This island is bound to leave a lasting impression on you.

Sri Lanka has so much to offer! The things to see, explore, do and taste are too manifold to list here, but to give you a small impression: you can look forward to activities such as paddling and bike touring amidst stunning surroundings and whale watching or diving with sea turtles. All activities are within easy access from Turtle Bay Hotel.

Turtles of Sri Lanka

Why are we called Turtle Bay Hotel?

Turtle Bay Hotel’s location in the south of Sri Lanka features the largest population of turtles on the island. Inspired and touched by the many species of turtle nesting there each year, the hotel chose to honour these beautiful creatures by including them in the hotel’s name.

Of the 7 sea turtle species in existence today, sadly all are considered endangered or critically endangered. 5 out of these 7 species, the green turtle, the hawksbill turtle, the loggerhead turtle, the Oliver Ridley turtle and the leatherback turtle, visit Sri Lanka’s southern coastal belt for nesting. Of these, the leatherback turtle is the largest and rarest of turtles species in Sri Lankan waters.

In honour and respect of these beautiful creatures, our rooms at the hotel are named after them.

One of the most magical and curious things about these creatures is how female adult sea turtles always return to nest at the very beach they were born at. This remarkable homecoming first starts when they reach about 25 years of age and continues until their breeding days are done. As far as we know, this has been a sea turtle tradition since the beginning of time.

For this reason, it is imperative that we protect turtle nesting areas to ensure their continued survival. Even under good conditions, it can happen that only 1 in 1000 hatchlings survives to breeding age. Turtle Bay is committed to increasing these odds. Adult female green sea turtles return to the site they were born to lay their eggs at night.

Guided by the Turtle Conservation Project at Rekawa, this beautiful spectacle can be observed by visitors on a beach located just half an hour from Turtle Bay. For sightings of such wondrous happenings closer to home, guests can sometimes catch glimpses of smaller species of female turtle laying their eggs directly at the beach in front of Turtle Bay Hotel.  The Rekawa Watch is a sea turtle conservation project, which aims to protect turtles’ nesting sites, which in turn is meant to ensure that eggs can hatch safely.

Visitors can join this important effort as “turtle watch” is possible any evening of the year. Rekawa Centre volunteers lead groups to the beach between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. During this time participants can watch turtles lay their eggs and subsequently return to the sea. Waiting for turtles to appear can take several hours so patience is required. During high season, from April to June, anywhere between 5 and 15 turtles can appear each night.

During the low seasons from October to January only one or two turtles are sighted each night. Though sightings are common most nights of the year, please be aware that there is no guarantee you’ll see any. Please also be aware that the centre has very strict rules about not disturbing the turtles. Flash photography as well as white and yellow torches are not permitted during turtle watch.

Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary

A brackish body of water surrounded by mangroves and salt marshes, Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is separated from the sea by only a narrow strip of beach. The lagoon is home to over 180 species of native and migratory birds as well as a variety of smaller mammals.

Just a short walk away, Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary and the lagoon can only be accessed by foot with guides or by boat. The best time to go is just before dawn, when visitors can experience sunrise and a range of birds waking up and flying off in groups from their rest in the bushes or trees. A truly unforgettable experience you shouldn’t miss out on!

Visitors are advised to ask at the reception for more details!

Mulkirigala Rock Temple

Called by some the smaller version of the famous Dambulla Temple, Mulkirigala Rock Temple should definitely not be missed!

Mulkirigala temple was built by King Saddhatissa in the third century. The temple subsequently received royal patronage by several kings that came after. Between 461 and 479 A.D. a stupa was built at Mulkirigala by King Datusena. The temple was then further developed by King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe during his reign between 1747 and 1782.

According to Rev. Kamburupitiya Wanaratna Thero, this temple was known as Samuddagiri Viharaya during the Polonnaruwa period. Mulkirigala was named Adam’s Berg with the arrival of the Europeans, who are thought to have confused Mulkirigala with Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak).

Supposedly they believed the tombs of Adam and Eve were located here.Rising approximately 676 feet from the surrounding land mass, Mulkirigala rock offers pleasing views of its surroundings. Seven cave temples, all at different altitudes, can be reached quite comfortably via five terraced areas that can be accessed along paved granite paths and steps. These also lead right up to Dagoba Terrace.

Located a 40-minute drive from Turtle Bay Hotel, the trip to the temple can be combined with a trip to Tangalle, which lies en route and features a large population of flying foxes (bats).

Visitors are advised to ask at the reception for more details!

Uda Walawa National Park

With an estimated 500 wild elephants, Uda Walawa National Park is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to catch a glimpse of these noble creatures. Uda Walawa also has an elephant transit home, where injured or orphaned elephants are cared for and then released back into the wild. Visitors are most likely to see the elephants at watering holes early in the morning between 6 and 10 a.m. or in the afternoon between 4 and 6 p.m.The estimated travel time from Turtle Bay Hotel is 1 hour 30 minutes by car.

Visitors are advised to ask at the reception for more details.

Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park spans 6,216 hectares and is Sri Lanka’s most important wetlands area with approximately 150 bird species, in addition to monkeys and crocodiles. Drawn to the salt pans, migratory shore birds can be seen in large numbers. Sightings are most likely between November and March when many winter migratory birds flock to the area. Impressive flocks of Indian flamingos can often be seen alongside resident water birds, which include sterns, spot-billed pelicans, egrets, plovers, gray and purple herons, spoonbills, cormorants and painted storks.

Visitors are advised to ask at the reception for more details.

Yala National Park

With the world’s highest concentration of leopards, Yala National Park is a great place to spot them. Covering 979 square kilometers, Yala Park is also home to Asian elephants, sloth bears, wild buffalo, deer, wild boar, crocodiles, primates and both native and migratory birds.

Season and luck play a big role in whether visitors manage to see all of the above-mentioned animals. Whilst experiencing this park is a worthwhile treat in itself, visitors are warned that the Safari Jeeps are not particularly comfortable and travel within the park can take a long time until good points of interest are reached.

Pls be aware Visitors should also be that many “fake websites” exist, claiming to be the official Yala National Park website. To avoid paying higher prices by using these websites, please ask Turtle Bay reception about the new official booking procedure.

Visitors are advised to ask at the reception for more details.