Turtle Watch Rekawa

Rekawa beach, about 10 km east of Tangalle, is one of the most important turtle nesting beaches in Sri Lanka. At night, female turtles come ashore to dig nests and lay eggs in the sand. A community conservation project has protected the nests here since the 1990s and runs guided turtle watches for visitors.

The turtles

Five of the world's seven sea turtle species nest in Sri Lanka: the green, olive ridley, hawksbill, loggerhead and leatherback. At Rekawa, green turtles are the most common. Nests are protected on the beach itself, so the eggs hatch naturally and hatchlings make their own way to the sea.

How a turtle watch works

You arrive in the evening and wait near the beach while trackers patrol the sand. When a turtle comes ashore and starts to dig, guides lead small groups to watch quietly from a distance, using only dim red light. Sometimes a turtle arrives early; sometimes you wait hours, and some nights none appear. A small fee goes to the project.

When to go

Turtles nest through much of the year. Sightings tend to be more frequent from about April to July. Watches usually run from around 8pm, and can last late into the night.

How long it takes

Allow two to four hours, mostly waiting.

Getting there

Rekawa is about 20 minutes by tuk-tuk or car from Tangalle.

Turtle-safe rules

• No flash photography or white torches; light confuses turtles.
• Stay behind the turtle and keep quiet.
• Never touch turtles, eggs or hatchlings.
• Avoid hatcheries that keep turtles in tanks for show.

By day, take a boat on Rekawa lagoon or relax at Medaketiya beach. See things to do in Tangalle and Tangalle hotels.