Best time to travel to Turkey

Loggerhead Turtles in Turkey

Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the beaches of Turkey’s Eastern Mediterranean region during the summer

Best time: late May–early September

Loggerhead Turtles
Loggerhead Turtles
Loggerhead Turtles

If you love seeing sea turtles in their natural habitat, the beaches of Turkey’s Eastern Mediterranean region (the coasts of Adana, Mersin, and Hatay; Çıralı Beach) are a place you have to visit. Green and loggerhead sea turtles (aka Caretta) call the coasts home in the summer and lay their eggs before heading back to sea.

Once, there were 434 nests on Akyatan beach, and about 10,500 turtles emerged from eggs in those nests. People from the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Directorate and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) do their best to help baby turtles reach the sea after their birth and stay safe during this journey. Unfortunately, over 200 dead turtles have washed ashore across the Turkish coasts over the past two years. The thing is that lots of them suffer from the consumption of plastic materials. That’s why volunteers try hard to save the reptiles and prevent their extinction.

Practical info

When is the best time to visit Turkey to see loggerhead turtles?

Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs between late May and early September in Turkey's Eastern Mediterranean region. This time is ideal for visitors hoping to see them, and there's a chance of spotting baby turtles making their way to the sea as well. Show more

Where are the beaches in Turkey where loggerhead turtles lay their eggs?

Loggerhead turtles can commonly be found laying their eggs in the Eastern Mediterranean region, such as the coasts of Adana, Mersin, and Hatay and Çıralı Beach. These areas are critical to the preservation of sea turtles in the country and are closely monitored by various organizations. Show more

How many nests of loggerhead turtles were found on Akyatan beach?

In the past years and on Akyatan Beach, more than 400 nests of loggerhead turtles have been identified, with over 10,000 turtle hatchlings. This is one of the most crucial nesting sites for loggerhead turtles that receive a great deal of attention from different organizations like the World Wildlife Fund and the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Directorate. Show more

What organizations are helping to protect the loggerhead turtles in Turkey?

The Wildlife Protection and National Parks Directorate and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are playing a crucial role in protecting loggerhead turtles within Turkey. Their conservation efforts involve raising awareness amongst local communities about the threats loggerhead turtles face from plastics, fishing, and habitat loss, as well as helping turtles to recuperate from these problems. Show more

What are the main dangers that loggerhead turtles face in Turkey's Eastern Mediterranean region besides predators?

Loggerhead turtles are susceptible to various challenges besides natural predators. Plastic pollution and garbage can be ingested or get in the way of the turtles, causing problems. Turtle conservation experts also reference accidental absorption in fishing nets and rising temperatures caused by climate change, which, in turn, alters nesting behaviors among female turtles. These issues interfere with the turtles' sustainability, stressing the need for proper conservation measures. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin