Turtle Hatchery Hikkaduwa
Turtle Hatchery Hikkaduwa
Turtle Hatchery Hikkaduwa
4
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- Aabith DazHomagama, Sri Lanka87 contributionsCan be visited one timeThis hatchery could have been an amazing place if they have more turtles to watch , and let us to release them to the ocean. They just have 5 tanks with Adult and baby turtles and they allow to take pics with baby turtles which was nice. I hope all the turtles get released as soon as they get fully recovered.Visited December 2023Traveled with friendsWritten December 6, 2023
- Trail304511323162 contributionsTour of turtle hatchery in HikkaduwaHired our own tuktuk and drove ourselves to the hatchery. The owner was very knowledgeable and took us around each tank to explain each species and what they do to help the turtles. It’s not what we expected however we were pleased to find out that they do hatch and release the turtles and not just hatch them for show. We did want to be apart of the release however they have specific times of the month they do this. If you did want to release a turtle it will cost you.Visited December 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 26, 2023
- Nimish GorayPune, India524 contributionsSuper place to learn about turtles and if lucky, watch their eggs hatchWe paid a visit to the hatchery when we were around Kalutara recently. The place is small with a few tanks to hold turtles and a place to bury eggs for hatching. The ticket cost LKR 2000 for adults LKR 1000 for children. The staff was very knowledgeable and shared their knowledge about the three turtle species. We also got an opportunity to hold and closely see a turtle (a very friendly chap). We did not get a chance to see the eggs hatch. Sometimes, they let visitors release baby turtles into the ocean, though I guess that would be improbable as the center houses baby turtles until they grow up a bit. I guess they might be allowing visitors to release turtles into their retaining tanks or maybe slightly larger turtles into the ocean. Whatever, this was a must-visit place.Visited December 2023Traveled with friendsWritten January 1, 2024
- Ainsley LCharlottetown, Canada25 contributionsLoved releasing the baby turtlesSuch a cool experience and very informative! We were able to pay to release some baby turtles into the water. Wouldn’t recommend doing that with young children as one of our turtles did get swept up by a seagull, but otherwise very cool and a much better survival rate than the natural run to the water.Visited March 2023Traveled with familyWritten February 17, 2024
- Molly1107United Kingdom523 contributionsRoom for improvementI think some reviewers have missed the mark a little. This is a sanctuary and the larger turtles would not survive in the ocean as they are disabled. They are cared for by vets who visit every week. That said, I think they could perhaps create a nicer environment, bigger tanks etc. We were also surprised that they allowed visitors to touch/poke the turtles. Our guide was excellent and we did learn a lot. Considering the issues these beautiful creatures are having with swallowed plastic, one would think Sri Lanka should take note of their over use of the material - one of the worst countries we have visited in terms of caring for the environment. Lastly, the entry fee of 25 USD pp is a touch high but if it all goes into care and research, fair enough.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Popular mentions
4.0
1,528 reviews
Excellent
734
Very good
462
Average
193
Poor
60
Terrible
79
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rajsinn
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia6 contributions
Aug 2019
These sea turtles are kept for years upon years in small shallow basins of water. Some of the turtles do not have any room to move around at all. These wild turtles are kept in this so called sanctuary for the entertainment of tourists and profit. All these turtles should be set free but they are not? Olanka Travels and other tour operators should stop supporting this tourist attraction. The turtles are sad and stressed and probably are terrified being constantly grabbed by adults and children for photographs. Tourists should realise that "this sanctuary/ wildlife entertainment centre" is all about making money. Please do not support this.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chowarth
13 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
I really hoped this would be something we felt was doing good. We arrived at the hatchery after reading some mixed reviews online, we assumed this hatchery would be caring for injured turtles hoping to release them back into their natural habitat. However the place had about 3 adult turtles isolated by themselves in tiny tanks, one member of staff then grabbed the big turtle and tried to make us hold it which we refused as we could see it was uncomfortable.
There was then another open tank with lots of baby turtles all living on top of one another. The staff member explained that they had hatched these eggs themselves from the beach and that we could pay to release them to the sea. I cant understand how taking eggs from off the beach, hatching them in this setting and then asking for money to release them back to their natural habitat is in any way helping these turtles.
We are not usually ones to leave poor reviews but we left thinking that this place is more of a hindrance than help.
There was then another open tank with lots of baby turtles all living on top of one another. The staff member explained that they had hatched these eggs themselves from the beach and that we could pay to release them to the sea. I cant understand how taking eggs from off the beach, hatching them in this setting and then asking for money to release them back to their natural habitat is in any way helping these turtles.
We are not usually ones to leave poor reviews but we left thinking that this place is more of a hindrance than help.
Written January 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teddy R
20 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
The place is tiny and the price high (€25 per person, and without ticket!) for a lightning-fast tour with a guide who speaks horribly poor French (limit incomprehensible) screaming and chirping. If you walk away during the “micro-visit”, “save me, come and come”
The place is tiny and the price high for a lightning-fast tour with a guide who speaks horribly bad French (almost incomprehensible) while yelling and spitting. If you move away during the "micro tour", "Excuse me, come on come on"
The place is tiny and the price high for a lightning-fast tour with a guide who speaks horribly bad French (almost incomprehensible) while yelling and spitting. If you move away during the "micro tour", "Excuse me, come on come on"
Automatically translated
Written July 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel W
6 contributions
Apr 2022 • Solo
Severely impacted by the Covid-19 lockdowns, the hatchery is open, but only hosting 3 turtles, two of which were missing a flipper and brought in for recovery. Not worth the 500 lkr entrance or haggling with a tuk-tuk to drive up there when the whole experience takes 5-10 minutes. At least the owner was honest with me about the conditions before I went in.
