Bentota: Located 60 kilometers from the capital, Bentota is a coastal city and the gateway to the Southern Province, often called “Sri Lanka’s Paradise.” Known for its famous Golden Beach, it’s a top beach destination. The best time to visit is from November to April.
To the north of Bentota, there’s a place known as “Paradise Island,” featuring a wide lake perfect for swimming, diving, windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking, banana boating, deep-sea fishing, and watching sunsets. It’s considered a hub for water sports.
Hikkaduwa: Located 98 kilometers south of Colombo, Hikkaduwa is a charming seaside town 14 kilometers from Galle. It’s one of the beautiful beaches in Southern Sri Lanka, perfect for snorkeling and diving in clear waters. The coral-protected shallow areas along Hikkaduwa’s coast are home to colorful coral and a variety of fish, making it an eco-friendly way to observe marine life. Nearby small islands and beautiful coral reefs are home to many fish and large sea turtles.
From November to April each year is the best time to visit the southwest coast, when the sea is calm and visibility is at its best. The area is famous for its coral and subtropical fish. The coral reefs, just a few meters below the surface, can be explored via diving or glass-bottom boat trips, where you can marvel at the vibrant coral formations and the marine life swimming among them.
Unawatuna: Unawatuna is a coastal town in the Galle district of Sri Lanka, known for its beautiful beaches and coral. Located about 5 kilometers southeast of Galle’s city center and 108 kilometers south of Colombo, Unawatuna is a popular tourist destination and home to a famous turtle hatchery. Besides exploring the Galle Fort, visitors also enjoy deep-sea fishing, and the mangroves about 10 kilometers south of the beach are worth a visit.
Weligama: Weligama is a popular tourist destination with several boutique hotels, including the renowned Marriott. Located 143 kilometers south of Colombo along Sri Lanka’s southern highway, it’s about an 8-kilometer drive from Mirissa.
Weligama Beach is famous for its stilt fishermen. Just a few meters from the shore, these fishermen sit on horizontal poles fixed to the seabed, fishing in the deep waters off the beach.
Mirissa: Mirissa is a small town on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, located in the Matara District of the Southern Province. It’s about 150 kilometers south of Colombo and roughly 8 kilometers from Matara.
Mirissa is one of Sri Lanka’s prime whale and dolphin-watching spots, with the best season from November to April. Besides blue whales, you can also spot sperm whales, whale sharks, dolphins, and more.
Tangalle: Tangalle is a large town in the Hambantota District of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. It’s located 195 kilometers (121 miles) south of Colombo and about 35 kilometers (22 miles) east of Matara. With its clean white sand beaches and deep blue waters, Tangalle is a favorite among European tourists. The palm-fringed Tangalle Bay is one of the island’s largest and most beautiful bays, protected by surrounding reefs. You can reach this charming destination by train, bus, or rental vehicle in 4 to 5 hours. Tangalle is known for its beautiful beaches suitable for swimming and diving, making it a popular spot on the southern coast.
Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Mulkirigala, Sri Lanka. It is built on a natural rock 205 meters high, surrounded by four other rocks known as Benagala, Kondagala, Bisogala, and Seelawathiegala. On April 8, 1988, it was officially recognized as an archaeological site of Sri Lanka. Located about 2 kilometers from Tangalle town, it is called “Little Sigiriya” by the locals.
To reach the Mulkirigala Rock Temple Raja Maha Viharaya, follow the Beliatta-Weeraketiya main road and stop at Mulkirigala Junction. The temple is 2 kilometers from the Mulkirigala Junction. You can reach Beliatta town from Dikwella or Tangalle.
The murals inside the temple are very well preserved.
Tangalle Lagoon is also very nice; the lake surface is calm, with various birds and lizards seen everywhere. You can take a speedboat for a leisurely tour.
From November to April are the best months to visit this picturesque small town. When you tour the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Tangalle’s white sandy beaches and sunbathing are not to be missed.
