Can I touch the turtles?

No, avoid handling the animals.

What is near Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatcheries?

Explore the area on this page lists 4 places around Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatcheries, with the distance to each.

Where can I stay near Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatcheries?

bookingMentor lists 5 places to stay in Sri Lanka. Rooms start from $82.00 (USD) a night.

When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is Dec to Apr (west, south). May to Sep for the east coast.

Which airport is closest to Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatcheries?

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the airport for Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatcheries, about 96 km away in a straight line.

Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatcheries

Q: What do the hatcheries do?

Collect turtle eggs, hatch them in protected sand and release the young into the sea.

Q: Who runs the Kosgoda hatchery?

The Wild Life and Nature Protection Society.

Q: What can visitors see?

Tanks of hatchlings and injured adult turtles.

Q: How do I choose a good hatchery?

Pick one that releases hatchlings quickly and does not encourage handling.

Q: Which turtle species nest at Kosgoda?

Green, olive ridley, loggerhead, hawksbill and leatherback turtles.

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Kosgoda and the south-west coast, Sri Lanka

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In short

Along Sri Lanka's southwest coast, and especially at Kosgoda, turtle hatcheries collect eggs, hatch them in protected sand and release the young; Kosgoda has had a hatchery since 1981. Entry is paid. A visit takes 30 to 45 minutes and suits families. It suits visitors interested in turtle conservation.

The Kosgoda sea turtle hatcheries sit on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka at Kosgoda in Galle District, about 76 km south of Colombo and 50 km north of Galle. They collect turtle eggs, hatch them in protected sand and release the young into the sea, and visitors pay an entrance fee to see tanks of hatchlings and injured adult turtles. A visit suits families staying around Bentota.

Running since 1981 to save eggs from collectors

Kosgoda has had a hatchery since 1981, run by the Wild Life and Nature Protection Society, set up to protect eggs laid on the nearby beaches from collection. Several private hatcheries have since opened along the same stretch of road.

Which turtles nest here?

Five of the world's seven sea turtle species nest on these beaches: green, olive ridley, loggerhead, hawksbill and leatherback. Eggs are moved to a guarded sand pit, and the hatchlings go back to the sea once they emerge.

Release times, handling and fees

Practices vary between hatcheries. Choose one that releases hatchlings quickly and does not encourage handling the animals, and ask how long hatchlings are kept before release. The fee varies by hatchery, and a visit takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed November 4, 2026 · Updated when rules or prices change

We check practical details such as entry rules, seasons and costs against official government and tourism sources.

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Key information

🐢Since: 1981 at Kosgoda

📍Distance: About 76 km south of Colombo

🌊Species: Five of seven sea turtle species nest here

🎟️Entry: Fee varies by hatchery

🕐Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time (UTC+5:30)

Explore the area

View in a map

Madu Ganga, Balapitiya 4 km

Bentota Beach 10.5 km

Bentota River and Lagoon 10.8 km

Moragalla Beach 13.4 km

See all about this area

✦ Plan your visit to Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatcheries Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.

Highlights Include:

Experiences

Hatchling tanks
Injured adult turtles
Egg hatching in protected sand