Dénia’s coastline has welcomed another extraordinary visitor, with a loggerhead sea turtle nicknamed Mona laying a nest of eggs just hours after the town’s most famous returning turtle, Diana, made yet another appearance.

The double nesting event has delighted marine conservationists and volunteers, who say it highlights the growing importance of Dénia’s beaches as a safe nesting site for loggerhead turtles in the western Mediterranean.

While Diana has become something of a local celebrity after repeatedly returning to nest in Dénia over recent years, it was newcomer Mona who became the unexpected star of the weekend.

Mona surprises conservation teams

After Diana’s latest nesting triggered the established turtle protection protocol, conservation teams were already monitoring the coastline when another female turtle emerged.

The new arrival, later named Mona, came ashore under the cover of darkness and successfully laid her own clutch of eggs, giving scientists two separate nesting events within the same weekend.

The discovery prompted an immediate response involving marine biologists, volunteers, local police and environmental specialists. Following established conservation procedures, the eggs were carefully secured to maximise their chances of survival, while specialists recorded valuable scientific information about the nesting female.

Why Dénia is becoming a turtle hotspot

Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are increasingly choosing parts of Spain’s Mediterranean coast for nesting, with experts linking the trend to warmer sea temperatures and changing environmental conditions.

Dénia has become one of the region’s most significant nesting locations in recent years, thanks to a combination of suitable beaches, rapid emergency response and a network of trained volunteers who protect nests around the clock.

Diana herself has played a major role in that story. She was first identified through a microchip after earlier nesting seasons and has continued returning to the same coastline, allowing researchers to monitor her movements and breeding behaviour over several years.

Public urged to keep their distance

With nesting season still underway, authorities are reminding beachgoers to remain vigilant.

Anyone who spots a sea turtle, fresh tracks in the sand or a possible nest should avoid approaching the animal or using flash photography. Instead, they should immediately call 112, allowing the official marine turtle protection protocol to be activated.

For conservationists, Mona’s arrival is another encouraging sign that Dénia is becoming one of the Mediterranean’s most important breeding grounds for this threatened species. With Diana continuing her remarkable return visits and Mona now joining the story, the town’s beaches are proving increasingly attractive to one of the sea’s most iconic creatures.

Live music, community spirit and an incredible show of generosity came together on the Costa Blanca as local performers helped raise more than €2,000 for charity during a special fundraising event.

The concert, held at the OK Corral, saw Jo Fuego and Friends take to the stage in support of Project 4 All, a charity dedicated to helping vulnerable and homeless people in the local community. Despite soaring summer temperatures, supporters packed the venue to enjoy an afternoon built around friendship, solidarity and giving back.

The event proved to be about far more than music, with volunteers, local businesses and attendees all playing a part in making the fundraiser a memorable success.

Friends unite for a special performance

Jo Fuego and Friends opened the afternoon with a set designed to reflect the values behind the event, performing songs centred on hope, togetherness and compassion.

They were joined by musician Andrew, whose mandolin added a distinctive touch to the opening performance. Later, the atmosphere became even more celebratory as additional local performers, including Rockit, Terry, Co, Andrew and Dennis, joined the stage for a collaborative second set that had the audience singing and clapping along.

The relaxed, feel-good atmosphere highlighted the strength of the Costa Blanca’s close-knit music community, with performers donating their time and talents to support an important local cause.

Every euro makes a difference

The day also featured food, refreshments and plenty of opportunities for visitors to contribute to Project 4 All’s work.

One of the talking points was Paula’s homemade sausage rolls, which proved so popular they quickly became a favourite among guests. Any leftovers were donated to homeless people supported by the charity.

Organisers later revealed that those receiving the food had reportedly gone without anything to eat since Friday, underlining the importance of even the smallest acts of kindness.

More than €2,000 raised

By the end of the day, organisers announced an impressive total of €2,005 had been raised for Project 4 All.

They thanked everyone who attended, volunteered, performed or donated, saying the event showed what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose.

With music bringing people together and every donation helping those most in need, the fundraiser demonstrated how local events can have a very real impact beyond the stage.

For Project 4 All, the money raised will help continue providing practical support to vulnerable people across the community, while for those who attended, it was a reminder that friendship, compassion and live music remain a powerful combination.

Calpe hosts its traditional seafaring festival, concluding with the World Cup.
Photo Credit: Calpe Town Hall