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 NEWS09/03/2026
The Annual General Assembly of the Association
ARCHELON's Members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, February 28 at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
Join us for the Online Presentation of 2025 Results!
On Monday, March 23rd, we have the chance to meet again online and share what we accomplished together in the past year.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2026
32 Years Returning to Nest: A Record Reproductive Lifespan for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle in Kyparissia Bay
When we analyzed the turtles’ codes, we realized that this was a turtle that had been tagged for the first time in the area 32 years ago! Specifically, turtle P4849 was tagged on July 7, 1993 and today is the turtle with the longest documented reproductive lifespan in Kyparissia Bay!
- OUR NEWS18/02/2026
"The Mediterranean We Protect" ARCHELON Presented the 2025 Results and the New LIFE MareNatura Exhibition
The presentation of our Accounts for 2025 was held with great success on Saturday, February 14th in Glyfada, honoring the people who are on the front lines for the protection of the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS11/02/2026
ARCHELON in the Lakonikos Bay: Nature, Research, Volunteering
The year 2025 was a milestone: a total of 1,253 nests were recorded and protected, while 7 female turtles were equipped with satellite transmitters, sending valuable data about their journeys across the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS23/01/2026
A turtle we treated 10 years ago was found in Spain!
“Castello” is a male Loggerhead turtle that was treated at our Rescue Centre in 2015. In 2025 he was found again at a Rescue Centre in Spain!
- OUR NEWS02/01/2026
Against All Odds: A Story of Marine Resilience from Amvrakikos Gulf
One turtle has been surviving for at least six years without a lower jaw!
- OUR NEWS29/12/2025
“Meetings with Remarkable Animals” A Heartwarming Reward for Our Efforts
Kristi Stassinopoulou shared with us a very personal moment: a sketch and a few pages from her book “Meetings with Remarkable Animals"
- OUR NEWS17/12/2025
ARCHELON’s Research: Expanding the Map of Mediterranean Green Turtles
In recent years, some green turtle nests have been recorded in Greece, indicating that the geographical spread of this species’ nesting areas in the Mediterranean is beginning to expand.
- OUR NEWS12/12/2025
The Power Behind Sea Turtle Conservation: Our 2025 Field Leaders
With deep gratitude, we honor all the Field Leaders who contributed to the success of the 2025 Field Projects.
- OUR NEWS10/12/2025
Unprecedented appearance of Leatherback Turtle on a Mediterranean beach
A new scientific record brings to light an extremely rare event for the marine life of the Mediterranean: the first confirmed appearance of an adult Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) attempting to nest in the Mediterranean basin.
- OUR NEWS08/12/2025
Applications Now Open for 2026 ARCHELON Field Leaders Posts!
ARCHELON is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Field Leader positions across all nesting projects (applications open until January 31st).
- OUR NEWS05/12/2025
Saving Sea Turtles Together – A Tribute to Volunteers
On Volunteer Day, we take a moment to celebrate all those who came from near and far, put on the blue T-shirt, and embraced this important responsibility.
- OUR NEWS01/12/2025
Laganas Bay, Zakynthos: Successful Loggerhead Reproduction, Ongoing Habitat Problems
On the beaches of the Zakynthos National Marine Park, around 2,155 turtle nests successfully hatched thanks to active protection measures, but human pressures on coastal and marine habitats continue.
- OUR NEWS26/11/2025
A Second Chance: Two Loggerhead Sea Turtles Return to the Sea Thanks to Dedicated Rescues
This summer, two adult loggerhead sea turtles, ‘Aktaia’ and ‘Herbert’, arrived at ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Rescue Centre needing urgent help after sustaining severe head injuries.