There are mainly two species of turtles which nest in the sand on the beaches of North Cyprus – the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) and the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Along with other islands of the Mediterranean and the coastline of Turkey, there are several turtle conservation sites which are continually monitored during the 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 elsewhere on the Cyprus coast, including the long stretch of sand on the Golden beach in the Karpaz Peninsula and the Akamas Peninsula in the south.
Female turtles, also known as hen turtles, typically lay anywhere between 70 to 150 eggs in the nesting season between late March and early June. Once the mother turtle has nested, there are various conservation efforts to protect the eggs, such as cages to prevent dogs and humans from accidentally digging them up. The incubation period depends on the temperature, however hatchlings normally emerge around 50 to 60 days later, with the peak of the hatching period between July and August.
North Cyprus has many ideal beaches where turtles bury their eggs in the sand to develop and hatch over summer. With developing tourism, turtle beaches began to come under increasing pressure, especially on popular beaches like Alagadi. In 1992, the Marine Turtle Research Group, in conjunction with SPOT the Society for the Protection of Turtles in North Cyprus and The Department of Environmental Protection stepped in to co-ordinate, protect and record turtle activity. This is now firmly established as an annual event and many, mainly overseas student volunteers, devote themselves full time to overseeing the protection of the turtles. The main place of study is Alagadi beach.
Alagadi Turtle Beach
Alagadi Turtle Beach consists of two different bays located next to each other. One is always well-attended and has a restaurant called Turtle Paradise while the other bay is more secluded and suits those wanting a quiet day at the beach. Bring your own beach accessories as neither of the bays offer sun beds or umbrellas.
Sea turtles hatch their eggs on Alagadi Beach in the summer time where as the volunteer organisation SPOT organizes turtle nest excavations that can be attended by reservation.
Do not miss out on the natural “rock pools” heated by the Mediterranean sun where you can dabble your feet whilst looking out over the scenic coast.
In the summertime you can see when the sea turtles’ egg hatch on Alagadi Turtle Beach. The volunteer organisation SPOT organises turtle nest excavations and these can be attended if you get a reservation with SPOT. It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of the moment when sandy little hachtlings see the day light for the first time. Or in the evening when you can be part of the group who drops them into the sea!
The places where the turtle’s nests are located on the beach are marked out with white nets so you can’t miss them. You can not put your sun lounger or parasol close to them, as you may risk damaging the nest.
Alagadi Turtle beach is located at the coast of kyrenia North Cyprus and it is totally free. So when you are at Alagadi Turtle Beach you should not miss the natural “rock pools” created by the sea where rocks meet sea and where the stones are sanded by the waves. At these “rock pools” the water is heated by the warm Mediterranean sun. Here you can sit still with your feet in the warm waters and look out over the scenic coast.
