Looking for a unique family experience for the holiday season or the weekends? Come visit ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre in Glyfada
The ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre is in essence a ‘hospital’ for injured or sick sea turtles from all over Greece and, at the same time an information & awareness point for marine life. Kids and adult visitors come close to these ancient animals, their habitats, their stories and get to meet the people who fight for their recovery and their safe return to the sea.
This special ‘hospital’ is located at the 3rd Marina of Glyfada next to the sea shore and is housed in re-designed old train carriages and containers. Visitors are greeted at the entrance by ARCHELON’s volunteers and the tour takes place on a semi-outdoor space, next to the tanks, the greenhouse and through in informative exhibition.
The operation of the Rescue Centre began in 1994 with the cooperation of the Municipality of Glyfada. Since then, the Centre has welcomed over 1250 injured or sick sea turtles. ‘Staff and volunteers fight to save the turtles In an organized care facility. Around 700 animals have returned healthy to the sea reaching a full recovery up to now’, says Dimitris Fytilis, oceanographer and Manager of the Centre.
The sea turtles and the work done by the volunteers attract the interest of many people and the Centre has become a popular destination for Greek and foreign visitors. ‘We welcome over 10,000 visitors a year on weekdays and weekends, during the hours that we are open for the public’, says Anna Karatsori, ARCHELON's Awareness Officer.
In addition, many choose to book the 45-minute educational “Sea Turtle Rescue Tour”, which is designed for small groups that decide to ‘adopt’ an injured turtle. This guided tour concludes with an audio-visual presentation in a closed space. Participants receive information about their adopted turtle a few days after their visit. ‘Taking part in the “Sea Turtle Rescue Tour” means that you are no longer just an observer of the sea turtles but rather an important part of their story’, Dimitris explains.
In the reviews of people who took the tour we read:
‘A brilliant and informative tour. The volunteers that showed us around are clearly passionate about their work, and share the information in a lively and interesting way’ - Jennie Reeves
‘I have had such an amazing experience and have already recommended it to so many people. It is so lovely to see how much the volunteers care for the turtles. […] I enjoyed every minute of this tour and I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to visit. Hopefully one day I will return as a volunteer’ - Hollie Wood
‘Great tour that deepened our understanding about why sea turtles got injured and what the Centre does every day to help them. It gave my girls (age 8 & 10) some food for thought and ideas about what they can do in the future’ - Jermaine Chow
The Sea Turtle Rescue Centre is located at the 3rd Marina of Glyfada (TRAM stop ‘Paleo Dimarhio’). There is partial access for wheelchair (observation deck and toilet).
Free admission to the public on weekdays: Monday - Friday 13.00 - 15.00 and on weekends 11.00 - 17.00, with the possibility of a brief tour by a volunteer (up to 15 minutes - Greek and English).
The”Sea Turtle Rescue Tour” is available upon reservation, for groups of 1-8 people (not counting children under 4) who will make a donation for the care of a sea turtle for 10 days (50 Euros). The tour takes place at specific times every day, outside free admission hours, in Greek and in English and it is suitable for adults and children. It lasts 45 minutes and includes information about sea turtles, their rescue, care and protection of their nesting beaches. More information and reservations are to be found online.
Contact info: 210 8982600 (Monday – Friday, 9:00-17:00), rc.officer@archelon.gr
Note that the Rescue Centre will be closed for the following dates: 24/12/2022, 25/12/2022, 26/12/2022, 31/12/2022, 01/01/2023, 06/01/2023
This year our gifts also give back a bit of history!
The «different» project for sea turtles in Amvrakikos Gulf
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS20/01/2025
Thank You to our 2024 Field Leaders: The Heart of Sea Turtle Conservation
At ARCHELON, we owe much of our success to the dedication and passion of our Field Leaders. These incredible individuals guide our volunteers throughout their work in the field, ensuring that our mission to protect sea turtles is carried out with precision, care, and enthusiasm.
- OUR NEWS16/01/2025
The sweet side of healing: Why honey is a secret weapon for saving injured sea turtles.
The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of honey help fight infections in open wounds, a common problem for injured sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS18/12/2024
An injured Loggerhead sea turtle returns to the ARCHELON Rescue Centre with plastics in its digestive system.
Greece has made progress in cutting down on plastic bag use, but we all need to do more. Sea pollution from plastic is still a major threat, harming both people and marine life.
- OUR NEWS06/12/2024
ARCHELON is on the Frontline of Sea Turtle Rescue in the Mediterranean.
For the first time, we have conducted CT scans for accurate diagnoses and started special blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor the health of sea turtles under our care.
- OUR NEWS03/12/2024
Summer 2025: Lead the Way in Sea Turtle Conservation and become a Field Leader with ARCHELON!
A limited number of experienced and capable volunteers are selected each year for the positions of Field Leaders on the ARCHELON projects. Applications and short CVs for 2025 are now accepted!
- OUR NEWS25/11/2024
Make this gift-giving season more magical: Adopt a Sea Turtle for your loved ones!
Whether it's for the wildlife lover in your life, or someone who cares about the planet, an adoption from ARCHELON is a present that keeps on giving.