A reef-protected bay just south of Matara where a resident population of green and loggerhead turtles feeds on the reef grass in the shallows – genuinely wild animals using their natural habitat, not a feeding-station attraction. The reef’s health is significantly better than many southwest coast equivalents because it receives far fewer visitors, and the water clarity that results makes Polhena one of the finest snorkelling environments on the southern coast. SiriLanka Tours recommends it for travellers who prioritise the quality and authenticity of the marine encounter over the profile of the destination.