The nesting season has started in Greece: The first sea turtle nests for 2026 are spotted!
Summer has officially begun at the Greek beaches with the first characteristic turtle-tracks apprearing on the sand! The first nests of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) for 2026 were recorded and protected during the morning surveys of ARCHELON volunteers, on May 13 at Vounaki beach in Kyparissia Bay and on May 14 at Gerakas beach in Zakynthos.
For ARCHELON, the appearance of the first nests signals the start of another demanding yet hopeful season for the protection of sea turtles and their habitats. Every summer, ARCHELON carries out an extensive nest monitoring and protection program across nearly 100 km of nesting beaches in Zakynthos and Kyparissia Bay, as well as in Koroni, Lakonikos Bay, Chania, Rethymno, and Messara Bay in Crete. The countdown has already begun for the remaining beaches, and we are expecting the first nests to appear any day now!
If you find yourself on a nesting beach: How you can help
As the nesting season begins, the behavior of all of us on the beaches can make a difference for the survival of sea turtles. If you visit a nesting beach:
- Remove umbrellas, sun loungers and other equipment after sunset.
- Turn off or cover lights visible from the beach and avoid staying near nests at night.
- Do not light campfires on the beach at night.
- Do not dig up the nests and do not touch the eggs or hatchlings.
- Do not move signage, protective cages or hatching corridors.
- Avoid driving vehicles on the beach.
- Reduce your boat speed when approaching the nesting beaches.
Sea turtles, their nests, eggs and hatchlings are protected by Greek legislation and international conventions.
Sporadic Nests: Take part in Citizen Science
Although most female turtles return to the beaches where they were born, some create nests on new or unknown shores. The so-called “sporadic nests” can appear on any beach in Greece. Recording them helps significantly in the study of the movements and status of sea turtle populations. For this reason, ARCHELON calls on citizens and visitors to actively contribute to their protection.
If you find a turtle laying eggs, tracks or a nest that is not in an area monitored daily by ARCHELON volunteers:
- Do not disturb the turtle. Lights, flash photography and loud noises may scare it.
- Do not touch or alter the nest.
- Note the exact location using landmarks or GPS coordinates.
- Take photos only after the turtle returns to the sea.
- Report the incident to ARCHELON via the online Sporadic Nesting Report
In case of an injured or dead sea turtle, contact ARCHELON's 24-hour rescue line immediately: (+30) 6941 511 511
Let's all help to ensure that the Greek seas and coasts remain a safe habitat for the turtles this summer!
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