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trail30451132316
2 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Hired our own tuktuk and drove ourselves to the hatchery. The owner was very knowledgeable and took us around each tank to explain each species and what they do to help the turtles.
It’s not what we expected however we were pleased to find out that they do hatch and release the turtles and not just hatch them for show.
We did want to be apart of the release however they have specific times of the month they do this.
If you did want to release a turtle it will cost you.
It’s not what we expected however we were pleased to find out that they do hatch and release the turtles and not just hatch them for show.
We did want to be apart of the release however they have specific times of the month they do this.
If you did want to release a turtle it will cost you.
Written December 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nimish Goray
Pune, India524 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
We paid a visit to the hatchery when we were around Kalutara recently. The place is small with a few tanks to hold turtles and a place to bury eggs for hatching. The ticket cost LKR 2000 for adults LKR 1000 for children. The staff was very knowledgeable and shared their knowledge about the three turtle species. We also got an opportunity to hold and closely see a turtle (a very friendly chap). We did not get a chance to see the eggs hatch. Sometimes, they let visitors release baby turtles into the ocean, though I guess that would be improbable as the center houses baby turtles until they grow up a bit. I guess they might be allowing visitors to release turtles into their retaining tanks or maybe slightly larger turtles into the ocean. Whatever, this was a must-visit place.
Written January 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ainsley L
Charlottetown, Canada25 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Such a cool experience and very informative! We were able to pay to release some baby turtles into the water. Wouldn’t recommend doing that with young children as one of our turtles did get swept up by a seagull, but otherwise very cool and a much better survival rate than the natural run to the water.
Written February 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jackjock
London, UK18 contributions
Feb 2022
Couple dozen wee turtles looked half dead, couple large unwell looking turtles complete rip off. you are urged to pay to release a small turtle. it all seemed seedy and contrived.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monika B
Hof, Germany6 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
FAKE - Please don't go there!!!
The turtles that live there are like trapped in a zoo.
3 old men were sitting there and wanted 1000 per person. We didn't pay anything and also said that we didn't like it.
One of the men also said that the turtles don't go back to the sea.
It's terrible to see the poor animals in tanks that are far too small! 😔
The turtles that live there are like trapped in a zoo.
3 old men were sitting there and wanted 1000 per person. We didn't pay anything and also said that we didn't like it.
One of the men also said that the turtles don't go back to the sea.
It's terrible to see the poor animals in tanks that are far too small! 😔
Written December 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daria N
4 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
The place exceeded all expectations. Large and small turtles. The owner does everything to help them get comfortable and releases them into the wild. Treats sick or injured animals. Entrance costs 2000 rupees/person - but you won’t regret it - all the money goes to charity: food and medicine for turtles and to buy eggs from poachers.
Written December 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When is the closest release of turtles’ babies planned?
Written January 22, 2022
Open from 0700 to 1800 every day.
Telephone 0772 938 338
Sometimes just before dark they release the baby turtles back into the sea. You may be able to see this at closing time!
Good luck!
Written March 12, 2020
Did you find the experience to be ethical and good for the wellbeing of the animals? I worry that baby turtles should not be handled by lots of tourists - do the turtles get released to be in the wild where they belong?
Written January 15, 2019
I can only report my experience: this place is located next to a jewellery shop (which may mean nothing, but still...) and the day I visted it was very crowded, packed full with groups of tourists and families.
We were told to "join the ongoing tour", which was a guy explaining in broad terms how they work.
We were shown the sandpit and then the tanks on the right side, where they keep baby turtles. There were at least four people handling the turtles or giving them to their kids to take pictures. I found it annoying and unethical.
There are other tanks with larger turtles, which seem able to fend for themselves but I had the impression they're kept for tourists to take a look at bigger speciments and finally two central tanks with two turtles, each missing a leg. In that case, I can understand they cannot survive in the wild.
Summarizing, it was a short visit and I guess at least they save somne turtles, but having anybody picking up and putting down baby turtles is certainly not ethic. The ticket price is very low, so it's not an issue.
I would not recommend and regretted having visited, but it's just my personal opinion.
Written January 16, 2019
I think it’s open all year round.
Written May 27, 2018
Hello, may I know how much of the ticket ?
Adult and child pls .. thanks
Written May 18, 2018
There is no cost just donations for their fantastic work.
Written May 19, 2018
I wonder: It says Hikkaduwa, but the map shows Colombo. Is it located in Colombo? Veronica
Written February 24, 2018
No doubt that the many ways in which we kill, maim and endanger these creatures, that this small token will help these creatures survive our destructiveness for a few more generations of humans. Is it ethical yes, anything that helps the young get to the ocean, the maimed to recover and live longer after their limbs have been ripped off.
We should all congratulate the people that run these sanctuaries and thank them for their kindness and concern
Before you go to the turtles breeding beaches and enjoy the sand and sun and perhaps leave a human plastic token or two, go and have a look at the sanctuaries, there are plenty of them.
Enjoy
Written June 27, 2017
Hi,
I see so many classic photos of baby turtles walking back into the sea after being hatched. Is there a certain area where this happens and when is the best time of year to see this?
Written April 27, 2017
We were in hikkaduwa in January last year. The turtle hatchery is a few miles out of town. All the yuk yuk drivers know where it is. Turtles usually released at sundown to stop the eagles eating them before they get away. Do the tour if the turtle farm to help them financially so they can carry on rearing and releasing the turtles. Hope this answers the question.
Written July 1, 2019
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