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Turtle Beach

Черепаший пляж
Sri Lanka · Beach · Hikkaduwa
high
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for marine life enthusiasts and snorkelling. Suitable for families with children thanks to calm water. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.

Best month

January

Water
+28.0°C
Length
200 m
Turtle Beach in Hikkaduwa, where you can see sea turtles right off the shore. It features calm water and soft sand, popular for turtle watching and snorkelling.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
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
Turtle Beach in Hikkaduwa, where you can see sea turtles right off the shore. It features calm water and soft sand, popular for turtle watching and snorkelling.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Sea turtles just metres from the shore
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Coral reef for snorkelling
  • Golden sand
  • Calm water protected by reef
  • Opportunity to feed turtles
  • Diving and surfing
  • Accessible (near main beach)

Cons

  • Can be crowded
  • Pushy seaweed sellers
  • No lifeguards
  • Strong current in some areas
  • Litter in high season
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for marine life enthusiasts and snorkelling. Suitable for families with children thanks to calm water. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.
Features
What makes this beach unique
This is one of the few places in the world where sea turtles swim so close to the shore that they can be seen without a mask and snorkel. The turtles feed on seaweed in the coastal zone.
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
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
mixed
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
200 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
8.0 m
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 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
moderate
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
2.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins
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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
0 pcs
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
active
Crowd Level
crowded
Silence Level
noisy
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
No
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Snorkel mask Cash
Best Time to Swim
Early morning when the water is calm and turtles are most active. Avoid the midday heat.
Local Rules
Do not touch or feed turtles unnecessarily. Keep a respectful distance.
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Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Hikkaduwa Coral Reef

National park with coral gardens and marine life

Hikkaduwa

Town with restaurants and shops along the beach

Turtle Hatchery

Sea turtle conservation hatchery near the beach

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Turtle 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.
Turtle Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Turtle Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — mixed. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Turtle Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 200 metres.
Turtle 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.
Turtle 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.
Turtle Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Turtle Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Turtle Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Turtle Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Snorkel mask, Cash.
Turtle Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Early morning when the water is calm and turtles are most active. Avoid the midday heat.
Turtle Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Do not touch or feed turtles unnecessarily. Keep a respectful distance.
Turtle Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving, surfing. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Turtle Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for marine life enthusiasts and snorkelling. Suitable for families with children thanks to calm water. Not suitable for those seeking solitude.
Turtle Beach: what makes this beach unique?
This is one of the few places in the world where sea turtles swim so close to the shore that they can be seen without a mask and snorkel. The turtles feed on seaweed in the coastal zone.
Turtle Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Sea turtles just metres from the shore, Crystal-clear water, Coral reef for snorkelling, Golden sand, Calm water protected by reef, Opportunity to feed turtles, Diving and surfing, Accessible (near main beach). Cons: Can be crowded, Pushy seaweed sellers, No lifeguards, Strong current in some areas, Litter in high season.
Turtle Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Hikkaduwa Coral Reef, Hikkaduwa, Turtle Hatchery. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Turtle Beach: how do I get to the city of Hikkaduwa?
The beach is located near the city of Hikkaduwa. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Hikkaduwa.

City

Hikkaduwa

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