Zakynthos, a jewel in the Ionian Sea, is renowned worldwide for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. However, beneath its idyllic surface lies a delicate balance between tourism and nature. Parts of this enchanting island are important wildlife sanctuaries of the National Marine Park and the beaches of its south facing bay are a critical nesting grounds for the protected loggerhead sea turtles.

As early as February, these sea turtles start their perilous journey across the Mediterranean towards Zakynthos, in order to reach Laganas Bay, their ancient nesting grounds. They arrive there by May, and soon, thousands of tourists will flock there too, looking for relaxation, enjoyment and entertainment. Sea turtles will mate in the marine waters near the island and, if undisturbed, females will start emerging from the sea at night. They will dig nests in the sand, lay their eggs, cover the nests and head back into the sea again. Nests will remain hidden on the beach and, if undisturbed, the hatchlings will come out and head into the sea a few weeks later. Disturbance to the nesting turtles can be caused by several human activities in Laganas Bay and there is a bunch of information about what to do and what to avoid that must reach every user of the beach. ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, has been working tirelessly for over 40 years to protect the nests, shift public opinion and form alliances for the conservation of the loggerheads in Zakynthos.

In the summer of 2023, Domes Aulus Zante, Autograph Collection Resort stepped forward to support ARCHELON's mission and started informing all their clients about the appropriate behavior on the beach. In July 2023, staff members of the Resort were actively involved in rescuing an injured turtle, which was named “Rebecca” and Mrs Aphrodite Arvaniti the Resort Manager, generously agreed to cover its transportation and treatment expenses at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada, near Athens. Their commitment continued with adopting 70 turtle nests from the beach in front of their premises in 2023 and another 70 nests in 2024, demonstrating a remarkable dedication to environmental stewardship.

In the meanwhile, “Rebecca” made a full recovery thanks to the expert care at ARCHELON's Rescue Centre, and was released back into the wild. Her story is a testament to the power of human compassion and the importance of collaboration between tourism and conservation. "Tourism can be a powerful force for conservation when done responsibly," says Thanos Michailidis, ARCHELON's Project Manager on the island. " As Zakynthos welcomes visitors from around the globe, it's crucial to remember that this island is a shared home for both humans and sea turtles. By working together, the tourism industry and conservationists can create a win-win situation where both people and wildlife thrive."