Watching North Cyprus turtles is an unforgettable experience. Of the world’s seven species of sea turtle, the green turtle, (Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) both lay nests in Cyprus.
If you are planning a trip to North Cyprus, don’t miss the chance to watch beautiful turtles.
More about North Cyprus Turtles (green turtle and loggerhead turtle)
Two species nest in the sand of North Cyprus beaches, The green turtle, (Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).
Globally the green turtle is categorized as endangered and the loggerhead turtle as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. In the Mediterranean both green and loggerhead turtles have distinct populations called Regional Management Units (RMU). The loggerhead turtle RMU/sub-population was in 2015 listed by the IUCN red list as being of least concern. This is because, despite high rates of mortality in fisheries, conservation efforts at nest sites in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus have been fruitful and an overall trend in the number of nests laid annually is increasing.
Green turtle nesting is much more localized, with most nesting occurring in Turkey and Cyprus with small numbers in Israel, Egypt and Syria.
Marine Turtle Conservation Project (MTCP) mentioned that from results since 1992, it is estimated that 10% of the loggerhead and 30% of the green turtles nesting in the Mediterranean nest in Cyprus, highlighting the importance of both Ronnas Bay in Karpaz and Alagadi beaches as the 3rd and 5th most important nesting beaches of the green turtle in the entire Mediterranean.
You can find more details in Society for the Protection of Turtles (SPOT). SPOT is among the longest established marine conservation organizations in Cyprus and is best known for establishing sea turtle nest monitoring and conservation in Northern Cyprus when it formed in the early 1990s.
Where and when to watch turtles in North Cyprus
There are multiple turtle conservation sites which are regularly checked during the egg-laying and hatching seasons. The Loggerhead Turtle and the Green Turtle both nest in the soft sands of Alagadi beach near Esentepe to the east of Kyrenia, as well as in other locations along the Cyprus coast, like the long stretch of sand on the Golden beach in the Karpaz Peninsula and the Akamas Peninsula in the south.
Female turtles, or hen turtles, usually lay between 70 and 150 eggs in the nesting season between late March and early June. Once the mother turtle has nested, there are different conservation efforts to shield the eggs, such as cages that stop dogs and humans from unintentionally unearthing them. The hatching process depends on the temperature, but hatchlings generally come out around 50 to 60 days later, with the height of the hatching period between July and August.
Please visit booking at Alagadi Beach for more details about how to plan a booking. If you are unable to get onto a private hatchling release in the week, then you can join a public release at Alagadi on the weekend. No booking is required for public releases on the weekend. Again, check the Facebook page for availability.
Best places to stay near the North Cyprus turtle sites
We highly recommend you to stay at one of the most luxury properties in North Cyprus which name is Maldives Homes. There are luxury apartments and villas with pool available in this project. Maldives homes has one of the most unique lagoon beaches in Cyprus, with cabanas and an open-air cinema.
You may contact our Rental Management by call/message at +90 546 995 7070 (WhatsApp). Furthermore, you may message us from our pages on Facebook or Instagram: @maldiveshomescyprus.
Distance between Maldives Homes and Alagadi Turtle beach is only about 15 minutes driving.
Idyll Homes is another option which includes luxury and affordable apartments in North Cyprus which is only 11 minutes driving away from Marine Turtle Conservation Project.
Conclusion
North Cyprus Turtles watching is truly an unforgettable experience and it is among the best things to do in Kyrenia if you’re visiting North Cyprus in the summer months. You must book early to avoid disappointment, as turtle nights are immensely popular. We recommend booking online on the SPOT website before you travel to North Cyprus, particularly if you’re in a group.
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