...how wonderful it was, and how proud and grateful I am for this fantastic experience to help save the turtles...
In 1996, following a successful campaign, the WWF bought the land behind the beach of Sekania. As a little girl I was proud too. This was also a little ʽmyʼ beach! About 5 years ago, my mother went on a brief holiday with her sisters to Aghios Sostis, Zakynthos. She was shocked to see the cars and buses on the beach of Laganas. Spoke to some ARCHELON volunteers and bought me an ARCHELON turtle necklace as a souvenir of a wonderful holiday.
This year I wanted something completely different during my summer. I wanted to get away from my normal life for a while, but didnʼt know what to do. Iʼve always been in love with the Greek islands, but didnʼt feel like doing nothing and only lie on a beach for a month. I already knew about other turtle conservation projects, but though this was only in Costa Rica and other distant scary places. I was thrilled to find ARCHELON on line and found out that I could join a turtle protection project in my beloved Greece! My mum remembered the necklace and the volunteers she spoke to. She said they looked like they were having fun in their hippy-camp so I would probably love it. Then something clicked in my head. Wait a minute...Zakynthos? Turtles? Yes, as it turned out it was even a project which also worked on the beach I helped preserve!
Then, a few days ago, it finally happened; I had a morning survey on Sekania! It was as Oprah would say: “A bit of a full circle moment”. During the walk down the cliffs, this private turtle beach unveiled itself. The sunrise in Sekania was breathtaking, and although Iʼd seen hatchlings before, here I saw them going into the sea for the first time. Swimming enthusiastically and in great numbers towards a life of great danger and unknown adventures, to return to this very beach years and years later. I could relate to them. On the climb back into the real world I looked back at Sekania, how wonderful it was, and how proud and grateful I am for this fantastic experience to help save the turtles, on this beautiful island full of olive trees.
Wendy Talhout Volunteer for ARCHELON July 25 – August 22, 2009
The sea turtles of Zakynthos winter in Tunisia and in the northern Adriatic Sea!
ARCHELON's volunteers in Crete strive for the viability of Caretta caretta population
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS20/08/2025
A nesting turtle brings hope amidst a night of fire
After a 12-hour period filled with fear and uncertainty, the family witnessed a miracle of nature. “It brought us peace and reminded us of what is important”.
- OUR NEWS14/08/2025
ARCHELON’s Life-Saving Chain with the Support of the Green Fund
Thanks to persistence, medication, daily care, and a great deal of patience, “Snowball” gradually moved from a critical state to full recovery.
- OUR NEWS31/07/2025
ATTENTION! Please do not feed sea turtles – They are not pets- Protect them from human induced impacts
ARCHELON informs that the phenomenon of feeding sea turtles by people in coastal areas, ports and tourist spots has been observed in recent years. Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems – for turtles and for people alike.
- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
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 the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS09/07/2025
Inspections in Zakynthos and Kyparissia by representatives of the Bern Convention
The experts were in Greece to monitor the implementation of the Recommendations adopted by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention to our country regarding the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle and the ongoing threats faced by the species in its largest breeding habitats in the Mediterranean.
- 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.