The Peloponnese - Koroni
Koroni and the adjacent Zanga - Memi beach are found at the southwest end of the Messinian Gulf, about 50 km from the city of Kalamata. The 2.7 km long beach, is a prime summer tourist destination that that hosts an average of 70 nests per year. The beach is included in the Natura 2000 site with GR2550010 code, SITENAME “THALASSIA PERIOCHI NOTIAS MESSINIAS”.
You can meet the ARCHELON volunteers and find out more about sea turtles at the Information Station at the front of the Koroni Townhall
See the directions below for visitors in the area.
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.
**Also, keep in mind that... **
- driving on the beach and sand dunes is forbidden.
- all 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.
How can you help?
- 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!
More than 500 volunteers from all over the world help us protect sea turtles in Greece every year. In 2022 around 106 nests were recorded and protected and thousands of baby turtles found their way to the sea!
ARCHELON- the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece was founded in 1983 and is a non-profit Association active all over Greece. All of ARCHELON activities in the Peloponnese, which include monitoring and protecting the reproduction of sea turtles, and raising public awareness, are performed in close collaboration with the local authorities.
