Great conservation project to protect the turtles amidst what happened in Sri Lanka post Tsunami in 2004. Lucky to have held them, such cute little nutshells. What took me aback is the way they swim, such a unique way. Can keep observing them all day long.

I recommend going, but the fridge magnets in the souvenir shop are expensive.

Very inspiring and simply great work. Actually they are doing such a great job.Turtles are amazing creatures and caring for them is such a precious thing to do.It's a wonderful place.The staff was well trained.The place is clean and the turtles look healthy. A must visit with children. You can even touch the baby sea turtles and hold a big one in your hand.It's So lovey experience. We enjoyed every bits of this place.🌊🐢🏖️🌅

We recently visited the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research And Conservation Centre, and it was an incredible experience. Not only did I get to learn about the important work they do to protect sea turtles, but I also had the opportunity to witness something truly magical: the release of baby sea turtles into the ocean. The staff were knowledgeable and passionate, and they took the time to answer all of our questions and explain the importance of their conservation efforts. And when it came time for the turtle release, it was an unforgettable experience. Seeing those tiny turtles make their way to the ocean was a moment I will never forget. If you're planning a visit to the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research And Conservation Centre, my top tip is to find out what time they're releasing the baby turtles. Trust me, it's a life-changing experience that you don't want to miss. Overall, I highly recommend this centre to anyone interested in learning about marine conservation and witnessing the incredible work being done to protect these amazing creatures.

Mixed experience for my visit (I went mainly coz it’s walking distance from where I stayed in Kosgoda, and coz of the 4+ star Google and TA reviews) in April 2022. Coming from Australia and having visited Hawaii and Malaysia, I was more used to seeing sea turtles on the beach or underwater in the wild rather than in tanks. Not sure how many of these turtle hatcheries (all privately run) are honest and legit — simply plenty of them along the coast of Sri Lanka, all claimed to be non-profit and ethical, with long history... I truly hope they live up to their words… (Different researches showing hatcheries or natural nests are better for survival rates of turtles, for instance). Baby turtles and handicapped ones of different species are kept here. The guide did an alright explanation, but you need to be prepared for a lot of side-tracked pushy hardselling of his local friends’ “attractions” nearby such as some farms, some Tuktuk ride to somewhere like Lego store for an extra fee, etc… as well as proactively asking for tips and making purchases from their gift shop! Quite frustrating and annoying at some points while I was observing the turtles’ behaviour, or had genuine questions about the turtles which left unanswered. But I could refer to the info boards there myself (in English and German) to learn about facts. Rs1000pp entrance fee (for foreigners - not sure about locals’ fees) plus tips seem reasonable. I hope they’re really spending the tourists’ donations appropriately in the upkeeping of the hatchery to protect the lives of the turtles.

Thank you very much for your great use of your station. Very inspiring and simply great work. Keep it up🥰😘

I'm sorry to hear about 2016. I didn't know how to get there, but I took the train from Colombo Fort anyway. I continued to pass many stations that said, ``Let's do this around here'', and finally stopped at ``AMBALANGODA'' station, where I took a bus bound for Colombo from the bus terminal about 200 meters north. So, when I saw a picture of a sea turtle while looking at the scenery, I jumped off and managed to find the Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Sea turtles with injuries and missing legs are being rescued. I feel sorry for the sea turtles, but you can also bring them with you.

Very dedicated and commendable work to support turtles and other marine life.

You must come here if you’re in the area! Such a beautiful place with lots of information about the sea turtles. You can see many different see turtles and learn about all the different types! Really nice staff and a cute souvenir shop at the front!

A wonderful place. The staff is well trained. You can make out that the turtles are well cared for. The place is clean and the turtles look healthy. They also had rescued turtles and are doing a great job or rehabilitation . Great educational experience for kids and adults alike. Also there are some other fake conservatories in an around and the tuk tuk guys will take you there. Be specific about asking for Victor Hasselblad .

A wonderful experience to learn and experience these gentle creatures up close. Isuru is the 3rd generation to continue this conservation and business of protecting, hatching, caring and releasing turtles.

Great place. They explain everything about the turtles and give the experience to hold a few of them. Have few good size tanks.

They are doing such a great job. Turtles are amazing creatures and caring for them is such a precious thing to do. A must visit with children. You can even touch the baby turtles and hold a big one in your hand.

It is a hatchery protecting endangered turtles ( including an albino). But people should visit to help & encourage the project. The guide is very knowledgeable.

This place do a really great service to the environment. They not only help to reproduce the turtles, but also treat the handicapped and hurt turtles. They explained everything very clearly. Good place to visit with children.

So sad that a place like this needs to exist, but so happy it does. They raise turtles for 4 days and then let them free.

1000 rupees per person for a short but interesting tour through the hatchery. It was nice to learn some details about the different local species of turtles and you can see turtles in different stages of their development before getting released into the sea. Unfortunately, the tour guide seemed very hasty during the tour and was trying to urge us into booking a lagoon boat tour from him, despite the lagoon seems totally unrelated to the hatchery. We are fully aware that people here live from tourism, but in this case the guide's urge to sell us something additionally was too much and compromised our experience.

The place was less crowded when we visited. Had a guided tour and they explained us about various types of turtles and their behaviour etc.

Ticket for an adult cost 100/= and will used the income back to conserving turtles. Small place contains about 8 tanks.

I do love animals I saw baby turtle 🐢 there are so cute , i could touch it and i saw one going to the beach I protect her until arrived very nice feeling

Such a well organized hatchery - all the turtles can be happy to have such a great start into their lifes!

Interesting to see. You can squeeze it.

Turtle conservation in Sri Lanka is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and preserving fragile marine ecosystems. Additionally, turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy coral reefs by controlling sponge populations.

We visited today, there are amazing people working there who are “on fire” with caring for turtles, it’s clean, they told and showed everything, I really liked it! Admission by ticket (2000 rupees)

I highly recommend the sea turtle conservation facility. While there are many similar places, this one is perfect for those who want to leisurely observe sea turtles. The entrance fee includes a guide, usually an enthusiastic gentleman, for 1000 rupees. Additionally, giving a tip enhances the service, and our guide went above and beyond to provide detailed explanations. Since we were the only visitors, we had the opportunity to explore the facility at our own pace. Although we couldn't experience releasing baby turtles into the sea due to the mismatched season, that's the only regret we have.

They are doings god's work to save the sea turtles. We never knew the mafia involved in the sea turtles. Great job guys, Really appreciate the work you are doing in saving the turtles and breeding the turtle hatcheries.

They have various groups of turtles. You can experience the little turtles as well as a well grown up turtle called Monica. Overall the experience is wholesome.

This was a nice expirence visiting this place got to know about the turtles a lot how the grow up and what all they take to protect them, beautiful place

It was one-of-a-kind experience. We enjoyed every bits of this place. They explain the details clearly. This place does a great job in protecting turtles, including nesting and releasing them back to the sea.

Provides information on turtle conservation very well. Good place to bring kids and family

They do a very good thing for nature, but at the same time it’s an entertaining business, the excursion doesn’t worth to pay for it. It costs 1000 Rs, guide was really not interested in telling things, he was bored and intended to finish soon, it took 5 mins to go through the turtle pavilion. And also he offered to touch turtles - people, don’t touch wild animals, it’s not good for them.

Small but very nice place. Full of baby turtles and some bigger ones. Learned a lot from our guide

It’s a nice place to visit. Volunteers there are doing a good useful job. Thank you very much for helping turtles 🐢