The first sea turtle nests hatched in Rethymno, Crete
ARCHELON together with the Municipality of Rethymno, are informing beach visitors what to do in case the encounter hatchlings on the each during the day. Water should not be poured over them, nor should they be transported to the sea, as it is crucial that hatchlings walk their way to the sea by themselves. Shading them and leveling the sand in front of them until they reach the sea are the only things humans should do at this point.
This is the time to ask that artificial lights near nesting beaches are turned off. The moment the first hatchlings start their long and tough journey is a milestone for our projects, the turning point for the efforts of ACHELON and our collaborating partners. To find their way to the sea hatchlings follow the reflections of the moon and the starts on the sea. Artificial lights disorient hatchlings and eventually causes their death on the land.
Everybody on the beaches is reminded that management measures must be continually enforced, as nesting continues taking place at the beach at the same time as the first nests are hatching. Beach furniture must be removed every night until mid-October. During the same period, the movement of heavy vehicles, leveling of sand, washing of beach furniture and night parties must be avoided on nesting beaches .
In case you are curious to see how a loggerhead nest looks like and maybe a few late hatchlings, stay tuned with us for the scheduled public nest excavation events. The program will be announced for each nesting site on Crete separately and will be shown weekly on the web pages of the respective municipalities and in ARCHELON’s official website. Information will also be available from the Information Kiosks of ARCHELON in the Venician harbor of Rethymno, the Old Harbour of Chania and at the entrance of Matala.
Information:
Rethymno Municipality**,** www . rethymno . gr
ARCHELON, www.archelon.gr Odysseas Paxinos, Crete Project Coordinator, tel.: 6937352379, archelon . crete @ archelon . com
Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Center (May and June 2018)?
Satellite tags deployed in loggerhead turtles from southern Kyparissia Bay to study their inter-nesting and post-nesting movements!
RECENT NEWS
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- OUR NEWS24/02/2026
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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
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- OUR NEWS11/02/2026
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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
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- 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
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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.