First loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings of 2026 emerge in Zakynthos

The 2026 nesting season for loggerhead sea turtles has begun on Greek beaches, with Zakynthos marking the emergence of the first hatchlings. Greece remains the most significant nesting ground for this species within the Mediterranean.

Volunteers from ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society, identified the first hatched nest on Dafni beach in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, early on Tuesday, July 14. They immediately alerted the local management unit of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (OFIYPETKA) to implement necessary protective measures.

Over the coming weeks, thousands of hatchlings will undertake their crucial journey from nests to the sea. ARCHELON teams conduct daily patrols along nesting coastlines, including Laganas Bay, Kyparissiakos Bay, Koroni, Laconian Bay, Rethymno, Chania, and Messara Bay. Special attention is given to beaches with significant light pollution, such as those in Rethymno, Chania, and Laconian Bay, where protective shading is installed to prevent hatchlings from becoming disoriented by artificial lights.

ARCHELON advises visitors to nesting beaches to behave responsibly during the hatching period. Hatchlings are extremely vulnerable and may be harmed by nighttime beach activity, artificial lights, human contact, or obstacles. Visitors are urged to avoid beaches at night, turn off artificial lights, refrain from touching or moving hatchlings, and protect them from the sun. They should also clear any obstacles from the hatchlings' path to the sea.