Over 1.000 Caretta caretta nests in Southern Kyparissiakos Bay!
On the 28th of June the number of nests surpassed the 1.000 mark for 2016 in Southern Kyparissiakos Bay. During the last years, ARCHELON’s efforts for the protection of the sea turtles have borne fruit by increasing the number of Caretta caretta nests.
It has been more than 30 years now that the first lovers of sea turtle Caretta arrived in the area of Kyparissiakos Bay and started monitoring and then protecting the nests of this ancient seafaring reptile that in past times used to be regarded as the sacred animal of goddess Aphrodite.
Since then, thousands of people from across the globe, from America to Asia and Australia have travelled to the area to be part of this conservation effort of a protected species that faces daily anthropogenic threats, which usually manifest from lack of understanding.
Each and every one of these people will treasure for the rest of their lives this intimate experience of the life cycle of this reptile that lives in the sea and visits our beaches just to nest! Each and every one of these people having walked tens of kilometres daily during sunrise to sunset in Kyparissiakos Bay are now connected to this place and they feel deep respect for it. Each and every one of these people in this endless landscape of sand has been touched, has given their blood, sweat and tears, has felt love and ultimately shared in this enormous feat of protection of the Kyparissiakos Bay.
Thirty years later these people continue visiting the area full of emotion for the time they spent here but also for the effort that keeps us full of passion and conserves the area as close as nature intended.
Whilst waiting for the first hatchlings to reach Mediterranean sea from Kyparissiakos Bay, we hope that ARCHELON’s efforts will set an example for environmental protection throughout Greece, once is gone it is lost forever!
Information: Polymnia Nestoridou, Peloponnese Project Coordinator, Tel.:: +30 6951009785
Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (May 2016)?
Small steps towards a better future for the sea turtle on Crete
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS27/08/2025
Citizens Help us Map Sea Turtle Sporadic Nesting in the Ionian Sea
This study is particularly important as it highlights the power of citizen science. Public eyes on beaches, outreach through online platforms and new reporting tools are expanding our understanding of turtle nesting beyond the beaches we monitor.
- 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.