Turtle Watch Rekawa

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• Anonymous

  03 April 2018

  We could see a magnificent big turtle laying her eggs and going back to the sea. It is surely an amazing thing to experience but the high number of tourists massed together around the animal made me feel a bit uncomfortable Phones, cameras and any other light sources should be banned for visitors as it can disturb the turtles. Tourists' lack of respect is not taken seriously enough by the staff IMO.
  Entrance fee: 1000,- LKR

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• Anonymous

  28 March 2018

  Please don't go thereThere have been arround 50-60 persons and the guides weren't able to manage them not to go too near to the turtles. We thought we will see the turtles coming out of the ocean and then stay away while they lay their eggs. Unfortunately we watched them laying there eggs and the people didn't stay away and tried to get as near as possible. There was only one guide for all the people and two turtles.
  So please don't support that kind of animal abuse, that cannot be good for the turtles.
  If I would've known that before I wouldn't have went there.

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• Anonymous

  21 March 2018

  I find it very disturbing these guys take money from old folks obviously not capable to walk two and a half hour in a soft sand which is around 4 kilometres they never let you know so much walking involved you find out as you go they doing important things we all know that so if you think you're not fit enough to walk few hours in a soft sand in the middle of the night to see one if you're lucky two Turtles please consider it to go there

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• Anonymous

  15 February 2018

  Incredible! They were extremely careful and made sure the visitors do not use flash lights to distract the turtles. We were also rewarded with an incredible view of the milky way. Unforgettable!

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• Anonymous

  03 February 2018

  I can't confirm the negative ratings. Yes, there were quite a few people - but that is hardly the fault of the project. They managed it quite well, ensuring that everybody gets to see the turtle for a few minutes while the others had to stand back.
  As they should, they were very strict about only using red light (no flash) and not standing in front of the turtle. They also only allowed anyone close once she had finished digging the egg chamber and started laying, when the chances of disturbance are minimal.
  As regards disturbing her with noise, everyone around was quiet and even walked softly. Yes, of course the guide spoke loudly, but human speech is not in their hearing range, or at least the sensitive part of it - evidence suggests that they hear low frequency sounds and otherwise react to vibrations and air displacement.
  I really wish people informed themselves a bit before trashing a community-led conservation initiative. Far from not giving benefits to turtles, the fact that now the community can earn money by protecting the nests has made a world of difference. Yes, it means one or two turtles per night have to put up with being watched while laying eggs, but it has saved thousands of clutches since the project was started in the 90s.
  So please go, don't begrudge them the 1000 rupees and follow the instructions, and it will not harm the turtles and provide income to many families at the same time.

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• Anonymous

  28 January 2018

  It was really nice to see the turtle on the beach However this wasn't great experience. There was a huge group of people, taking all the time and the guide speaking really loud over the turtle laying eggs in the same time. This not watching nature without interference but just a tourist attraction probably not good for the turtles.

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• Anonymous

  26 January 2018

  it's scammers. While we were walking along the beach our car was robbed. the police said that this is not the first case, but nothing can not. be careful. better not go to this place.

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• Anonymous

  22 December 2017

  Exploitative tourist trap with next to no benefit for the turtles.
  We walked past the centre during the day and thought it would be worth a look in the evening.
  I wish we hadn’t gone, it is a horrible and invasive way to see turtles. We left mid tour.
  
  If you care for the conservation and well-being of animals, do not visit. Its your choice.

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• Anonymous

  01 June 2017

  It is a very infometive night mission and you will see lot of wonderful Turtles there.

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• Anonymous

  01 May 2017

  Good place to watch turtules in there natural habitat

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• Anonymous

  29 April 2017

  When you get there you can read all rules before you can go to the beach and see the turtles . No bigger groups then about 8 people, no talking, no flashlights, always stand behind the turtle et ect. We came there and saw 30 people standing arround a turtle!!!!
  It was horrible!!! They even draged a baby turtle from the nest to show how it followed the light to the beach, this turtle was not ready yet!! Just to show us how it tried to find its way to the water!!! We where shocked en felt Very sorry we went there..! It was crowded, people used flash and where standing almost in the nest
  Very disturbing, watch it i. TV our advise

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• Anonymous

  13 March 2017

  Exeptionally well guided and managed project for turtles. Trying to combine animal welfare and livelihood of the participating families in an exceptionally good way. Very good project with win win situation for turtles and humans!

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• Anonymous

  03 February 2017

  A community based project protecting turtles without invasive methods. That is 1. Do not touch eggd 2. Turtle nest stay were turtle laid them not in hatchery. 3. 24 hr beach watch against poachers 4. Night turtle watch for tourists as method of income to sustain this project. Well trained night turtle guides using only red light (non imvasive) and stay in good distance away superb.

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• Anonymous

  13 December 2016

  Its a must go if yiu are in the area. Its a community run project. Best time to visit is from Jan to June. Turtles numbers reduce on the other months. The staff will help you with information on Turtles and how they operate and save the Turtles. Enjoy and hope you get the opportunity to watch these beautiful creatures 😀

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