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Do you love sea turtles? Are you a fan of eco-tourism? Then you must visit the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery on Sri Lanka's southern coast. This great community project in the Galle District has turned a simple beach stop into a fascinating look at wildlife rescue and protection. Here, visitors can walk on sandy paths, see the holding tanks, and maybe even get to witness a nightly release of baby turtles taking their first steps toward the ocean. Whether you are traveling as a family or a solo traveler, this stop fits perfectly into any beach trip.
The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery Sri Lanka is dedicated to protecting five different kinds of sea turtles: the massive leatherback, green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta). Local conservationist Dudley Perera founded this vital project in 1988 to combat poaching. Now, the project works with conservation groups to patrol local beaches (about 10 km of coastline) every night. Here is what they do,
Staff collect eggs from any nests that are at risk from predators like dogs or from flooding.
They keep the eggs warm in sand-filled containers that copy the conditions of a real beach.
After about 45 to 60 days, when the baby turtles are ready, they release the baby turtles back into the sea.
Since the project began, they have released over 500,000 turtles. In fact, 2025 has been a record year, as they have collected 20,624 eggs just between January and March.
The visitor's experience starts with a 20-40 minute guided tour through the shaded areas. You will see tanks full of young turtles that are recovering from injuries, like getting hit by boats or swallowing fishing hooks. The guides here are often locals who have worked there for decades and have great facts and stories to tell visitors. There is a little museum that shows turtle shells and old travel maps. You can get the best experience by visiting in the evenings between October and April during the nesting season. So, you can watch a baby turtle release on the beach.
The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery is located in the South Western coastal village of Kosgoda. You can easily find it among the palm trees and fishing boats at 13/A Galle Road, Mahapalana, Kosgoda. It is located about ~15 km south of Bentota and ~90 km north of Galle Fort. Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery opening hours? The hatchery is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (with possible evening extensions for releases).
You can find some fantastic beachfront hotels in the Bentota-Kosgoda area. Do not just plan for a relaxing stay near the hatchery, add beach time, and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
This 5-star resort is ideal for families who want a luxurious, eco-friendly stay. It is located in Bentota/Aluthgama, ~5-7 km north of Kosgoda Hatchery (10-15 min drive/tuk-tuk). Have you ever wanted to arrange early beach walks for potential turtle spotting? You can do it right here. NH Bentota Ceysands Resort offers 165 rooms, including deluxe doubles with lagoon/river views and king beds, ocean-view rooms with balconies (some with tubs), and connecting family suites for 4-6 with play areas/living spaces.
All rooms feature Thai-Sri Lankan style with air conditioning, stocked minibars, electronic safes, rain showers, free Wi-Fi, and coffee makers. You can swim in the large, beautiful infinity pool (with a swim-up bar), relax with herbal massages at the spa, or work out at the gym. They have three restaurants: Café Bomm for international, The Verandah for Thai curries/BBQs, and The Deck for casual. You can also have drinks at the sunset bar. Your kids will love the kids' club crafts/games. The 24-hour staff are always ready to help you book your hatchery visit.
Are you looking for classic charm? Then the Cinnamon Bentota Beach is an excellent 5-star option for you. It is located right on a golden stretch of Bentota Beach, just an easy 15-minute drive (~9 km) north of the turtle hatchery. Couples who love to combine their turtle visits with relaxing lagoon swims love this hotel. Cinnamon Bentota Beach offers visitors 159 rooms across three wings (West: 89 beach-parallel, South: 54 modern, East: 16 suites); superior doubles with garden patios and queen/king beds, deluxe sea-view rooms with deep bathtubs and balconies for ocean breezes, connecting family rooms for 4 with bunk setups and extra space.
All rooms are comfortable, featuring AC, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and electric kettles. Some rooms also have private balconies for ocean breezes. You can relax at the lagoon-style pool under the palm trees (with kids' section), try traditional Ayurvedic treatments at the spa, or keep up your routine at the fitness center. The private beach is great for volleyball or horseback rides. And you can eat at the all-day international buffets at The Tavern or grab fresh juices/cocktails at the beach bar.
This resort is a standout 5-star choice for a perfect turtle-themed vacation. Sheraton Kosgoda is located right on Kosgoda Beach, just a short walk (under 1 km) from the turtle hatchery. Because of this unbeatable location, you can easily visit the turtles in the morning and be back by the massive lagoon pool by afternoon. This resort offers visitors 172 rooms, including deluxe beachfront doubles with king beds and direct beach access via patios, premium ocean-view suites with soaking tubs/sitting areas, and connecting family rooms for up to 5 with kid extras like mini-fridges and bunk options.
Rooms offer modern, tropical luxury. All rooms come with AC, plush bathrobes, espresso machines, and high-speed Wi-Fi. You will find a massive lagoon pool (with swim-up bar), a spa (Swedish massages, reflexology), and a gym to fuel your adventures. The hotel has a family-friendly all-day restaurant with Italian pastas, Sri Lankan thalis, Chinese/Indian options, and buffets. There’s also a beach bar for juices/cocktails. The hotel's Kids' Club hosts fun, hatchery-inspired games/crafts. You can even try water sports like kayaking/canoeing to spot wild turtles offshore.
Are you looking for an unforgettable, peaceful stay after a day of turtle releases? Then the Wijegiri Boutique Villa is your perfect 4-star B&B option. This villa is located in Turtle Village, and a 2-kilometer walk from the hatchery. Here you can enjoy a private villa breakfast overlooking beautiful gardens while chatting about your turtle experiences. This charming bed-and-breakfast has a single 3-bedroom house rental (up to 6 guests), with options like doubles (queen/king beds, garden patios), family setups (bunks in one room). There are even premium bookings with private plunge pool access. All units feature handcrafted teak furniture, AC, free Wi-Fi, and rain showers with organic soaps. The shared infinity pool offers views over scenic rice paddies, and the gardens are great for birdwatching.
When to see turtles hatching in Sri Lanka?
You have the best chance of seeing baby turtles hatching from January to June in Sri Lanka. The busiest time for releases is from February to April (from eggs laid November to April).
How much is the entrance fee for Kosgoda turtle Hatchery?
The cost is LKR 1,000 for adult foreigners; LKR 500 for locals and children under 12 (includes guided tour; additional ~LKR 500-1,000 for releases if available).
The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery gives you a real connection to Sri Lanka's ocean life. Instead of just exploring shaded tanks full of recovering green and hawksbill turtles, you might even get a chance for a sunset release. After gently guiding baby turtles to the sea, you will remember that moment for the rest of your life as an emotional memory. So, what are you waiting for? Visit Sri Lanka's southern coast today and turn your day trip into a lifelong memory.
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