...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 NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!
- OUR NEWS14/04/2025
Groundbreaking Study on Microplastic Pollution of Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches
ARCHELON took part in a recent global study that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2025
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
Gracie and Claire, two dedicated individuals who made a significant impact on the sea turtle project of Lakonikos Bay in 2024, talked about their experience.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2025
Meeting of organizations, authorities and businessmen in Rethymno: Crete is preparing for the arrival of the turtles!
On Monday, April 7, we met for another year in the hospitable city of Rethymno to participate in the meeting organized by the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle!
- OUR NEWS31/03/2025
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
Since 2002, ARCHELON and its partners have placed 150 satellite and GSM tags on sea turtles monitoring their vast journeys across the Mediterranean!
- OUR NEWS24/03/2025
Become a Guardian of the Night: Volunteer with ARCHELON
On some select beaches, volunteer duties also include night patrols. During the hours when the presence of people on the nesting beaches is prohibited so as not to disturb the turtles, our trained volunteers start their shift, equipped with measuring instruments, research notebooks and red flashlights.
- OUR NEWS14/03/2025
Enriching the lives of rescued sea turtles
A recent study at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre highlights the importance of environmental enrichment in improving the physical and psychological well-being of rescued sea turtles, aiding their rehabilitation and preparing them for successful release back into the wild.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2025
ARCHELON's Annual General Assembly
According to article 8 of the Statutes of ARCHELON Association, its’ members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, 22 February 2025.
- OUR NEWS20/02/2025
From the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre in Egypt!
A sea turtle, previously rehabilitated at the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre, has once again made headlines, this time internationally. The tagged turtle was discovered weak and injured on an Egyptian beach after the recent rough seas. This incident, as reported by the Egyptian news agency, underscores the ongoing need to protect the fragile Mediterranean marine environment.
- OUR NEWS17/02/2025
ARCHELON's turtle toy travels the country with students and teachers
We would like to warmly thank all the schools that participated in the Online Tours during the 2023-2024 school year and spread the message of sea turtle protection to the ends of the country! The online tours for the current school year have already started.
- OUR NEWS12/02/2025
Online Presentation of Results 2024
Last year, 500 volunteers from all over the world came to help turtles in Greece! What did they achieve? Join us to find out!
- OUR NEWS11/02/2025
Historic Green Sea Turtle Nest Discovered on Rhodes Island, Greece
This species is globally endangered and the recent discovery is particularly significant as it suggests a possible shift in green turtle breeding areas.
- OUR NEWS04/02/2025
Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Joanne's lifelong passion for sea turtles led her to volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Greece, where she dedicates her time to educating visitors and contributing to the organization's conservation efforts.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2025
2 years of joint systematic efforts to protect Greece's largest wetland
- OUR NEWS28/01/2025
The ARCHELON Recap for 2024: We kept on fighting for Sea Turtles and the protection of the Oceans
2024 was the year that the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle breeding population in Kyparissia Bay has been confirmed! This site now hosts the largest breeding population in the Mediterranean, which has been growing steadily in the past years thanks to the consistent long-term nest protection efforts of ARCHELON. It was also the warmest year globally on record when, on the side of our heavy core business workload, we made time to strengthen our commitment to volunteerism and sustainable tourism.