https://m.youtube.com/shorts/3QYBP6mZZYk
On a special morning in Apollonas village, on the northern coast of Naxos, something truly historic happened — the first-ever recorded Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatched on the island.
After 59 days of waiting, just after 8:00 AM, tiny hatchlings slowly emerged from the warm sand and made their way to the sea — beginning their long journey through the ocean. It was a moment of wonder and hope, both for the people who witnessed it and for the conservation efforts across the island.
But this wasn’t the only sea turtle activity on Naxos this year.
On August 11th, a sea turtle nest was discovered at Agios Prokopios beach — one of the busiest and most crowded beaches on Naxos. Despite the high human activity in the area, the nest was immediately protected and monitored. However, since no one witnessed the turtle laying the eggs, the species has not been confirmed.
Then, on August 23rd, another surprise came from the south of the island — this time from Mikri Vigla village, about 18 kilometers from Naxos town. A Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nest was found and, once again, proper protection measures were taken. An informative brochure was placed around the area, including an emergency contact number to help safeguard the nest and raise awareness among locals and visitors.
We want to express our sincere thanks to Naxos Wildlife Protection for their dedication and work in monitoring, protecting, and informing the public about these incredible sea turtle nesting events. These moments remind us that nature can surprise us — even in places full of people, even when we least expect it. Let’s continue to protect these small miracles and make sure Naxos remains a welcoming place for sea turtles of all kinds.
Want to help protect sea turtles?
Support local wildlife groups, stay informed, and always respect protected nesting areas during your beach visits. But above all: respect the environment, do not leave any garbage behind and please be kind and maybe get some garbage, that was left behind from other people or they washed out from the sea.
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Yannis and Stella @Apollon, Naxos 