Are you ready for a unique experience close to nature, the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to sea turtle conservation?
For more than 40 years, ARCHELON has been protecting sea turtles and their habitats, with the support of thousands of volunteers. Every year, people from different countries come together with a shared goal: protecting nature. From May until autumn 2027, ARCHELON’s teams will be working on some of Greece’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, as well as in areas where sea turtles require systematic scientific monitoring. Meanwhile, at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada, the effort to care for injured and sick turtles continues throughout the year.
Field Projects for Summer 2027: Become Part of the Effort!
ARCHELON’s largest projects, in Zakynthos, Kyparissia, Rethymno and Chania, offer the greatest number of volunteer positions.
- Zakynthos, Laganas Bay (5 May – 15 October 2027): Your mission will be to help protect Zakynthos’ famous beaches, which host more than 1,000 Loggerhead sea turtle nests. Alongside protecting sea turtles, you will also help raise awareness among the thousands of tourists who visit the island every summer.
- Kyparissia Bay (5 May – 30 September 2027): Your mission will be to monitor and protect this habitat, located within a Nature Protection Area, which hosts the largest breeding population of Loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean. The number of nests recorded here continues to increase (recently exceeding 6,000 nests!), making this project crucial for the future of the species.
- Rethymno, Crete (5 May – 15 October 2027): Tourism activities and visitor facilities reduce the available nesting space, making your mission to protect the local Loggerhead sea turtle subpopulation particularly important. Raising awareness among visitors and promoting responsible tourism will be essential parts of your work in this project.
- Chania, Crete (10 May – 10 October 2027): Tourism activities and visitor facilities affect the sea turtles nesting on the beach, making your mission to protect this local Loggerhead sea turtle subpopulation particularly important. Public awareness and the promotion of sustainable tourism will be vital parts of your work in this project.
In Lakonikos Bay, Koroni and Messara Bay, smaller teams offer a different experience of collaboration and community involvement:
- Lakonikos Bay, Peloponnese (26 May – 25 September 2027): Join a dedicated team of 15–25 volunteers working to protect the sea turtles of the bay, raise public awareness and build meaningful, long-lasting connections with the local community.
- Koroni, Peloponnese (2 June – 31 August 2027): Work alongside a dedicated team of 10–15 volunteers to protect sea turtles, raise awareness and develop meaningful, long-term relationships with the local community.
- Messara Bay, Crete (26 May – 15 September 2027): Become part of a small team of 10–15 volunteers working to protect the sea turtles in the area, raise public awareness and build strong, long-lasting relationships with the local community.
Two Additional Projects with Very Limited Places! In addition to the seven summer field projects on nesting beaches, ARCHELON offers two more unique volunteering opportunities.
- Amvrakikos Gulf, Western Greece (29 June – 31 August 2027): An excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in capture techniques used to study population dynamics in the Amvrakikos Gulf, an important foraging ground for sea turtles. You will receive training in how to safely and effectively capture sea turtles for a few minutes and record their measurements, working alongside a small team of 6–8 volunteers.
- Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, Glyfada (year-round): Get involved in this busy programme, where a small team of 6–8 volunteers helps care for sea turtles, prepare their food, keep their tanks and other facilities clean, interact with visitors and run a small souvenir shop.
No Previous Experience Required!
ARCHELON’s projects are open to volunteers aged 18 and over, from Greece and abroad. No previous experience is necessary, as all the required training is provided. A good command of English, good physical fitness, a willingness to work as part of a team and a strong sense of commitment are important qualities.
Participation in the field projects requires time and active involvement in daily activities. The minimum participation period, dates and conditions vary between programmes, so make sure to check the details before submitting your application.
Explore ARCHELON’s 2027 Volunteer Programmes and Find the One That Suits You!
– Learn more about the projects, requirements and volunteer contributions, and submit your application
– Discover the 2027 Volunteer Brochure
