Turtles


    Turtles

    Out of seven turtle species, five species (also) live in Asian waters and all could come to nest at Rekawa beach – some are unfortunately very rare. You could see the following sea turtle species:

    • Green turtle (most common, all year around)
    • Olive Ridley turtle (common)
    • The Loggerhead Turtle (rare)
    • Hawksbill Turtle (very rare)
    • The Leatherback Turtle (very rare)

    All female turtles come back to the beach they were born to lay their nests. Usually the male turtles never touch land again. Every two or three years a female turtle lays four or five nests. One nest consists of 80 till 150 eggs. It takes around two months for the hatchlings to come out, depending on the temperature. The temperature also decided whether the hatchlings are male of female or both. It takes them a few days to come out and rush to the sea, usually during the night so it is very rare for guests to spot them. And if they are able to survive their first vulnerable years when their shell has not hardened yet, they will come back to Rekawa around 25 years later to lay their own nests…

    Green Turtle

    The Green Turtle (Chelonia Midas) is the most common turtle on Rekawa beach.  They come to Rekawa all year, but high season runs from April to July. A green turtle measures 80-120 centimeter and weighs around 150-200 kilograms. The shell is light or dark brown, but the name comes from their green colored flesh. The Green Turtle is still popular for Turtle Soup and is endangered.

    Click for more details

    Olive Ridley Turtle

    The Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) comes often to Rekawa Beach, especially from November to February. This is a relatively small turtle, measuring 55 till 70 centimetre and weighing 35 till 45 kilos. The Olive Ridley is almost dancing when she closes her nest. Previously the Olive Ridley Turtle was the most common turtle on Rekawa beach, but now its conservation status is vulnerable.

    Click for more details

    Hawksbill Turtle

    The Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is known for its beautiful shell and hawk-like beak, measuring around 75 centimeters and weighing 50 kilos. Traditionally the shell of the Hawksbill was used for jewellery items. The conservation status is nowadays critically endangered. They nest in August and September but it is very rare to see the Hawksbill in Rekawa. 

    Click for more details

    Loggerhead Turtle

    The Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) is a massive turtle from 85 till 125 centimetres and 80 – 200 kilos. Though the Loggerhead is still a common turtle worldwide, this turtle is pretty rare in Sri Lanka. Occasionally, a Loggerhead comes nesting in May – July. Their conservation status is endangered.

    Click for more details

    Leatherback Turtle

    The Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest turtle in the world, ranging up to 2,5 meters and 1000 kilos. The largest Leatherback ever seen measured 3 meters.  The Leatherback is known for eating jellyfish (200kg a day!) and nowadays unfortunately eats a lot of plastic bags, confusing them for jellyfish. The conservation status is vulnerable and it is very special when a Leatherback comes to Rekawa Beach (in July or August). Due to intensive protection programs the number of Leatherbacks worldwide is on the rise again – but not yet in the Indian Ocean, where is it endangered.

    Click for more details

    “A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.”

    Donate now

    Stay updated

    Receive updates and latest news directly from our team. Simply enter your email below :