Crete - Messara bay
The bay of Messara is located in southern Crete, 65 km from the city of Heraklion. The nesting beach has a total length of 8 km, and great natural beauty. Building and tourist pressure is observed in a few places, thus the area offers moments of peace to its guests. Messara bay has been included in the European Ecological network NATURA 2000.
We can all live together
ARCHELON's activity for the conservation of sea turtles in the area began in 1993 and continue to this day, with the cooperation of the competent authorities and several of the local businesses.
More than 500 volunteers from all over the world help us protect sea turtles in Greece every year. In 2022, a total of approximately 115 nests were recorded and protected in Messara Bay and thousands of baby turtles found their way to the sea!
You can meet ARCHELON volunteers and learn more by visiting the ARCHELON Information Station at Matala town or by booking a sea turtle beach walk with our volunteers! You can also find more information about the public events that ARCHELON organizes in the area on ARCHELON’s social media.
Attention beach users!
We all share this beach with the Loggerhead sea turtles, which lay their eggs here every summer. Sea turtles are globally protected species.
How to enjoy the beach without disturbing the breeding sites of the sea turtles?
- We are all welcome in the beach from sunrise to sunset. Please avoid the beaches during night hours.
- Driving on the beach and sand dunes is forbidden.
- Αll beach furniture and umbrellas must be put away at night to allow space for sea turtles to nest.
- The use of artificial lights, bonfires and parties on the beach at night are not allowed.
- The cages and the protective grids over the nests are important – please respect them.
- The hatchlings must reach the sea on their own – please do not touch them.
- The beaches must stay clean – please do not litter.
- Ask for ARCHELON’s educational presentation in your hotel or camping site.
Lights off or covered!
Artificial lights on the beach confuse the hatchlings, which will fail to get to the sea, and will die from dehydration or cars. When hatchlings leave the nest, they need to find their way to the sea following the reflection of the moon and the starts on the water. Artificial lights on the beach will disorientate baby turtles, and they will eventually die lost in bushes, or killed by cars. Help us keep the beaches free of artificial lights. Ask everyone to turn off any lights that reach the beach after 11pm!
