The long pebble strand at Çıralı is one of the major loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting beaches in the eastern Mediterranean. Females come ashore between May and August to dig nests and lay eggs; hatchlings emerge from late July through October and crawl down to the sea.
Volunteers from a small conservation centre patrol the beach at night during nesting season, flagging nests and protecting them from disturbance. Stop in for a short briefing — they take visitors out to monitor nests in the evenings. Beach lighting, fires, and music after dark are discouraged for the same reason.