Two sea turtles will be released back into their natural habitat by the staff of the Cretaquarium of HCMR, weather permitting. These releases are part of the ongoing “Marine Species in Danger” initiative, which is carried out with the valuable support of the Region of Crete.

The first release will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM, featuring a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). She’ll make her way back into the open sea from the beach right in front of the Cretaquarium.

The second release will follow on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the same time, with the return of a young loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), also at the same location.

The Story of the Two Turtles

The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was discovered on January 28, 2022, on the beach of Anissaras, on the north coast of the Municipality of Hersonissos. She was found washed ashore, extremely weak and in critical condition, likely due to a period of severe weather. It was local resident Manos Amanakis who found her and immediately handed her over to the Cretaquarium, right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She was placed in a warm, indoor quarantine space, where she received intensive care from the aquarium's husbandry team. Thanks to their persistent efforts, the turtle recovered and, after 1,379 days (about four years) of treatment and close monitoring, she is now healthy, lively, and ready to return to the warm waters of her natural home.

As is customary for every turtle released back into the wild, she will be given a name—this time by her rescuer, Manos Amanakis, as a tribute to the role he played in saving this protected animal.

The second turtle, a young loggerhead (Caretta caretta), was found on February 14, 2025, on "Konaki" beach in Kokkini Hani, again in the Municipality of Hersonissos. Members of the local SUP & SURF sports club discovered her dehydrated and entangled in a thin fishing line, which had lightly injured her front flipper and neck.

She was immediately transferred to the Cretaquarium, where the line was removed and she received veterinary care from Dr. Polychronis Nikiforakis, a collaborating vet, along with a targeted medication protocol.

After 237 days (about nine months) of rehabilitation and care, she made a full recovery and is now healthy and active. Upon her release, she will be named by the members of SUP & SURF, in honour of their role in her rescue.