Visiting the sea turtle nesting beaches of Crete during spring!
One generation follows another and now the first ever pupils who were informed about sea turtles on Crete in the 80’s have become parents. Their kids, in elementary schools of Chania and Rethymno were, in turn, informed about sea turtles last week. Odysseas Paxinos, the project officer of Crete and Panagiota Theodorou, ARCHELON’s conservation coordinator, carried out ARCHELON’s spring visit on Crete and talked about sea turtles, their conservation, and their role in the global marine ecosystems. ARCHELON’s projects were also presented and the whole summer plan for their beaches was explained.
The spring visit included Informative meetings in Chania, Rethymno and Iraklion about the implementation of nesting beach protection measures. These include removal of beach furniture during the night (sunbeds, canoes, seabikes), reduction of photo- pollution from private and public lights, avoiding human presence of the beaches during the night as well as avoiding driving vehicles on the beaches. The meetings were attended by environment officers of the Regional Units of Chania, Rethymnon, Irakleion, representatives of the Municipalities, Coastal Guard officers and businesses operating on the beaches.
According to ARCHELON’s annual report on the conservation of the loggerhead turtles on Crete, 446 nests were identified and protected in the three main nesting habitats - that is the beaches of Rethymno, Chania and Messara bay- , during the 2018 nesting season.
The tourist season will soon be starting and hundreds of thousands of visitors will be arriving in Crete. In specific beaches, however, they are going to meet with the sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. TUI CARE FOUNDATION is kindly funding ARCHELON’s actions for information and awareness of tourists and pupils. These actions could not be realized without the help of hundreds of volunteers who participate in the sea turtle monitoring and conservation projects of ARCHELON.
Photographing sea turtles for 12 years
The Peloponnese is a very important region for the conservation of sea turtles in the Mediterranean
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS12/09/2025
Τhe first green sea turtle nest has hatched in Naxos island!
The emergence of a nest on Naxos is a sign that the geographical range of this threatened species in the Mediterranean may be expanding.
- OUR NEWS09/09/2025
School Tours at ARCHELON: Reserve Your Spot from September 11
The magical world of sea turtles and the people who are taking care of them is waiting, offering you a unique experience and valuable knowledge.
- OUR NEWS05/09/2025
The first report of 2025 delivered from Romanos Beach, Messinia
From mid-May to early September 2025, the project recorded about 80 nests along the 2.7 km stretch of Romanos beach.
- OUR NEWS29/08/2025
Turtle Run in Chania: Lace up your running shoes and get ready!
September 7th, Chania: Join the event and support the protection of one of the most iconic marine species in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS27/08/2025
Citizens Help us Map Sea Turtle Sporadic Nesting in the Ionian Sea
This study is particularly important as it highlights the power of citizen science. Public eyes on beaches, outreach through online platforms and new reporting tools are expanding our understanding of turtle nesting beyond the beaches we monitor.
- OUR NEWS20/08/2025
A nesting turtle brings hope amidst a night of fire
After a 12-hour period filled with fear and uncertainty, the family witnessed a miracle of nature. “It brought us peace and reminded us of what is important”.
- OUR NEWS14/08/2025
ARCHELON’s Life-Saving Chain with the Support of the Green Fund
Thanks to persistence, medication, daily care, and a great deal of patience, “Snowball” gradually moved from a critical state to full recovery.
- OUR NEWS31/07/2025
ATTENTION! Please do not feed sea turtles – They are not pets- Protect them from human induced impacts
ARCHELON informs that the phenomenon of feeding sea turtles by people in coastal areas, ports and tourist spots has been observed in recent years. Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems – for turtles and for people alike.
- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS09/07/2025
Inspections in Zakynthos and Kyparissia by representatives of the Bern Convention
The experts were in Greece to monitor the implementation of the Recommendations adopted by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention to our country regarding the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle and the ongoing threats faced by the species in its largest breeding habitats in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS02/07/2025
Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
For over four decades, many people have been reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. Thanks to them, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas