea turtles and hatchlings and a more knowledgeable approach to community action.
For more information: Nikolopoulou Athanasia, Project Officer of ARCHELON in Crete, 6937352379
Caretta caretta nesting in the Laconic Gulf has begun
As every year, the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta has returned to the Bay of Kyparissia. Welcome back!
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS02/07/2025
Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
For over four decades, many people have been reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. Thanks to them, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas
- OUR NEWS01/07/2025
Satellite Tagging Completed and Captured on Film in Crete
ARCHELON has just successfully completed the 2025 deployment of satellite transmitters on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Crete, as part of the ongoing LIFE MareNatura Project. This year’s work in Crete was extra special: the LIFE MareNatura Documentary team joined us in the field!
- OUR NEWS23/06/2025
Enjoy the Beaches Responsibly: Together We Protect the Sea Turtles of Kyparissia Bay!
So far, more than 2,000 nests have been recorded in the area. In order to best manage the protected beaches, we have adapted our field work protocols.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2025
World Sea Turtle Day: We can all live together!
Today, June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day. On this occasion, ARCHELON expresses its warmest thanks to all citizens, volunteers, donors and supporters who actively contribute to our work.
- OUR NEWS10/06/2025
New Adaptation Strategies for Sea Turtles and Mediterranean Monk Seals
Institutions, associations and researchers will work for 5 years alongside the coastal communities to evaluate and respond to the effects of rising sea levels and ocean warming. These are to be developed through the ‘LIDE ADAPTS’ project which is being carried out in Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
World Oceans Day: Conservation and Anthropogenic “Wounds” in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos
On the occasion of World Oceans Day, ARCHELON brings to the fore the challenges facing Laganas Bay, Zakynthos - one of the most important refuges of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS06/06/2025
Sekania: History of the most precious refuge for the Loggerhead in Zakynthos
Sekania, a secluded 600-meter-long beach in Zakynthos, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation, with more than 24,000 sea turtle nests recorded over the last 40 years.
- OUR NEWS05/06/2025
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
On June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day, a day established by the United Nations in 1972. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and ARCHELON is calling for action on the sea turtle nesting beaches.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
ARCHELON volunteers have just located the first sea turtle nests of the season on the beaches of Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. Now the challenge to prove that tourism destinations on Crete can make a significant move towards sustainability is on again.
- OUR NEWS29/05/2025
Amvrakikos Project 2025: Special Call for a Field Leader
ARCHELON is looking for a highly motivated person to lead its project in Amvrakikos Gulf, one of the few foraging sites for loggerhead turtles in Greece linking several populations nesting across the Mediterranean region.
- OUR NEWS22/05/2025
Sea turtle nesting has begun in Greece: learn what to look out for!
The first nests for 2025 have already been located and protected at Laganas beach in Zakynthos, Elaia beach in Kyparissia Bay and Pachia Ammos beach in Messara Bay in Crete!
- OUR NEWS16/05/2025
Advancing sea turtle photo-ID research with artificial intelligence
Sea turtle facial scales remain stable throughout a turtle’s life allowing researchers to recognise individuals from photos, often taken over decades!
- OUR NEWS15/05/2025
Kyparissia Bay: Balancing Nature and Tourism
Αs the popularity of the protected area increases and pressures from tourism and climate change intensify, the question that arises is: How many people can this beach “bear” without degrading the environment?
- OUR NEWS07/05/2025
Discover the secret nature of Crete: Sea Turtle Beach Walk with ARCHELON
Live a unique ecotourism experience in Crete by participating in ARCHELON Sea Turtle Beach Walks on the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead, starting on May 15th in Chania and Rethymno. Now open for reservations on our website!
- OUR NEWS24/04/2025
Are You Over 50? The Sea Turtles Need You!
If you’re 50 or older and ready to dive into a unique conservation experience, we warmly invite you to join us. Help protect sea turtles, meet like-minded people, and discover the natural beauty of Greece with ARCHELON by your side.