The rain did not prevent the celebration of World Turtle Day
On Sunday, May 28, the phone rung many times at the Rescue Center by citizens asking if the planned event will be canceled due to bad weather conditions. Not only was it not canceled, but the attendance for the World Turtle Day event at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre at the 3rd Marina of Glyfada surpassed all expectations. Though the rain was unstoppable and the temperature was considerably low, about 350 people left their home to participate in the celebration that we organize each year on the last Sunday of May. Our young friends again had the opportunity to take part in activities such as group collage, face painting, constructions, jewelers, toys and guided tours around the tanks with the injured sea turtles.
A different but simultaneous ARCHELON event with the slogan "Love is the goal. LIFE is the journey" was celebrated the same day for the European Day of NATURA 2000 and the 25 years of the LIFE Program implementation. The rain did not prevent our members and friends from honoring us with their presence and participating in the LIFE and ARCHELON presentation and in the screening of the film: "Our wealth is the richness of the sea." The Mayor of Glyfada, Mr. Giorgos Papanikolaou together with the Chairman of our Directors Board, Mr Thomas Arapi, inaugurated two new tanks that were funded by the LIFE EuroTurtles program.
I would like to thank all the attendees who honored us with their presence and of course, the driving force behind this effort was the great help of 28 Greek and foreign volunteers who once again showed their passion for what they do.
Have a good summer everyone with love and respect for our ecosystem!
Anthoula Togia ARCHELON Environmental Education Officer
Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (April 2017)?
Dead sea turtle in Zakynthos
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS26/06/2026
ARCHELON & TUI Turtle Aid Greece: 3 successful years in Crete
With the completion of the “TUI Turtle Aid Greece” project, ARCHELON presents impressive results in nest protection, the hotel employees training and raising awareness among 66,000 tourists.
- OUR NEWS22/06/2026
ARCHELON expresses its sorrow at the loss of Mona Khalil
- OUR NEWS19/06/2026
The world of marine megafauna: New Photo Exhibition at Agiannakis Environmental Station
The Exhibition is part of the LIFE MareNatura Project and is open to the public every Saturday 18:00 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2026
New data reveals that sea turtles follow much more complex migration strategies
World Sea Turtle Day is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, but also to remember why we continue to research and protect these ancient ocean travellers.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2026
Coordinated action in Greece, Cyprus and Italy to protect sea turtles against the climate crisis
Today, June 16, the world celebrates World Sea Turtle Day. In the Mediterranean, this celebration comes at a critical turning point.
- OUR NEWS15/06/2026
Turtle Festival: Diving into Deep Waters at ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Rescue Centre!
On the occasion of World Sea Turtle Day (June 16), last Saturday the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre opened its doors to the public for this year’s Turtle Festival, themed “Into Deep Waters.”
- OUR NEWS09/06/2026
Celebrating World Environment Day with Sea Turtles in Rethymno
Last Friday, ARCHELON's team in Rethymno took part in a special awareness-raising event, co-organized by the Municipality and the 2nd Experimental Primary School of Rethymno.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2026
Clean beaches, safe turtles: Our guide to responsible action
See some simple but crucial rules that must be followed for clean nesting beaches!
- OUR NEWS29/05/2026
Eight Hotels in northern Crete Receive “Turtle-Friendly” Certification from the TUI Care Foundation.
The eight hotel establishments in Northern Crete are among the first businesses worldwide to receive the new “Turtle-Friendly” certification from the TUI Care Foundation, developed in collaboration with ARCHELON. This distinction recognizes their commitment to protecting the nesting beaches of the loggerhead sea turtle and highlights the importance of cooperation between the tourism sector and nature conservation initiatives.
- OUR NEWS25/05/2026
Greek beaches stand out with 624 "Blue Flags"
On May 14th we met at Paleo Faliro for the official announcement of the 2026 awards of the International Blue Flag Program, organized by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature.
- OUR NEWS18/05/2026
The nesting season has started in Greece: The first sea turtle nests for 2026 are spotted!
The first nests of the loggerhead sea turtle for 2026 have been found in Kyparissia Bay and in Zakynthos.
- OUR NEWS07/05/2026
ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Tours presented in a Japanese Seminar for Sustainable Tourism
ur Sea Turtle Tours recently featured as a highlight in the Sustainable Tourism International Talk Sessions, organized by the Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies.
- OUR NEWS04/05/2026
Kids Turtle Festival 2026 "In Deep Water"
The ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre opens its doors on World Turtle Day, June 13, and invites young and old to this year’s Kids Turtle Festival 2026 “In Deep Water”.
- OUR NEWS30/04/2026
Sea Turtle Beach Walk in Crete: A unique eco-tourism experience
The Sea Turtle Beach Walk is an organized activity that allows participants to get to know the natural environment of the sea turtle nesting site up close. Book your place now!
- OUR NEWS18/04/2026
How a sea turtle illuminated the unknown paths of the Aegean
Helen Jane was not just another dead sea turtle found on the Greek coastline. For ARCHELON researchers, she was a living beacon of information