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Home / Beaches / Rekawa Beach

Rekawa Beach

Пляж Рекава
Sri Lanka · Beach · Tangalle
high
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for nature lovers and turtle watching. Suitable for a quiet holiday and walks. Not suitable for swimming due to strong waves and currents.

Best month

January

Water
+28.0°C
Length
3 500 m
A scenic beach with vast white sands and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. It features a calm atmosphere and is known as a sea turtle nesting site, popular for ecotourism.
Surface
sand
Waves
strong
Entry
moderate
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A scenic beach with vast white sands and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. It features a calm atmosphere and is known as a sea turtle nesting site, popular for ecotourism.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • One of the most important turtle nesting sites in Sri Lanka
  • Wild and untouched beach
  • Wide stretch of clean golden sand
  • Mangrove forests and lagoon
  • Calm and secluded atmosphere
  • Opportunity to watch turtles
  • Free entry

Cons

  • Swimming prohibited due to strong waves and currents
  • No lifeguards
  • Limited infrastructure
  • No sunbeds or umbrellas
  • Night access restricted to protect turtles
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for nature lovers and turtle watching. Suitable for a quiet holiday and walks. Not suitable for swimming due to strong waves and currents.
Features
What makes this beach unique
One of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in Sri Lanka, where five species of turtles come ashore year-round. The beach is protected, and access is restricted at night.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
moderate
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
10 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
3 500 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
5.0 m
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
strong
Wave Height
1.2 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
November December
Season end
April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
high
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
10.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
Strong currents (dangerous for swimming)
Jellyfish (in season)
Sea urchins
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
No
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
3 pcs
Best restaurants

Ocean Breeze Dining Club

Seafood

Beachside seafood restaurant with picturesque Indian Ocean views and fresh seafood

Hungry Dragon Restaurant

Sri Lankan

Restaurant with delicious fish and curry, popular with locals

Seven Turtles Restaurant

Sri Lankan

Restaurant near the turtle beach with local cuisine

Nearby cuisines

Sri Lankan

Traditional Sri Lankan cuisine with rice and curry

Must try: Rice and curry, stir-fry, sambol

Seafood

Fresh Indian Ocean seafood

Must try: Prawns, crabs, grilled fish
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
much
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Flip-flops Cash Hat Insect repellent
Best Time to Swim
The best time to visit is from November to April (dry season). Fewer people and mosquitoes in the morning.
Local Rules
Making fires is prohibited. Take your rubbish with you. Night access restricted to protect turtles.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project

Sea turtle conservation centre where you can see hatchlings and learn about their protection.

Rekawa Lagoon

Scenic lagoon with mangrove forests and rich wildlife, popular for kayaking.

Tangalle Beach

Neighbouring popular beach with developed infrastructure, 10 km from Rekawa.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Rekawa Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Rekawa Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — strong. Average wave height — 1.2 m. Strong waves will please surfers but require caution when swimming with children.
Rekawa Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — moderate. The shallow area extends for 10 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable.
Rekawa Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 3 500 metres.
Rekawa Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in November, December. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Rekawa Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Rekawa Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: Strong currents (dangerous for swimming), Jellyfish (in season), Sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Rekawa Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Rekawa Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Rekawa Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Ocean Breeze Dining Club, Hungry Dragon Restaurant, Seven Turtles Restaurant. Cuisines available: Sri Lankan, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Rekawa Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Flip-flops, Cash, Hat, Insect repellent.
Rekawa Beach: when is the best time to swim?
The best time to visit is from November to April (dry season). Fewer people and mosquitoes in the morning.
Rekawa Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Making fires is prohibited. Take your rubbish with you. Night access restricted to protect turtles.
Rekawa Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Rekawa Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for nature lovers and turtle watching. Suitable for a quiet holiday and walks. Not suitable for swimming due to strong waves and currents.
Rekawa Beach: what makes this beach unique?
One of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in Sri Lanka, where five species of turtles come ashore year-round. The beach is protected, and access is restricted at night.
Rekawa Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: One of the most important turtle nesting sites in Sri Lanka, Wild and untouched beach, Wide stretch of clean golden sand, Mangrove forests and lagoon, Calm and secluded atmosphere, Opportunity to watch turtles, Free entry. Cons: Swimming prohibited due to strong waves and currents, No lifeguards, Limited infrastructure, No sunbeds or umbrellas, Night access restricted to protect turtles.
Rekawa Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project, Rekawa Lagoon, Tangalle Beach. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Rekawa Beach: how do I get to the city of Tangalle?
The beach is located near the city of Tangalle. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Tangalle.

City

Tangalle

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.