Sri Lankan Sea Turtles | The Turtle Bros

The Five Sea Turtles of Sri Lanka

Each species is unique and plays an important role in the marine ecosystem. Learn more about what makes them special, their challenges, and how you can help protect them.

Green Sea Turtle

Status: Endangered

The Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is the most common sea turtle found in Sri Lanka, named for its greenish body fat. Adults can grow up to 1.5m long and weigh over 200kg!

Habitat: Shallow coastal waters, bays, and lagoons.
Diet: Mostly seagrasses and algae, which keeps seagrass beds healthy and productive.
Special features: Smooth, heart-shaped shell; gentle temperament.
Threats: Egg poaching, habitat loss, bycatch in fishing gear, pollution, and climate change.
Fun fact: Green turtles migrate hundreds of miles between their feeding grounds and nesting beaches.

At our sanctuary, we often rescue injured Green Turtles and nurture their hatchlings before releasing them back to the wild.

Loggerhead Turtle

Status: Vulnerable

The Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) is named for its large, strong head and powerful jaws. Loggerheads are the rarest visitors to Sri Lanka’s beaches, but can be seen nesting here occasionally.

Habitat: Open ocean, coastal bays, and estuaries.
Diet: Hard-shelled prey like crabs, mollusks, and sea urchins, using their powerful jaws to crush shells.
Special features: Reddish-brown, broad shell and massive head.
Threats: Fisheries bycatch, marine debris (especially plastics), and loss of nesting habitat.
Fun fact: Loggerheads are world travelers, sometimes crossing entire ocean basins!

We protect nesting sites and work with local fishermen to minimize accidental capture of these amazing turtles.

Olive Ridley Turtle

Status: Vulnerable

The Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) is the smallest sea turtle in Sri Lanka and is famous for its synchronized mass nesting events known as “arribada.”

Habitat: Tropical and subtropical ocean waters, especially offshore areas.
Diet: Omnivorous—feeds on jellyfish, shrimp, crabs, and even seaweed.
Special features: Olive-green, heart-shaped shell; rapid swimmers.
Threats: Egg harvesting, entanglement in fishing nets, and pollution.
Fun fact: Tens of thousands of Olive Ridleys come ashore together to lay eggs in a single night during arribada.

We monitor nesting beaches and protect Olive Ridley eggs from predators and poachers.

Hawksbill Turtle

Status: Critically Endangered

The Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) is best known for its strikingly beautiful, overlapping scales, which have sadly made it a target for illegal shell trade.

Habitat: Coral reefs, rocky coasts, and shallow lagoons.
Diet: Mainly sponges, but also sea anemones and jellyfish.
Special features: Narrow, pointed beak and vibrant patterned shell.
Threats: Illegal poaching for shells (“tortoiseshell”), habitat destruction, and coral reef loss.
Fun fact: Hawksbills help control sponge populations on coral reefs, maintaining the reef’s health.

Our team works tirelessly to educate the community about the importance of Hawksbill conservation and helps rehabilitate those rescued from illegal trade.

Leatherback Turtle

Status: Critically Endangered

The Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest living sea turtle, growing up to 2.9m long and weighing more than 900kg. Unlike other turtles, it has a flexible, leathery shell.

Habitat: Open ocean—often seen far from shore, diving to depths over 1,000 meters.
Diet: Mainly jellyfish, helping keep jellyfish populations in balance.
Special features: Ridged, leathery shell; the only sea turtle without a hard shell.
Threats: Marine debris (especially plastic bags), fishing gear entanglement, climate change, and illegal egg collection.
Fun fact: Leatherbacks can tolerate colder waters better than any other sea turtle.

Leatherbacks are rare in Sri Lanka, but our sanctuary remains committed to protecting their nesting grounds and supporting international conservation efforts.

Discover the Beauty of Sea Turtles in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is home to some of the world’s most endangered and awe-inspiring sea turtles. These incredible creatures nest along the island's pristine beaches, making Sri Lanka a key location for global sea turtle conservation efforts. With five distinct species found in the waters surrounding Sri Lanka, including the Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, and Loggerhead turtles, the island is a vital nesting site that contributes to the preservation of these majestic animals.

At the Hikkaduwa Sea Turtle Hatchery and Sanctuary, we’re dedicated to protecting these remarkable creatures by providing a safe environment for nesting, educating the public, and promoting sustainable conservation practices. By visiting Sri Lanka, you are not only experiencing the beauty of its coastline but also helping to support the vital conservation efforts that ensure the survival of these endangered sea turtle species.

Join us in our mission to protect the sea turtles of Sri Lanka and help ensure a future where these incredible creatures continue to thrive.

Support Sea Turtle Conservation