Top 5 Turtle Hatchery Visits in Sri Lanka

1.Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 268 reviews · from $25Our pick

Meet your guide at Araliya Restaurant in Mirissa, walk to the beach, and snorkel for about an hour near Parrot Rock. This is a private, shore-based outing for two people, not a boat trip. Your guide provides equipment, helps less confident swimmers, searches for turtles and reef life, and sends underwater photos and videos afterward.

“We had a great time snorkelling with sea turtles. Our guide was flexible as the weather wasn't great and so advised us to wait for 30 minutes for the water to clear. When we did snorkel, the guide was very helpful and patient and helped us swim with up to five sea turtles. The experience was great and we'd highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 123 reviews · 1 hour · from $29

Join Z R I Adventures for a one-hour turtle snorkeling trip near Mirissa. You get gear, instruction, a short boat ride, and a small group capped at eight. Guides such as Amil, Pasi, and Sandesh have helped beginners find turtles, fish, rays, coral, and moray eels, with photos and videos included.

“This is a great snorkelling tour! They pick you up from your hotel and have good communication with you via WhatsApp. You get on the boat from the sand out the front of the dive centre and it’s a short boat ride to go snorkelling. We were lucky enough to see 4 turtles and the guides provided seaweed to feed them. We saw lots of fish and coral also. Highly recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Mirissa Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $24Best value

Join Mirissa Adventure for a two-hour private snorkeling trip near Mirissa. You’ll receive equipment, instruction, hotel pickup in the Mirissa area, snacks, water, and a freshwater rinse. Swim near sea turtles, spot small fish and coral, and ask for instructor Nuwan if available.

“Great experience! The staffs were friendly and we had a wonderful time. I highly recommend doing it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Galle Private Day Tours with Sea Turtles visit & Boat Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 69 reviews · 6 - 10 hours · from $45

You’ll visit Galle Fort, a turtle conservation project, turtle beach, and Madu River by private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking guide. Guides including Hasantha, Sakun, Nuwan, and Rusiru are praised for safe driving, personal care, photos, and flexible stops. Budget extra for the turtle project and boat safari fees.

“We really enjoyed our private tour. The whole experience was even better because of Hasantha, our guide. He showed us all beautiful places along the coast and made sure we enjoy every moment. I sincerely recommend this tour, it was a pleasure !!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Galle Day Trip with River Safari, Sea Turtle & Stilt Fishermen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $110

Spend 8 to 10 hours touring Sri Lanka’s southwest coast with private transport, a Bentota mangrove safari, turtle conservation center, Ambalangoda masks, Galle Dutch Fort and Koggala stilt fishermen. Pickup and drop-off are included, with lunch, water and entry fees covered.

“Tour operator was spot on time. Amazing scenery along the way. Lunch was very good at an amazing restaurant within the fort boundaries. Had more than enough time for a walkabout plus we got to stop at a tea shop that was extremely affordable bought loads of gifts for people back home.”

Check availability →Read our full review