Turtle Conservation & Night Nesting Watch
Five of the world’s seven sea turtle species nest on these beaches — and you can watch it happen.
Sri Lanka's south coast is one of the few places where five of the world's seven sea turtle species come ashore to nest: green, olive ridley, hawksbill, loggerhead and the enormous leatherback.
There are two quite different experiences. At Kosgoda and Habaraduwa, conservation hatcheries incubate relocated clutches and release hatchlings at dusk — easy, family-friendly and fascinating for children. At Rekawa, a protected natural nesting beach, you sit quietly in the dark and wait for a female to haul herself up the sand and dig, which can take a couple of hours and is unforgettable when it happens. We will steer you to genuine conservation projects rather than the roadside operations that keep adult turtles in tanks.
What’s included
- Wild nesting watch on the protected beach at Rekawa
- Hatchling release at dusk — good with children
- Five nesting species including the leatherback
- Guided by the conservation project’s own rangers
- Red-light protocol so the turtles are not disturbed
- Only genuine conservation projects, never tank displays
Add Turtle Conservation & Night Nesting Watch to your trip
Tell us roughly when you are in the country and we will check availability, arrange the transport to get you there and fold it into the rest of your itinerary.
- A reply within 24 hoursUsually the same working day.
- Fits around your plansWe work it into the days you already have.
- Nothing to pay nowNo card details to check availability.
Other things to do
All activities
Half day (two dives)Diving & Snorkelling
Coral gardens, colonial-era shipwrecks and reef sharks — on whichever coast is in season.
PriceOn enquiry
2 hours to multi-day campsSurfing
One of the easiest places in the world to learn, and a serious destination once you can stand up.
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5–6 hoursWhale & Dolphin Watching
The largest animal that has ever lived, within a morning boat ride of the shore.
PriceOn enquiry