Zante Travel Forum

Hi all,

No matter i'm a Greek i've never been to Zakynthos yet; i'm going there this year though. I've heard about this wonderful turtle event and that only 3/1000 of them finally make it - i guess people have something to do with that.

Anyways, there is a day or a period of days that baby turtles pop out of their eggs and start walking towards the sea. This has to be a great thing to watch so i'd like to ask if anyone got to see it and what was the date cos i'd like to go.

I already know turtles leave their eggs between June and August, but i wanna know when the eggs get broken and newborns get out.

Thanks!

Hi.

I'm also Greek, but I will reply in English so that more people can read..

I went to Zakynthos as a volunteer for the Sea Turtle Protection Society "Archelon" about ten years ago. I was placed on the beach of Laganas, one of the most important turtle reproduction beaches, but unfortunately one of the most touristic ones. There was a real war between the "turtle people" and the hotel owners about the use of umbrellas and sunbeds, which are really serious obstacles for the turtles. I hope things have changed for the better now, but I have now idea what's going on. I haven't been back since then.

Having said that, watching the hatchlings emerge from the sand at dawn has been one of the most rewarding sights I have ever seen. The nests hatch during mid to late September, usually during the night. The reflection of the moonlight on the surface of the sea guides the baby turtles. Lights on the area from hotels, restaurants and night clubs disorientate them, and they end up never making it to the sea.

So you see, the sea turtle is an animal, the survival of which is immensely affected by human activity. It would be fatal for them if you started walking around the beach, looking for hatchlings and taking pictures using flash in your camera, for example. If you really really have to try to see them, I would advise you to take walks on the wet part of the sand at dawn (so that you risk less chances of accidentally stepping on them), and look around for them. If you do happen to come across a hatching nest, do not stand on the way between the nest and the sea and under no circumstances attempt to pick up the baby turtles and assist them to the sea. This first trip of their lives is printed in their memories and they use it to find their way back to this specific beach many years later, when it's time to lay their own eggs.

I hope I helped. I'm sure that once on the island you can find "Archelon" volunteers that can give you more information.

take care

Magda