tourism

Crete Certifies First Sea Turtle-Friendly Hotels

Saturday, 27 June 2026/Source: Haniotika Nea/1 min read

Crete has certified its first hotels officially recognized as sea turtle-friendly, following an announcement by ARCHELON, the Greek Sea Turtle Protection Society. ARCHELON has operated on the island every summer for decades, monitoring nesting beaches and coordinating conservation efforts for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), a protected species that nests along several Cretan coastlines, particularly in Rethymno and Chania regions. Hotels earning this certification have adopted practices that reduce threats to nesting turtles, including limiting beach lighting at night, restricting sunbed placement near nest sites, and training staff to respond appropriately during nesting season (May to October). Tourists staying at certified properties can expect guidance on responsible beach behavior near marked nests. Visitors to any Cretan beach are reminded not to disturb marked nest areas, avoid using lights or flash photography near the waterline after dark, and report turtle sightings to ARCHELON.

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