Golden Beaches

Southern Beaches in Sri Lanka

Galle & Matara

Tourist's Paradise

Galle-located 116 km to the south of Colombo on the southwest corner of the island-was founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. Galle has been declared a World Heritage City by the UNESCO

City Travel Guide Galle

Dutch Fort: Built in 1663, the fort still retains the atmosphere and charm of Dutch days. Many old Dutch buildings are still intact inside the fort. The best way to see the fort is by walking around at the time of sunset.

Dutch Museum: The Dutch Museum which is housed in a restored Dutch mansion of the time, contains paintings, prints, documents, furniture and ceramics from the Dutch colonial era.

Koggala: Koggala, near Galle is the hometown of a famous local writer Martin Wickramasinghe. The museum of Folk, Art & Culture built in his honour at his old residence has an excellent display of local folk items. They include the costumes of folk dancers, sports items, household items and furniture and vast arena of the folk life of the early 20th century. Take a boat trip in the lagoon and Kogggala Lake to see many of its small islands, which is a popular destination for bird watching.

Dutch Reformed Church: Built by a Dutch Army officer at the site of a previous Portuguese church and completed in 1754 the church is situated close to the new entrance to the fort. The church contains record of marriages since 1748 and baptism from 1678. The major highlight of the building is there are no pillars inside the building and the weight of the roof is supported by the walls.

Ahangama / Midigama: Home to a unique type of fishing technique. Silt fishing is a popular fishing method in the area and a very beautiful scenery to watch especially during sunset. Ahangama is also a popular surfing location.

Southern most major town in Sri Lanka and the terminus of the coastal rail line, Matara is located at a distance of 160 km from Sri Lanka. The Nilwala River, which is the lifeline of the region, runs through the town. Matara is famous for its natural beauty-white sandy beaches, lush paddy fields, verdant tea estates, and fragrant spice plantations. The town was earlier under the Portugese and Dutch rule.

City Travel Guide Matara
Matara Fort: Built by the Dutch around 1640, Matara Fort is a fortification of a Portuguese garrison. The old Dutch church is one of the oldest structures in the Fort. There are many other structures of the Dutch and the British era most of which have undergone many changes. The star fort built in a shape of a star was built to provide additional protection to the main fort across the river.

Dondra/Devinuwara: Dondra or Devinuwara 6 km east of Matara is the southern most point of Sri Lanka. A 40m high lighthouse was built in 1890 to provide guidance to the shipping route south of Sri Lanka. The shrine dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu at Devinuwara is a popular local attraction. The annual festival held in July / August is the major event of the temple.

Weligama: About 15 km from Matara towards Galle is a popular resort town of Weligama. The town is famous for its beaches. The rest house at Weligama is one of the oldest rest houses in Sri Lanka. The Aggrabodhi Vihara about 1 km from the rest house towards inland is an ancient temple established in the 3 century BC.

Tangalla:Tangalla, located 48km east of Matara, is one of the most pleasant places in the region for a lazy beach holiday. Facing east, the village center straddles a freshwater lagoon where a small river flows into the sea, with a fishing harbour at its mouth. North of the harbour is the long stretch of white sand known as Medaketiya. To the south, beyond a low headland, is a series of small sandy coves.

Mulgirigala Rock Temple: At Mulgirigala, 16krn north of Tangalla, this cave temple in a monolithic rock contains reclining Buddha figures in smiling repose as well as standing and seated Buddha figures, surrounded by wall paintings depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha. A Buddhist shrine crowns the rock.

The most beautiful, wide and sandy beaches can be found in Bentota (South West) a thriving tourist resort with many hotels. However tucked away are many private boutique hotels like Taru Villa, River House and Club Villa that enjoy pools and awesome beaches. The South Coast has pockets of wide beaches Nov - April and lagoons for safe all year round swimming but generally the South coast suffers with the seasons and many beaches narrow off April - October. However, it does boast the best snorkelling reefs in Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna.

Unawatuna and its surrounding beaches are very narrow, but there are excellent snorkelling reefs. There are a number of secluded and quiet bays along the south coast which kiss the gardens of private villas like Southpoint, Apa Villa, The Beach Hut and If Villa.

Mirissa is a sleepy southern town which boasts a fabulous beach and very few tourists. Mostly Guesthouses and worldwide travellers discover this corner but we have discovered a few magnificent villas which are on the cliff overlooking Mirissa beach (just 20 mins away). Cinnamon Mount and Point Sud are in the premier league of villas and are ideal for large groups/ families.

Further East still you will arrive at Tangalle on the South corner which is less commercial but the home to many private and exclusive villas like Mahawella, the last house and the Claughton House.

The East Coast has some beautiful beaches and an April-September season, but the tourist areas of Trincomalee and Aragum Bay are still slightly underdeveloped. If you wish to enjoy soaring hot temperatures, world-class surfing, great diving and simple living, then the East Coast is very up-and-coming.

Negambo and Unawatuna are well-established family beach resorts though slightly more commercial. However, Negombo can be overcrowded with fishermen and touts, and the seas can be rough.

South West Coast

Head 60km south from Colombo to find many miles of beautiful sandy beaches and mangrove lined lagoons. As the road and railway follow the coast you may take a fast and, possibly scary, trip in an air conditioned bus or express train, or plan a leisurely journey by car enjoying the numerous resorts en route.

Kalutura is entered by way of the double-span Kalu Ganga bridge and a roadside Boa tree where you may stop and make an offering at the magnificent temple to ensure a safe journey.

The back in-land roads will lead you through many rubber estates, past ancient temples of over 1000 years and hidden waterfalls where you can take a dip with the locals- beware, they will stare as they bathe fully clothed. As you approach the coast line you will discover locals pulling in the catch of the day or preparing nets.

Bentota

Arrive in style from the airport by taking the sea plane to Bentota River. Bentota & Aluthgama have become synonymous with many large and often hotels and Sri lanka’s finest beaches.

Tourist wise there is a strong German influence but they prefer to enjoy the hotel grounds. With the lively fish markets, the towns are divided by the Bentota Ganga.

The broad, sandy, gently shelving beach has calm, warm waters on two fronts- the sea where the swimming is generally safe and deep sea fishing and diving can be arranged and the River where you may try water skiing, wind surfing or take a cooling, lazy boat ride up stream and through the mangroves. Not quite “Bateau Mouche” but when did you last see a water monitor, crocodile or Kingfisher in Paris? Don't worry, water sports operate at the salt water mouth of the river and the crocs reside upstream in the fresh water!

Hotels in Srilanka : Ceylon Continental - Colombo Plaza - Colombo Hilton - Club Villa - Bentota Beach - Taj Exotica - Club Palm Garden - Confifi Beach - Riverina Resort - Tropical Villas - Hotel Kandalama - Hotel Club Dolphin - Hotel Browns Beach - Hotel Seashells - Hotel Le Kandyan - Hotel Hunas Falls - Kani Lanka Resort - Hotel Tangerine - Hotel Mermaid - Taj Airport Garden - Tea Factory - Galway Forest Lodge - Hotel Sigiriya - Coral Garden - The Village - Hotel Deer Park - Royal Lotus - The Blue Water - Yala Village - Eva Lanka - Golden Sun - Taj Exotica Bentota - Light House