Globally Sri Lanka has been recognized as one of the best destinations to witness turtles in their natural habitat among the few locations in the world.

The five species out of seven living marine turtle species can be seen to be coming for nesting in the coastal belt of Sri Lanka. Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) are the species that coming to Sri Lankan shores. 

The male turtles never come to shore once they get into the sea. However, mature female turtles mating at sea come back to shore to lay their eggs. Interestingly, these female turtles come to the same shore for nesting every time after mating.

Best places to see turtles in Sri Lanka

The coastal belt of the south and southwest Sri Lanka has comprised a vast area of seagrass beds and coral reefs that provides nesting and foraging ground for sea turtles. At the Kosgoda, Induruwa, Rekawa and Bundala beaches you can see all five species coming for nesting.

According to the survey, 68% of the total turtle nesting in Sri Lanka had done by the Green turtle species, whereas 30% of nesting has done by Olive Ridley species and the rest 2% of the other three species. 

The Green Turtles highest nesting frequency was recorded during the months of February to April and the Olive Ridley nesting frequented from November to March.

Highest turtle nesting rate recorded at Rekawa beach

The highest nesting rate per month was recorded on a Rekawa beach near Tangalle followed by Kosgoda beach and Duwemodara beach surrounding Kosgoda. The highest nesting density per kilometer in one year was recorded on Duwemodara beach followed by Kosgoda and Rekawa beaches.

Since Duwemodara beach has recorded 814 nests per kilometer in one year tells us how abundant you can witness the turtle in their natural habitat in Sri Lanka.

The female turtle always comes to the shore after the dark. If you went to one of the shore areas mentioned above in the evening with an experience turtle watching guide you can watch the turtles laying their eggs returning to the sea.

You can see female turtle moves as far up the shore ensuring that water does not reach the eggs. Then turn back and start to dig a shallow depression in the sand with its flippers by facing the sea. Once the dig is completed turtle lay its eggs and is covered with sand and go back to the sea. You have to be very patient and careful while witnessing this process, not to disturbing turtles.

Turtle hatcheries in Sri Lanka

MV X-Press Pearl disaster

There are about 1000 dead turtles have got washed onto different beaches in Sri Lanka since late May due to the Singapore-flagged cargo ship MV X-Press Pearl caught fire off the Colombo Sea. Turtle conservation experts believed that around 10,000 turtles were dead around the world due to this biggest marine disaster unfolding in Sri Lanka’s history.

For nature lovers, this is the time to visit Sri Lanka and help to conserve turtles who migrate long distances to lay their eggs on favourable beaches in Sri Lanka.

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