Abstract

Only loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles regularly nest on the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. We report the first ever observation of a leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) on a Mediterranean beach during a nesting attempt from July 2024. The turtle did not attempt to dig an egg chamber or lay eggs but returned to the sea because it was disturbed by people, lights, and beach furniture.