Rekawa Beach ,Sri Lanka (Best Beaches of the World )
The beach at Rekawa village, 10km east of Tangalla Bay Beach, is home to one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in Sri Lanka, visited by five different species which lay their eggs in the sand here every night throughout the year.
The best time to see turtles is between January & April; periods when there's a full moon. Fullish moon too are good throughout the year, because there are both more turtles & more light to see them by. Rekawa has recorded 23 turtles in one night. We will definitely see at least a couple of turtles every night.
We wait long hours in the pitch black beach. At last, one arrives in the midnight crawling across the beach, away from sea. It leaves, on its path, a remarkable trail which looks as if a one-wheeled tractor has driven straight up out to the sea. It's an agonizingly slow crawl of exhausting half an hour by a creature not adapted to the land. Having reached the top of the beach, the turtle then spend about another 45 minutes digging an enormous hole. Silence of the midnight is broken by periodic thrashing & sound of great clouds of sand being scuffed up. As the turtle begins to lay eggs, we can get close to watch, although all we could see is the turtle's backside with eggs-looking just like ping-pong balls-periodically popping out in twos & threes. The turtle then rests, fills in the hole & eventually crawls back down to the sea. It's an epic effort, the sight of which makes the whole evening-long experience worthwhile.
In the absence of government sponsored project, the turtle eggs are then taken to be re-buried in a secure location, by the villagers who make a basic living from entertaining tourists. These creatures have acted as a rare bridge between marine & terrestrial ecosystems for 100 million years, enriching both as they steadfastly undertake their remarkable two-realm life cycle. We refuse to buy eggs for consumption. We refuse to buy...
Read moreRekawa Beach is situated in Rakawa town, near Tangalle in the Hambantota district of Southern Province, Sri Lanka. This beach is stunningly beautiful, featuring a wide stretch of white sand that meets the tranquil turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Palm trees line the coast, swaying gently in the cool breeze. The beach is also home to a diverse array of marine animals.
A highlight of Rekawa Beach is its role as a nesting site for sea turtles. Remarkably, five out of the world's seven sea turtle species can be found here, including green, loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback turtles. Leatherback turtles are particularly rare and notable. Visitors often enjoy watching the fascinating process of turtle eggs hatching.
Beyond turtle watching, Rekawa Beach is perfect for relaxing and soaking in nature's beauty. The area offers several food and drink spots, as well as a variety of accommodations, from beach huts to boutique hotels. Overall, Rekawa Beach provides a comprehensive and...
Read moreRekawa Beach is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts in Sri Lanka. The beach is stunning, with soft sandy shores and crystal clear waters. However, the real highlight of Rekawa Beach is the opportunity to witness sea turtles nesting and hatching on the beach.
Visitors can see several species of sea turtles, including the green turtle, olive ridley turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle, and leatherback turtle. Watching these creatures emerge from the sea and lay their eggs on the beach is a truly awe-inspiring experience.
Apart from turtle watching, Rekawa Beach offers visitors the chance to engage in various water sports activities such as surfing, swimming, and snorkeling. The beach is relatively quiet and less crowded, making it a perfect spot to relax and unwind.
Overall, Rekawa Beach is an excellent destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of Sri Lanka and witness one of nature's most incredible spectacles. Highly...
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