Turtle Nights, Wild Cyprus

North Cyprus hides one of the Mediterranean’s most magical night-time experiences.

From May to October, endangered Caretta caretta (loggerhead turtles) return to the northern coastline to nest. First the mothers come ashore to lay their eggs (May–August), then the hatchlings emerge and race to the sea (July–October).

These turtles have travelled the world and yet—they return to the very same beach where they were born.

Where to See Loggerhead Turtles in North Cyprus

Alagadi Beach (near Kyrenia)
The most famous nesting beach, known as “Turtle Beach.” Guided night watches are available through conservation teams.

Akdeniz (Tatlısu) Beach
Remote, natural, and far quieter than Alagadi. A nesting site for loggerheads and favoured by travellers seeking untouched coastline.

Golden Beach (Karpaz Peninsula)
A huge, wild, untouched shoreline — and one of the prime nesting sites for sea turtles in North Cyprus

Ayfilon Beach (near Dipkarpaz / Rizokarpaso)
Also recognised as a breeding ground for loggerhead turtles

These beaches are protected zones in nesting season. The sand may look empty, but underneath, dozens of nests are incubating future ocean travellers.

What Happens at Night

The mother turtle emerges under the moonlight.
She digs a nest, lays about 80–100 eggs, covers them, and slips back into the sea.

Around 50–60 days later, the beach comes alive again: hatchlings break through the sand and rush toward the water guided only by the reflection of the moon.

Witnessing this in silence—no crowds, no lights—is one of those rare travel experiences that resets your perspective on life.

How to Visit Responsibly

• Join only authorised turtle watches.

• No torches or flash photography — light confuses hatchlings.

• Don’t touch turtles or nests, and keep a healthy distance.

• Leave the beach flat — no digging or leaving belongings behind.

The rules are simple: be present, be quiet, be respectful.

Turtle nights in North Cyprus aren’t a tourist show.
They’re nature, raw and ancient, letting us watch.

North Cyprus protects them.
You get to witness the magic.