Sea Turtle Conservation Centre (Thap Lamu naval base)
Attraction · Khao Lak
A sea turtle nursery and rescue centre run by the Royal Thai Navy inside the Thap Lamu naval base, where injured turtles are treated and hatchlings raised for release.
Attraction
About Sea Turtle Conservation Centre (Thap Lamu naval base)
A Royal Thai Navy nursery for sea turtles inside the Thap Lamu naval base, south of Khao Lak: injured turtles are treated and hatchlings raised in nine shaded pools until they can be released. Visitors leave a passport or ID at the base checkpoint and drive 2 km to the centre, open daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm for 60 THB. It makes an easy family outing, and the T215 tsunami boat stands next door.
Also known as Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Sea Turtle Nursery
As the record has it
Good to know
- What to see
Nine shaded stations of pools, each with ten to thirty turtles grouped by age, from week-old hatchlings to adults the size of a car tyre.
Mostly green sea turtles, with hawksbill, olive ridley and leatherback turtles in the display station.
Feeding times through the day.
Next door, the T215 navy boat, another wreck the 2004 tsunami carried inland, less well kept than Police Boat 813.
- Getting there
At the Lam Kaen traffic lights turn right and drive about 1 km to the navy checkpoint; leave a passport or ID there and drive 2 km on to the centre.
- With children
A good family outing: children see turtles of every size, from hatchlings up.
- Facilities
A ticket counter, a coffee shop and a souvenir shop.
- How long a visit takes
A couple of hours.
Khao Lak district
On the map
Stands inKhao Lak district