Frequently Asked Questions:

DO YOU HAVE SEA TURTLES AT YOUR CENTER?

No. We are a turtle information center that focus on conservation through education to help save turtles by preventing tourists from becoming a threat to Zakynthos. However, we do have terrapins and tortoises at our center.

WHEN ARE YOU OPEN?

We are open everyday 9:00 am -20:00 pm with free entry until we close our center in October and during the winter months until we reopen in April.

WHO ARE WE?

We are a non-governmental organisation, founded in 1991 and our center was built in 2012. We are an information center focused on conservation by education to help tourists rescue turtles by preventing them from becoming a threat to the environment and the sea turtles during their stay.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

We collect turtle nesting data on Gerakas Beach every day at 07:00 am, organise litter picks, rescue tortoises and terrapins, operate on of Zakynthos’ only recycling centers, develop protection policies, and tackle sand erosion by inventing our sand saver shower system because 70% of the sand on Gerakas Beach has been lost due to tourism.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

Our center is on the island of Zakynthos which is park of the Ionian Greek islands. We are located at the southern tip of the island in Vasilikos where Gerakas beach is, which we are about 100 metres behind. Gerakas Beach is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE TO TOURISTS?

Do not go to turtle nesting beaches because tourists damage the beach and turtle hatchlings. Do not go on turtle spotting tours, they harm turtles by causing them to experience heart attack symptoms and drop their eggs in the sea which will produce hatchlings. 

HOW ARE TOURISTS A THREAT?

Tourists do not adhere to the rules of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos with the main goal of ‘seeing a turtle’ putting them at great risk. They walk too close to the nests damaging the hatchlings.

WHY ARE TURTLE SPOTTING TOURS BAD?

Turtle-spotting boats stress turtles causing them to experience heart attack symptoms and drop their eggs, none of which will produce. They also do not respect the speed limit and the motors hit turtles, either injuring them or killing them.

WHAT DO I DO IF I SEE A TURTLE?

Adult turtle: do not get too close or touch them and do no shine any lights on them as you will frighten them.

Baby turtle hatchlings: keep your distance and do not touch them or help them to the sea, they need to make the journey on their own otherwise they could drown and die.

HOW CAN I HELP SAVE THE TURTLES OF ZAKYNTHOS?

Volunteer: we take volunteers from April-October every year to help us manage daily operations at our center.

Donate: we rely on donations to help fund our center, you can find out how to donate on our website. Every donation is appreciated, big or small!

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY IMPACT ON THE TURTLE NESTING BEACHES?

Stick to the rocky side of beaches, not the sand. Wash off any sand in the sea and use the sand saver showers at our center to help us recycle and return the sand taken from the beach, back to the beach.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PROTECT THE SEA TURTLES OF ZAKYNTHOS?

80% of the loggerhead sea turtle population in the Mediterranean Sea nest on the beaches of Zakynthos. 1 in 1000 hatchlings survive to adulthood due to the threats they face which is why The European Commission has named the loggerhead sea turtle an endangered species in the European Union. They are also regarded as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

WHY IS TOURISM BAD FOR TURTLES?

Some tourists do not respect the turtles by going beyond the barrier walking over turtle nests, touching turtles, searching for turtles nesting at night, going on turtle spotting tours which scare them resulting in heart attack symptoms so they drop their eggs in the sea, they take sand from the beach that turtles need to lat their eggs, and dig up turtle nests, pick up and play with hatchlings, put hatchlings straight into the sea causing them to drown, and leave litter that kills turtles.

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL MARINE PARK OF ZAKYNTHOS?

The National Marine Park of Zakynthos Aims to protect and preserve species of flora and fauna, and the Loggerhead Caretta-caretta, promoting sustainable development. The marine area includes the beaches where the Caretta caretta turtles lay and hatch their eggs, including Gerakas, Dafni, Sekania, Kalamaki, and Marathonisi Beach. 

WHY ARE SEA TURTLES IMPORTANT?

Sea turtles are essential to maintain a healthy, balanced oceanic eco-environment. They maintain coral reefs and seagrass, control jellyfish populations, and can provide nutrients that support coastal vegetation. Furthermore, over 100 types of animals and plants can live on a sea turtle’s shell; each shell has their own micro-habitat.

WHAT PREDATORS ARE A THREAT TO TURTLES ON ZAKYNTHOS?

Predators INCLUDING ghost crabs and seagulls attack hatchlings on their journey to the sea. Ghost crabs are an invasive species on Gerakas Beach that are not supposed to be there, it is not natural, and they kill hatchlings.

WHY IS CLIMATE CHANGE BAD FOR TURTLES?

Climate change damages nests with sea level rise, and warmer temperatures will result in more females.

WHY IS BEACH DEVELOPMENT BAD FOR TURTLES?

Uncontrolled beach development erodes the beaches so there is not enough sand for the turtles.

WHY IS LIGHT POLLUTION BAD FOR TURTLES?

Light pollution disorientates adult and baby turtles away from the sea and further inland.

WHY IS MARINE DEBRIS BAD FOR TURTLES?

Marine Debris kills turtles because they mistake rubbish like plastic bags for jellyfish.