Sea Turtle Beach Walk
Experience the wonders of Rethymno's sandy beach by booking a guided walk with an ARCHELON volunteer.
During this 30-minute excursion, you'll explore the remarkable nesting site of Caretta Caretta sea turtles, internationally protected creatures, and gain fascinating insights about their lives.
Rethymno, a jewel on the Cretan coastline, is renowned not only for its captivating history and vibrant culture but also for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.
This commitment to environmental excellence is deeply intertwined with a remarkable natural phenomenon: the annual nesting of the magnificent loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta.
For centuries, these ancient mariners have chosen Rethymno's shores as their sanctuary, a testament to the enduring purity of our marine environment.
To celebrate and protect this invaluable natural heritage, ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, invites both locals and visitors to embark on an enlightening journey: the "Sea Turtle Walk."
This engaging 45-minute guided experience offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and deepen your understanding of these incredible creatures.
It's an ideal environmental experience, especially for families with young children, providing an engaging and educational outdoor adventure that fosters a love for nature from an early age.
An Immersive Encounter with Nature's Wonders
Led by a knowledgeable ARCHELON volunteer, your walk will trace a segment of Rethymno's vital nesting beach. This isn't just a stroll; it's an immersive exploration designed to illuminate the delicate balance of our coastal ecosystem. You'll begin by uncovering fascinating aspects of sea turtle biology and their incredible life cycle, learning about their epic migrations and the challenges they overcome.
As you progress along the shoreline, strategically placed stops will allow you to delve into the intricacies of the fragile sand dune ecosystem – a crucial habitat often overlooked. Depending on the season, you might witness the tell-tale tracks of a nesting female, the miniature trails of newly hatched sea turtles making their arduous journey to the sea, or even active sea turtle nests, carefully marked and protected by ARCHELON's dedicated team. This direct observation offers a powerful, tangible connection to the ongoing conservation efforts.
Rethymno's Commitment to a Shared Future
The Caretta caretta's enduring presence on Rethymno's shores underscores the exceptional cleanliness of our beaches and the remarkable clarity of our seawater. It is a source of immense pride that these vulnerable creatures continue to select our coastline for their reproductive cycle, a clear indicator of our community's dedication to environmental stewardship.
However, even in such idyllic surroundings, sea turtles face significant threats, many stemming from human activity.
During your walk, you'll gain crucial insights into these challenges and, crucially, discover actionable steps you can take to contribute to their protection. This educational component is central to ARCHELON's multi-sectoral environmental awareness program, which integrates environmental interpretation as a powerful conservation tool.
The goal is to foster a deeper understanding of nesting beaches, the vital role of dunes, and how to promote harmonious human-sea turtle interactions.
A Collective Effort for Conservation
Rethymno's sea turtle nesting activity spans an impressive 12 kilometers of coastline, hosting an average of 200 nests annually.
Each one of these precious nests is diligently monitored and safeguarded by a diverse team of ARCHELON volunteers, who arrive from various corners of the globe, united by a shared passion for conservation. Their tireless efforts are instrumental in ensuring the survival of this endangered species.
By joining the Sea Turtle Walk, you become an active participant in this vital mission. You'll not only gain a profound appreciation for Rethymno's natural wonders but also empower yourself with knowledge that can contribute to a sustainable future for both our community and these magnificent marine creatures.
To participate in the tour, please reserve your seat online.
Don't forget to bring a hat and water to stay comfortable during the tour. The walk will be conducted in English.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect with Rethymno's living heritage.
Join the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Walk and become a guardian of our shared natural treasures!
For further inquiries, you can reach us by phone at +30 693 691 3494, available Monday to Sunday from 07:30 to 17:00, or by email at
