Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
Near the end of the summer and about 2 weeks after each nest begins hatching, ARCHELON volunteers perform a nest excavation that brings some hidden secrets of nature to light. The valuable biological data collected by ARCHELON’s trained volunteers are part of the research taking place in Crete.
This is a free activity – no reservation is needed – just come to the location shown in the schedule below. See the public excavation schedule for the current week below and come witness a small miracle of nature up close. Each beach name is clickable and will open its exact location on Google Maps, so you can easily find the meeting point.
Each excavation lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending on what we find inside the nest. At the end of the activity, participants who wish to can support our conservation efforts with any amount they choose.
Events Schedule
Chania, Crete
- Tuesday 9 September, 08:30, Gerani beach
- Tuesday 9 September, 18:30, Gerani beach
- Wednesday 10 September, 08:30, Gerani beach
- Thursday 11 September, 08:30, Gerani beach
- Thursday 11 September, 18:30, Platanias beach
- Friday 12 September, 08:30, Gerani beach
- Friday 12 September, 18:30 Maleme beach
- Saturday 13 September, 18:30 Kato Stalos
Rethymno, Crete
- Wednesday 10 September, 19:00, Baja beach
- Thursday 11 September, 19:00, Platanes beach
- Friday 12 September, 19:00, Skaleta beach
- Saturday 13 September, 19:00, Missiria beach
- Sunday 14 September, 19:00, Missiria beach
Messaras Bay, Heraklion Crete
- Monday 8 September, 18:30, Kommos beach
- Wednesday 10 September, 18:30, Kommos beach
- Saturday 13 September, 18:30, Kommos beach
Participation Guidelines
For your safety and the protection of the turtles, please follow these rules:
- Remain quiet and respectful
- Follow the instructions of ARCHELON’s volunteers
- Stand within the designated area
- Do not use flash photography
- Do not touch any hatchlings or equipment
- Do not enter the sea to follow the hatchlings
Note: Excavations may be delayed or canceled due to weather conditions or other factors that could affect the turtles or the nests.
Contact details
- Project Manager for Rethymno & Messara, George Vrampas, +30 6937352379, crete@archelon.gr
- Project Manager for Chania, Danae Tsaparli, +30 6936913493, chania@archelon.gr
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS09/09/2025
School Tours at ARCHELON: Reserve Your Spot from September 11
The magical world of sea turtles and the people who are taking care of them is waiting, offering you a unique experience and valuable knowledge.
- OUR NEWS05/09/2025
The first report of 2025 delivered from Romanos Beach, Messinia
From mid-May to early September 2025, the project recorded about 80 nests along the 2.7 km stretch of Romanos beach.
- OUR NEWS29/08/2025
Turtle Run in Chania: Lace up your running shoes and get ready!
September 7th, Chania: Join the event and support the protection of one of the most iconic marine species in the Mediterranean.
- 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 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.