Kids Beach Competition 2023: Make your own little sea turtle with natural materials and send us a photo!
Summer excursions on the beaches for swimming have already begun. With them, started the sea turtle nesting season in Greece. Mother turtles came out of the sea during the night and buried their precious eggs in the warm sand. In the mornings, it's our turn to visit the beach for swimming and water games.
But we must be careful... Soon the little hatchlings will break their eggshells, emerge from their nests and begin their journey towards their home, the sea. If we come across sea turtle nests or hatchlings on a beach, there are a few rules to follow:
- We respect turtle nests that are protected with cages and carry warning signs.
- We do not touch or transport the hatchlings. They need to get to the sea on their own.
- We don't leave our trash on the beaches. We keep them clean for the turtles.
- We turn off the lights towards the beach so that the turtles don't lose their way.
Help us spread the message for protecting sea turtles by making your own turtle with natural materials found on the beach. Sand, stones, pebbles, shells, seaweed, sticks and whatever else you have available can be transformed into a sea turtle with a little imagination!
Take a photo and send us your project at awareness@archelon.gr , noting the beach you were on, your name and age. The contest will end on September 30, 2023!
Caution! Once you have taken the photo it is your responsibility to put the natural materials you used back in their place. We do not want to disturb the natural environment of the beach. After all, we share every beach with thousands of other creatures and every pebble has its place in the ecosystem.
At the end of autumn, we will prepare an online exhibition with your photos and invite you all to choose which ones you like the most! The most popular ones will be published on ARCHELON's social media and will decorate our Christmas cards.
Learn more about ARCHELON’s projects here.
Interview with a volunteer: Lea Heinen, Rescue Centre
Paving the way for next steps in conservation of marine turtles in the Mediterranean region
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS15/07/2026
A rare giant of the Greek seas: What our new study reveals about the Leatherback turtle
A new scientific publication brings together for the first time all available records of the Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) in Greek waters.
- OUR NEWS10/07/2026
Raising awareness for the sea turtles in Corfu
To mark the launch of the project, ARCHELON carried out a series of outreach activities across Corfu, bringing local communities and visitors closer to sea turtle conservation.
- OUR NEWS08/07/2026
Protecting loggerhead sea turtles contributes to maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.
Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. As part of marine food webs, they contribute to the balance and functioning of coastal and marine habitats.
- OUR NEWS05/07/2026
Is the Zakynthos National Marine Park Truly Protected?
Two cases of environmental law violations in Zakynthos that went unpunished.
- OUR NEWS29/06/2026
New Sea Turtle Protection Project in Corfu
ARCHELON partners with the Ionian Environment Foundation and the Mar-Bella Collection Hotel Group to Protect the Nesting Beaches of Corfu
- OUR NEWS26/06/2026
ARCHELON & TUI Turtle Aid Greece: 3 successful years in Crete
With the completion of the “TUI Turtle Aid Greece” project, ARCHELON presents impressive results in nest protection, the hotel employees training and raising awareness among 66,000 tourists.
- OUR NEWS24/06/2026
Effective turtle conservation begins with safeguarding the nesting beaches
Field surveys were carried out over two consecutive nesting seasons (2024–2025), assessing 167 nesting beaches across Greece, covering 270 km of coastline.
- OUR NEWS22/06/2026
ARCHELON expresses its sorrow at the loss of Mona Khalil
- OUR NEWS19/06/2026
The world of marine megafauna: New Photo Exhibition at Agiannakis Environmental Station
The Exhibition is part of the LIFE MareNatura Project and is open to the public every Saturday 18:00 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2026
New data reveals that sea turtles follow much more complex migration strategies
World Sea Turtle Day is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, but also to remember why we continue to research and protect these ancient ocean travellers.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2026
Coordinated action in Greece, Cyprus and Italy to protect sea turtles against the climate crisis
Today, June 16, the world celebrates World Sea Turtle Day. In the Mediterranean, this celebration comes at a critical turning point.
- OUR NEWS15/06/2026
Turtle Festival: Diving into Deep Waters at ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Rescue Centre!
On the occasion of World Sea Turtle Day (June 16), last Saturday the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre opened its doors to the public for this year’s Turtle Festival, themed “Into Deep Waters.”
- OUR NEWS09/06/2026
Celebrating World Environment Day with Sea Turtles in Rethymno
Last Friday, ARCHELON's team in Rethymno took part in a special awareness-raising event, co-organized by the Municipality and the 2nd Experimental Primary School of Rethymno.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2026
Clean beaches, safe turtles: Our guide to responsible action
See some simple but crucial rules that must be followed for clean nesting beaches!
- OUR NEWS29/05/2026
Eight Hotels in northern Crete Receive “Turtle-Friendly” Certification from the TUI Care Foundation.
The eight hotel establishments in Northern Crete are among the first businesses worldwide to receive the new “Turtle-Friendly” certification from the TUI Care Foundation, developed in collaboration with ARCHELON. This distinction recognizes their commitment to protecting the nesting beaches of the loggerhead sea turtle and highlights the importance of cooperation between the tourism sector and nature conservation initiatives.