If you’re wondering where to see wild turtles in Sri Lanka, look no further than Polhena Beach in Matara. The beach is a hotspot for snorkelling with turtles, with a number of green turtles regularly found just metres from shore. Polhena Beach is easily accessible from Mirissa, which is a common stop off point on any south Sri Lanka itinerary. This guide covers all you need to know about snorkelling with green turtles at Polhena Beach, Sri Lanka.
Want to see more wildlife in Sri Lanka? Check out our guide to ethical whale watching in Mirissa and our comparison of safaris at Yala and Udawalawe National Parks!
Getting to Polhena Beach
Polhena Beach is located in Matara, on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. It’s approximately a 10-minute drive from the centre of Matara, or a 25-minute drive from the nearby town of Mirissa – a popular spot for whale watching in Sri Lanka!
The best way to get to Polhena Beach is to take the local bus from Mirissa, which should cost around 50 rupees. Take a bus towards Tangalle or Matara, as these buses head in the direction of the beach.
You don’t need to buy a ticket before getting the bus, as someone will be on the bus to collect your fare and give you a ticket. Simply hop on the bus, let them know you want to get off near Polhena Beach, and make sure to have cash on hand to pay for your fare.
The Polhena bus stop is around a 15-20 minute walk from the beach, so once you are dropped off you will need to walk the rest of the way. It’s worth using Google Maps or an offline map app like maps.me to make sure you’re on the quickest route to the beach.
If you are coming from Matara then you will want to catch a bus towards Galle or Colombo, as these should pass the same stop in Polhena. In terms of return transport, if you have come from Mirissa then take a bus towards Galle or Colombo, and if you came from Matara then you can catch a bus directly to the city.
It’s cheapest to get to Polhena Beach by bus, but if you would prefer then you can take a taxi or tuk-tuk to the beach. This option means you can go directly to the beach itself, and should cost around 1,000 rupees from Mirissa to Polhena Beach by tuk-tuk or taxi.
When to see the turtles at Polhena Beach, Sri Lanka
The best time to see the green turtles at Polhena Beach tends to be the morning. In our experience the turtles are seen more frequently at this time of day.
On top of this, less people tend to be at the beach earlier in the day – so it will be less crowded when you are snorkelling. This means your encounters with turtles at Polhena Beach will feel a bit more special, as later in the day it can get quite busy.
Ideally you want to avoid visiting the beach at weekends, as it’s a popular beach with locals and so will be more busy.
The best time to visit Polhena Beach in terms of weather is between December and March, as this is the driest time of year. Coincidentally, it’s also whale watching season in Mirissa during this time – so make sure to take a whale watching trip while you’re in the area!
Tips for snorkelling with turtles at Polhena Beach
Keep your distance – Make sure to always keep a respectful distance when snorkelling with the turtles. Remember that they are wild animals so give them plenty of space, and make sure not to overcrowd them.
Don’t touch or feed the turtles – This follows on from the above point, but never touch or feed the turtles. Touching the turtles may scare them and feeding them can alter their natural behaviour, so please avoid doing either. Instead, just enjoy seeing these amazing creatures in their natural habitat!
Bring snorkel gear – If you have your own snorkel then bring it along to avoid having to rent one at the beach. Even if you don’t have one, it may be worth buying one before your trip as then you can use it to snorkel on future trips too! Alternatively, snorkels are available to rent at the beach if you prefer.
Low tide – When it’s low tide the sea can be quite shallow if you swim beyond the red buoys. Past the buoys there is a lot of coral, so when it’s low tide it can be hard to avoid damaging the coral or injuring yourself. Thankfully even at low tide the turtles can be seen without swimming beyond the red buoys.
Accommodation at Polhena Beach
There are plenty of accommodation options near Polhena Beach in Matara, with something to suit every budget. Staying by the beach is ideal if you want to snorkel with the green turtles on more than one occasion!
Click here to see the great accommodation options near the beach on Booking.com!
Our personal recommendation would actually be to stay in the nearby town of Mirissa and then take a day trip to snorkel with the turtles. There is a bit more to see and do in Mirissa itself, which makes it a good place to base yourself – and you can still visit Polhena Beach as much as you like.
There are more accommodation options in Mirissa, as well as some nice restaurants and bars along the beachfront. While you’re in Mirissa don’t miss the chance to take a whale watching tour, as it’s one of the best places in the world to see blue whales in the wild!
Click here to find the best accommodation in Mirissa on Booking.com!
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