Sea turtle nesting has begun in Greece: learn what to look out for!
Greece hosts the most important nesting beaches for the loggerhead turtle in the Mediterranean. The first nests for 2025 have already been located and protected at Laganas beach in Zakynthos, Elaia beach in Kyparissia Bay of western Peloponnese and Pachia Ammos beach in Messara Bay of southern Crete!
Every summer, ARCHELON monitors almost 100 km. of nesting beaches, recording and protecting loggerhead nests in Zakynthos, in Kyparissia Bay, Koroni, Lakonikos Bay in Peloponnese, in Chania, Rethymno and Messara Bay in Crete.
If you happen to visit one of these beaches, follow these instructions:
- Remove umbrellas, sun loungers and any other beach furniture after sunset.
- Turn off or cover lights visible from the beach and avoid staying on the beach at night.
- Do not light fires at night on the beach
- Do not dig up nests. Sea turtles, nests, eggs and hatchlings are protected by Greek law and international conventions.
- Do not move nest markings, protective cages over nests or special walkways for hatchlings.
- Avoid driving vehicles on the beach.
- Avoid driving a speedboat at high speed near the nesting beach.
Most sea turtles return to lay their eggs on the beaches where they were born. However, there are some females that, during their travels, nest on coasts that are unknown to us. These “sporadic nests” can appear anywhere in Greece, and we need your help to record them!
The study of the occurrence of sporadic nests sheds light on the movements of sea turtles. These data are taken into account in the study of sea turtle populations. ARCHELON encourages all citizens who care about nature and the environment to be observant and contribute to the protection of wildlife by reporting tracks, hatchlings and possible nests.
If you find a turtle laying eggs, sea turtle tracks, or an unprotected nest, follow these steps:
- Do not disturb the turtle: Loud sounds, photos, and lights can scare it. Do not disturb the nest: Leave it exactly as you found it.
- Mark the location: Use landmarks or GPS coordinates to locate the nest.
- Take a few photos of the tracks or potential nest (after the turtle has returned to the water).
- Report the nest to ARCHELON: Complete the online Sporadic Nest Recording Form. This user-friendly platform allows you to quickly submit information about the nest location, date, and any observations you may have.
If you find an injured sea turtle, contact ARCHELON's 24-hour rescue line 6941 511 511.
Let's all help protect the sea, the coasts and the sea turtles this summer! We can live together, this has been ARCHELON's motto since 1983!
Amvrakikos Project 2025: Special Call for a Field Leader
Advancing sea turtle photo-ID research with artificial intelligence
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
World Oceans Day: Conservation and Anthropogenic “Wounds” in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos
On the occasion of World Oceans Day, ARCHELON brings to the fore the challenges facing Laganas Bay, Zakynthos - one of the most important refuges of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS06/06/2025
Sekania: History of the most precious refuge for the Loggerhead in Zakynthos
Sekania, a secluded 600-meter-long beach in Zakynthos, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation, with more than 24,000 sea turtle nests recorded over the last 40 years.
- OUR NEWS05/06/2025
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
On June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day, a day established by the United Nations in 1972. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and ARCHELON is calling for action on the sea turtle nesting beaches.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
ARCHELON volunteers have just located the first sea turtle nests of the season on the beaches of Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. Now the challenge to prove that tourism destinations on Crete can make a significant move towards sustainability is on again.
- OUR NEWS29/05/2025
Amvrakikos Project 2025: Special Call for a Field Leader
ARCHELON is looking for a highly motivated person to lead its project in Amvrakikos Gulf, one of the few foraging sites for loggerhead turtles in Greece linking several populations nesting across the Mediterranean region.
- OUR NEWS16/05/2025
Advancing sea turtle photo-ID research with artificial intelligence
Sea turtle facial scales remain stable throughout a turtle’s life allowing researchers to recognise individuals from photos, often taken over decades!
- OUR NEWS15/05/2025
Kyparissia Bay: Balancing Nature and Tourism
Αs the popularity of the protected area increases and pressures from tourism and climate change intensify, the question that arises is: How many people can this beach “bear” without degrading the environment?
- OUR NEWS07/05/2025
Discover the secret nature of Crete: Sea Turtle Beach Walk with ARCHELON
Live a unique ecotourism experience in Crete by participating in ARCHELON Sea Turtle Beach Walks on the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead, starting on May 15th in Chania and Rethymno. Now open for reservations on our website!
- OUR NEWS24/04/2025
Are You Over 50? The Sea Turtles Need You!
If you’re 50 or older and ready to dive into a unique conservation experience, we warmly invite you to join us. Help protect sea turtles, meet like-minded people, and discover the natural beauty of Greece with ARCHELON by your side.
- OUR NEWS22/04/2025
Turning the Tide: Sea Turtle Populations Show Signs of Recovery Worldwide
The first, after a decade, global study brings encouraging news for sea turtle conservation: more than half of their populations across the globe show signs of recovery. Listed among the authors is the Research Coordinator of ARCHELON, Aliki Panagopoulou PhD, who is mobilizing the long term field work of our Society on the nesting beaches of Greece.
- OUR NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!
- OUR NEWS14/04/2025
Groundbreaking Study on Microplastic Pollution of Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches
ARCHELON took part in a recent global study that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world.