tourism

Eight Crete Hotels Earn Turtle-Friendly Certification

Friday, 26 June 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Eight hotels in Crete have received the "Turtle-Friendly Hotel" certification, marking three years of collaboration between local accommodations and Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. The certification recognizes hotels that take active steps to protect loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), which nest on Cretan beaches each summer, particularly along the southern and northern coastlines. Certified hotels follow guidelines such as reducing beachfront lighting at night, keeping sunbeds away from nesting zones, and educating guests about turtle behavior. For visitors, this means some beach areas may have restricted access or reduced lighting after dark during nesting season, roughly May through October. Tourists can support conservation efforts by avoiding marked nest zones on beaches, not using flash photography near turtles, and choosing certified accommodations. Archelon also welcomes volunteers and welcomes tourists to learn more through their local information points across the island.

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