Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project

The Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project is a marine turtle conservation site that aims at protecting the sea turtles that visit the coastline. As Sri Lanka’s beaches attract 5 out of the 7 endangered turtle species, it became imperative to safeguard the nesting sites and aid in the conservation of the species. The main species that visit the golden shores of the island to nest and lay their eggs and are under conservation are the Loggerhead, Green, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and the Leatherback turtle.

The best time to visit the conservation centre is year-round, however, if you’re keen on watching a turtle lay her eggs, the ideal season is between April to July where 5 to 15 turtles visit the shores each night. However, during the months of October to January, sightings are rare where only 1 to 2 turtles are spotted at night. Once the eggs are hatched, volunteers gather and keep them within the safe confines of the conservation site until they’re ready to hatch. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to release a few hatchlings back to the Big Blue! The site is located in Tangalle and makes for a great day trip as you explore other attractions in the areas of Mirissa and Matara.