Turtle Hatchery

Recently named one of the top eco-sites in the world because of the important turtle conservation work taking place here, this stretch of beach is one of Sri Lanka’s most important turtle-nesting sites. Protected by the Turtle Conservation Project since 1996, the sanctuary itself is quite distinct from the turtle hatcheries as it protects the various nesting sites from predators, instead collecting the eggs when they are about to hatch, and looking after the baby turtles for a few days. You can visit the hatchery either during the day or in the evening. Depending on the time of year you might see turtles crawling up onto the sand to lay eggs, see eggs hatching and scores of newborns frantically rush down into the sea or simply have an educational experience with the young turtles that are temporarily retained at the hatchery to increase their chances of survival.