Ten days on the south coast beaches
Negombo → Bentota → Unawatuna → Mirissa → Tangalle
South coast
Unawatuna
A curved, reef-sheltered bay ten minutes from Galle Fort, with calm swimming in season, Jungle Beach and the Peace Pagoda on Rumassala hill.
- Time to spend
- 2 nights
- Best months
- December to April.
- Getting around
- Walk along the beach; tuk-tuks to Galle and Dalawella.
- Good to know
- Unawatuna is busy in high season. Stay near the quieter western end or at Dalawella if you want peace.
Unawatuna is one of the best swimming beaches on the south coast in season: a deep curve of sand protected by a reef and a rocky headland, with a small temple on the rocks at one end.
Over the hill to the west is Rumassala, a wooded headland that legend links to the Ramayana. A path leads to the white Japanese Peace Pagoda and down to Jungle Beach, a small cove good for snorkelling.
To the east is the quieter beach of Dalawella. Galle Fort is close enough for a half-day visit, or for dinner.
What to see and do
A curved bay with calm water in season, sheltered by a reef and lined with cafes.
A small, sheltered cove below the wooded Rumassala hill, reached on foot or by tuk-tuk, with snorkelling off the rocks.
A quieter beach east of Unawatuna with rock pools at low tide and a well-known rope swing.
A white stupa built by Japanese monks on the top of Rumassala, with views over Galle harbour and the fort.
Also consider
Nearby places to stay
- GalleAbout 15 min by carPlan with both
- ThalpeAbout 15 min by carPlan with both
- AhangamaAbout 30 min by carPlan with both
- MirissaAbout 45 min by carPlan with both
- HikkaduwaAbout 45 min by carPlan with both
- WeligamaAbout 45 min by carPlan with both
Photos
Ready-made trips that include Unawatuna
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