The Peloponnese is a very important region for the conservation of sea turtles in the Mediterranean
May 8 th , May 26 th and June 2 nd are the respective starting dates for ARCHELON’s conservation projects in the Peloponnese, which will be completed by the end of September. People from many countries, including Greece, many of them of young age, as well as groups and families are applying for participation in the loggerhead conservation projects on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia, Lakonikos and Koroni.
Hundreds of female loggerhead sea turtles have already started their journey to the nesting beaches of Greece. Almost half of the nests of this protected species in the Mediterranean, will be made in Greece. According to ARCHELON’s data, a total of about 6000 nests were recorded in the main nesting beaches of Greece in 2018 and 4300 of them were located in the Peloponnese. In other words, about 195.000 hatchlings from the beaches of Peloponnese reached the Mediterranean in 2018 and 173.000 from them came from nests protected by the volunteers of ARCHELON. Out of these thousands of hatchlings, few – at best one in a thousand- will make it to adulthood.
The Kyparissia project is the first to start, in the beginning of May, as the coastal waters of the Bay and the long sandy beach in this area, host one of the largest breeding populations of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean. This area hosted more than 3200 nests in 2018 and since last October has been declared as Nature Protection Area. ARCHELON’s project includes monitoring and protection of nests against a number of pressures and public awareness.
Nesting of loggerheads is also observed in the beaches of Kotychi, north of Kyparissia Bay, where ARCHELON is recording and protecting nests for the last 2 years, in collaboration with the National Wetland Park there. Similarly, nests are recorded and protected in Romanos beach, near Pylos, south of Kyparissia Bay, in collaboration with COSTA NAVARINO.
The Lakonikos project, which comes second in number of nests in the Peloponnese, will start at the end of May. The project surveys and protects nests in the beaches of Evrotas, Valtaki, Selinitsa, Mavrovouni and Vathy. A total of about 500 nests were recorded in this project in 2018.
The beaches of Monemvasia and Elaphonisos are also monitored and sea turtle nests are protected by ARCHELON in collaboration with the local Society Tulipa Goulimis of Neapoli.
More than 500 people from Greece and worldwide, volunteer to participate in ARCHELON’s projects from May to September every year. Training on their duties is provided by experts and they have the opportunity to enhance their practical skills and experience being part of an international conservation team. More than 60 internships are provided every year in collaboration with 30 educational establishments.
Information about ARCHELON's programs in Zakynthos, Crete and the Peloponnese can be found on our website: https://www.archelon.gr.
If you are interested in participating in any of ARCHELON’s projects, please fill in the form online at: https://www.archelon.gr/eng/form_eng.php?mid=2&mid2=53&mid3=70
Participation in sea turtle conservation actions is not only possible, it’s fascinating: A look into the Kyparissia Bay project of ARCHELON
A high number of loggerhead nests on Zakynthos island in 2018: what else is needed to achieve good conservation status for the species in Laganas bay?
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS01/07/2025
Satellite Tagging Completed and Captured on Film in Crete
ARCHELON has just successfully completed the 2025 deployment of satellite transmitters on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Crete, as part of the ongoing LIFE MareNatura Project. This year’s work in Crete was extra special: the LIFE MareNatura Documentary team joined us in the field!
- OUR NEWS23/06/2025
Enjoy the Beaches Responsibly: Together We Protect the Sea Turtles of Kyparissia Bay!
So far, more than 2,000 nests have been recorded in the area. In order to best manage the protected beaches, we have adapted our field work protocols.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2025
World Sea Turtle Day: We can all live together!
Today, June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day. On this occasion, ARCHELON expresses its warmest thanks to all citizens, volunteers, donors and supporters who actively contribute to our work.
- OUR NEWS10/06/2025
New Adaptation Strategies for Sea Turtles and Mediterranean Monk Seals
Institutions, associations and researchers will work for 5 years alongside the coastal communities to evaluate and respond to the effects of rising sea levels and ocean warming. These are to be developed through the ‘LIDE ADAPTS’ project which is being carried out in Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
World Oceans Day: Conservation and Anthropogenic “Wounds” in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos
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 NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
ARCHELON volunteers have just located the first sea turtle nests of the season on the beaches of Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. Now the challenge to prove that tourism destinations on Crete can make a significant move towards sustainability is on again.
- 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
Sea turtle facial scales remain stable throughout a turtle’s life allowing researchers to recognise individuals from photos, often taken over decades!
- OUR NEWS15/05/2025
Kyparissia Bay: Balancing Nature and Tourism
Αs the popularity of the protected area increases and pressures from tourism and climate change intensify, the question that arises is: How many people can this beach “bear” without degrading the environment?
- 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.