See you in Messara bay next summer!
For the last 30 years, ARCHELON has been carrying out sea turtle protection actions at the beautiful beaches of Messara bay, in Crete. Every morning trained volunteers walk on the 8 km long nesting beaches I order to locate the exit tracks of the adult females and their nests. Almost two months after marking a nest, they re-visit it in order to locate and protect the hatchlings which emerge at night.
The high summer temperatures did not stop the “turtlers”: about 110 sea turtle nests were recorded and thousands of baby turtles found their way to the sea in 2022 with the help of the volunteers/researchers that participated. Colette Ballantyne, Shannon Evans, and Fengus Lang were the field leaders who trained and coordinated the volunteers in the field in recording and protecting the nests, in public awareness actions, and in the organisation of the camp.
"All participants, field leaders, volunteers from afar, and local volunteers coped with the difficulties and thus we managed to protect all the nests and the baby turtles. Thank you very much for all the energy you put into the project", says Lydia Koutrouditsou, the Project Officer of Crete.
The beach in Matala is famous for the painted caves in the rocks and the hippies of the 70s. Very close to the sea turtle nesting beach are the Minoan palace of Phaistos and the archaeological site of Komos. There are many visitors due to the archaeological sites and the tourists in the area prefer mostly alternative tourism destinations.
"Intense touristic development and activity on the sea turtle nesting beaches are observed only in certain places at Messara bay, and we try to focus on solutions to the issues raised due to tourism" explains Lydia. ARCHELON volunteers informed almost 2000 visitors about the protection of the sea turtles on beaches, in informative screenings, in hotels, and at the ARCHELON Information Station in Matala.
The conservation project in Messara bay for 2023 has already been announced. If you are interested to participate in the project and protect the sea turtle nests and hatchlings learn more here here.
You can also download the brochure with the 2023 projects.
The «different» project for sea turtles in Amvrakikos Gulf
A successful year for Loggerhead nesting in Koroni- thanks to all our friends
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS05/07/2025
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.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2025
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
Gracie and Claire, two dedicated individuals who made a significant impact on the sea turtle project of Lakonikos Bay in 2024, talked about their experience.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2025
Meeting of organizations, authorities and businessmen in Rethymno: Crete is preparing for the arrival of the turtles!
On Monday, April 7, we met for another year in the hospitable city of Rethymno to participate in the meeting organized by the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle!
- OUR NEWS31/03/2025
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
Since 2002, ARCHELON and its partners have placed 150 satellite and GSM tags on sea turtles monitoring their vast journeys across the Mediterranean!
- OUR NEWS24/03/2025
Become a Guardian of the Night: Volunteer with ARCHELON
On some select beaches, volunteer duties also include night patrols. During the hours when the presence of people on the nesting beaches is prohibited so as not to disturb the turtles, our trained volunteers start their shift, equipped with measuring instruments, research notebooks and red flashlights.
- 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.