In 1991, 'turtle legend' Yannis Vardakastanis relocated his beach bar off one of the most important Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches in the Mediterranean region, having realised the negative impacts and threats he was causing.

In 1991, he founded his non-profit organisation to help save the sea turtles of Zakynthos, in Greece, and safeguard them from the tourism industry by promoting conservation through education; to help prevent tourists from becoming a threat to the turtles and environment during their stay.

Today, after having worked with many organisations across the world, from SEALIFE to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center, we are collecting donations to be able to continue our work and build the first sea turtle rescue center on the island!

We are putting in one last big effort to achieve our dream of becoming a sea turtle rescue center to help protect the endangered sea turtles of Zakynthos in every way we can; once we receive enough funding we will be able to afford to stay open all year and care for and rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles!

Yannis, in 2012, building our center which you can visit today for free; we provide information about the vulnerable sea turtles and wildlife around the island, and how tourists can help protect it!