What to Do in Khao Lak?
The Sea Turtle Conservation Center, also known as the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Sea Turtle Nursery, is a conservation facility located in South Khao Lak. It’s about 15 kilometres south of Bang Niang, the main town resort in Khao Lak and 50 km north of Phuket Island.
The centre was founded in 1985 to rehabilitate and release injured sea turtles and conserve sea turtle populations in the region. The Royal Thai Navy plays an active role in turtle conservation efforts here. Injured turtles and eggs collected from beaches are brought to the center. The injured turtles are treated and released back into the wild when healthy.
Eggs are incubated in a safe environment and baby turtles are raised for 6-8 months before they are released back to the sea.
Visitors can observe various sizes of sea turtles in shaded tanks. There are feeding times throughout the day, which is a popular activity for visitors. The entrance is free but donations are welcome to feed the turtles and maintain the facility. If you are in Khao Lak, this is a great activity to visit as a family. The kids will love looking at lively turtles of all sizes, from tiny babies to fully grown turtles.
While the center is not a large facility and it is a bit away from the main areas of Khaolak, it is a great place to learn more about sea turtles and their conservation and spend some time taking the kids out for a couple of hours.
How to get there
The Sea Turtle Conservation Center is part of a military navy base, so the access is a bit unusual if you are not aware of how to get inside. First, you will have to enter a navy base that looks quite serious. You’ll be asked to park near the entrance, leave an ID card or driving licence and get a name tag to wear. At the time of our visit, the entrance was free, but it used to be 60 baht, which is not much anyway. Once you have it around your neck, you can keep driving a couple of kilometres, past the golf course which is also part of the base, and stop at the ample parking near the beach.
Once done with your visit, have a look at the superb deserted beach with the display of recycled bottles in the shape of a whale, then cool down at the Sea Turtle Cafe before moving on to your next destination.
More photos of The Sea Turtle Conservation Center
Sea Turtle Conservation Center Info
Location: South Khao Lak – Phang-Nga Navy Base
Phone: 076 453 342
Hours: 8.00 am – 5 pm
Admission: Free
Sea Turtle Conservation Center Map
Get the directions on your phone: : https://maps.app.goo.gl/mwA3gWsLyUvjkc9J9
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