- Land
Land at Bandaranaike International Airport, pick up your SIM card and meet your driver.
- Drive to Negombo15 minup to 30 min in traffic · 7 km
- 16:30
A wide stretch of sand north of the town; good for an evening walk after a long flight.
Ready-made itinerary · 10 days
Ten days on the south coast beaches
A beach holiday with short drives and no early alarms, apart from the whale-watching boat. Bentota's river and gardens, Unawatuna with Galle Fort next door, Mirissa for whales, and the quiet coves around Tangalle to finish.
Ready-made itinerary
The trip, day by day
2 adults · Relaxed · Mid-range
- 1Negombo1n
- 2Bentota2n
- 3Unawatuna2n
- 4Mirissa2n
- 5Tangalle2n
per personLKR 148k–298k
Your route
5 stops · 484 km · about 9 hr driving
- 1NegomboWest coast1 night
- 2BentotaWest coast2 nights
- 3UnawatunaSouth coast2 nights
- 4MirissaSouth coast2 nights
- 5TangalleSouth coast2 nights
Lines join overnight stops in order. They are not road paths.
- 08:30Drive to Bentota2 hrup to 2 hr 30 min in traffic · 112 km
- 12:00
Snorkel in the shallow, reef-protected lagoon of Hikkaduwa National Park, where green turtles often feed close to shore.
- 08:30
- 07:30
A boat trip through the mangroves and small islands of the Madu Ganga estuary at Balapitiya, with a stop at a cinnamon island.
- 14:30
A wide stretch of golden sand south of the river mouth, with calm swimming in the dry season and water sports on the river side.
- 07:30
- 08:30Drive to Unawatuna1 hr 30 minup to 1 hr 45 min in traffic · 70 km
- 14:30
A curved bay with calm water in season, sheltered by a reef and lined with cafes.
- 08:30
- 14:30
A small, sheltered cove below the wooded Rumassala hill, reached on foot or by tuk-tuk, with snorkelling off the rocks.
- All day
A free day with nothing booked. Rest, swim, or wander at your own pace.
- 14:30
- Travel day
Unawatuna to Mirissa
Night in Mirissa
Whale watching in season and Coconut Tree Hill at sunset.
- 08:30Drive to Mirissa45 minup to 1 hr in traffic · 30 km
- 16:30
A small headland of leaning palms above the sea at the east end of the bay. Busy at sunset.
- 08:30
- 06:30
A morning boat trip of four to six hours to look for blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins. Sightings are likely in season but never guaranteed.
- 14:30
The main bay, lined with cafes, with Parrot Rock reachable on foot at low tide in calm weather.
- 06:30
- 08:30Drive to Tangalle1 hr 15 minup to 1 hr 45 min in traffic · 49 km
- 14:30
A cave temple complex on a steep rock, with reclining Buddhas and painted ceilings on several terraces and views over the countryside from the top.
- 08:30
- 07:30
The horseshoe bay itself, with a beginner-friendly beach break, a reef break for experienced surfers and calm water for swimming on small days.
- 14:30
A small, sheltered cove of golden sand between rocky headlands, one of the safer swimming spots near Tangalle in season.
- 07:30
- Departure
Tangalle to the airport
Flight home from CMB
Check out and drive to the airport. Aim to arrive three hours before your flight.
- Drive to the airport3 hr 30 minup to 4 hr 15 min in traffic · 216 km
Budget estimate
Mid-range · 2 adults · December
LKR 148,000 – 298,000per person · whole trip LKR 296k–596k for two
Estimated ranges, not quotes. Based on published 2026 prices, reviewed 22 Oct 2026. Excludes flights and visas. Tickets are counted where a price is known.
Why this route
- Day 5 is left free so the trip does not become a rush.
Good to know
- The south-west coast is calm from about December to April. From May to September the sea is rough and many beaches are unsafe for swimming.
- Every drive on this route is under two hours except the last one. Tangalle to the airport takes about three and a half to four hours, so fly out in the evening.
- Watch the turtles only with the community-run groups that keep lights and crowds away from the nests.