Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
The loggerhead nesting season has “officially’ begun onnon-profitwell-known Crete, with sea turtle nests occurrence confirmed in all three of ARCHELON’s project areas: Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. These first nests mark the start to a challenging season where the commitment of beach users and hotel owners to protecting the loggerhead sea turtles will be put to the test.
The return of the adult female turtles to lay their eggs on these unique beaches of Crete is a reminder of the island’s ecological importance and the delicate balance between natural preservation and tourism. Through a growing network of volunteers, researchers, local businesses, and international partners, ARCHELON, a well known, non profit environmental NGO, is not only safeguarding the nesting sites but also building awareness about the role each of us plays in preserving them.
One of the main initiatives supporting ARCHELON’s work on the beaches of northern Crete in 2025 is the TUI Turtle Aid Greece project, carried out in collaboration with the TUI Care Foundation. This partnership reflects a coordinated approach to destination management, bringing together conservation teams, hotel staff, local communities, and tourists to help protect the beaches where sea turtles nest. By involving everyone, the project promotes shared responsibility and shows how different groups can successfully work together to care for a destination.
With nests already recorded and protected, the work now continues on the monitoring beaches, informing the public, and helping hatchlings safely reach the sea in the months ahead. Every protected nest is a small triumph, and together, they represent a broader success: a model of tourism that respects and protects the natural world.
Learn more about the TUI Turtle Aid Project: https://archelon.gr/en/what-we-do/projects-and-collaborations
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
Amvrakikos Project 2025: Special Call for a Field Leader
RECENT NEWS
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- OUR NEWS16/06/2025
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- OUR NEWS10/06/2025
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- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
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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 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 NEWS22/05/2025
Sea turtle nesting has begun in Greece: learn what to look out for!
The first nests for 2025 have already been located and protected at Laganas beach in Zakynthos, Elaia beach in Kyparissia Bay and Pachia Ammos beach in Messara Bay in Crete!
- OUR NEWS16/05/2025
Advancing sea turtle photo-ID research with artificial intelligence
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- OUR NEWS15/05/2025
Kyparissia Bay: Balancing Nature and Tourism
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- 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.