LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS UNUWATUNA A beautiful crescent-shaped sandy beach , 5km east of Galle . Acclaimed as one of the top beaches in the world , it is about 1km long and discreetly lined with beachside guesthouses and cafés , creating a young and trendy atmosphere . People snorkel and dive the reef here and you can go out on a glass-bottom boat . It can be easily reached if you are staying in Galle or Thalpe .
THALPE 8km from Galle Fort , Thalpe has a fashionable stretch of palm-fringed golden sand . It is lined with exclusive villas and small boutique hotels which embody the influence of Geoffrey Bawa , the famous Sri Lankan architect . In season , sea turtles can be seen laying their eggs on the beach .
KOGGALA The soft sand beaches are quite narrow and dotted with stilt fishermen . Near the Fortress Hotel , there is a folk museum in the home of one of Sri Lanka ’ s most important writers of the 20th century , giving a fascinating insight into Sri Lanka ’ s folk history and rural life . North of the coast road lies the vast expanse of Koggala Lake , a haven for migratory birds . Local boat trips will usually take you to two or three of the 11 islands , one of which is a bird sanctuary . The lake serves as the departure point for the sea planes of the Sri Lankan Airlines air taxi service to / from Colombo and Bentota . Cinnamon plantations abound in the hinterland and you can visit a ‘ low country ’ tea plantation and factory where Ceylon tea and white organic tea are produced .
WELIGAMA BAY Stretching from Weligama right round to Mirissa , Weligama Bay is blessed with soft , sandy beaches . Good surfing waves attract experienced as well as first-time surfers . There are some sheltered waters for snorkelling in the calm season , and scuba-divers can enjoy discovering old shipwrecks offshore . Mirissa is the main point for deepsea fishing and whale-watching trips between December and April , when there is a good chance of sighting blue whales and spinner dolphins . The nearby Dondra lighthouse is Sri Lanka ’ s most southerly point .
TANGALLE The coastline around Tangalle is one of many long stretches of sand and hidden coves , bordering dense coconut plantations and tropical forest . It is full of the marvels of nature , such as the Hoo- Maniya Blow Hole and sea turtles that lay their eggs on the shore ( at Rekawa ). Snorkelling in the sheltered , clear waters during the calm season reveals the beauty of the sea life . Tangalle is a quaint town , with pleasant views across the coast .
THE SOUTH EASTERN NATIONAL PARKS Enjoy enthralling wildlife jeep safaris in the national parks . For something unique , we can arrange for you to stay overnight in a luxury tented camp .
UDA WALAWE NATIONAL PARK Uda Walawe is a good place to see elephants in the wild as there are up to 350 of them residing in the park . Sightings are frequent of water buffalo , grey langur monkeys and migratory birds . There is also an Elephant Transit Home supported by WWF , where you can see young elephants . Uda Walawe can be visited on a day excursion from Tangalle ( 1.5 hours drive ) or other hotels along the south coast . For something special , stay one or two nights in a luxury tented camp inside the National Park ( see our Nature and Wildlife section ), to experience the night-time sounds of the wilderness .
YALA NATIONAL PARK Yala has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world and offers one of the best chances to see them in the wild . You are likely to see elephants , sambhur , spotted deer , wild boar and occasionally sloth bear , mongoose or mugger crocodile . This is very dry terrain with little shade , bordered by a beautiful coastline and interspersed with watering holes . Yala can be visited on a day excursion from
Tangalle ( 3 hours drive ). It is advisable to stay overnight at Cinnamon Wild or Noel Rodrigo ’ s Leopard Safaris to fully enjoy the Yala experience .
BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK Bundala is a coastal wetland with shallow lagoons and is popular for bird-watching – greater flamingos ( especially in September ), babblers , bulbuls , openbilled storks , egrets , blackheaded ibis , pheasanttailed jacana , snake birds and Brahman kites . Macaques and water buffalo are frequently seen , sometimes elephants and secretive porcupines . Bundala can be visited on a day trip from Tangalle ( 2 hours drive ), or when staying at Cinnamon Wild , or en route between the Tea Country and Tangalle .
ACCOMMODATION IN A NUTSHELL
INSIDE THE RAMPARTS OF GALLE FORT Amangalla is a blend of Aman luxury and colonial splendour with a tranquil spa . The Fort Printers is a delightful , small , private hotel retaining much of its original character from an eventful past . Stylish Galle Fort Hotel occupies a 17th century Dutch Merchant ’ s house . All of these hotels provide charming settings for mouth-watering meals . Our newest addition to our collection of Galle Fort hotels is the Fort Bazaar , a renovated merchants house with a rooftop pool , picturesque central courtyard , and lively restaurant that is popular with local residents .
LOCATED ABOVE GALLE The Dutch House , on a hill above the town , is a boutique residence with just four bedrooms furnished in exquisite Dutch colonial style . The Sun House , boutique sister property to the Dutch House , offers 7 bedrooms , plenty of colonial charm and highly acclaimed cuisine .
LUXURY HOTEL BY THE BEACH The Fortress in Koggala is a superb , luxury hotel with 49 bedrooms and suites and wide-open ocean views . Highlights include first class dining , a 52-metre pool and a wonderful spa . Both the Anantara Peace Haven Resort in Tangalle , and the Shangri-La Hambantota offer an abundance of sporting , well-being , and dining facilities , with a unqiue character and beautiful beachfront location .
BOUTIQUE LUXURY BY THE BEACH The Weligama Bay Resort has 24 bedrooms , suites and bungalows in a wonderful position on the bay , good for beach activities . For something even smaller , and with a unique artistic design , stay at the 6-bedroom Casa Colombo Mirissa .
LUXURY AND PURE INDULGENCE BY THE BEACH IN THE DEEP SOUTH Relax in the tranquil luxury of Aman ’ s Amanwella near Tangalle . Its 30 suites feature private plunge pools , panoramic windows and private terraces .
BAREFOOT SECLUSION BY THE BEACH Amaloh near Tangalle is a private villa with 20 bedrooms , bordering a quiet , beautiful beach . Ideal for a group of family and friends .
LAID-BACK CHIC IN THALPE Each of these three boutique properties in Thalpe are on the beach front with a swimming pool , bookable by the room , villa or entire property . Apa Villas has 7 villa-style suites at ground level , The Frangipani Tree has 9 suites in 3 villas , with a beach spa , Era Beach has 8 bedrooms and two sea-facing pavilions for dining , lounge and bar .
SOMETHING UNIQUE TRI overlooks the waters of Koggala Lake and the jungle surrounding it , with an eco-friendly ethos and a resort map inspired by the Fibonacci Sequence . Each private villa has magnificent views , and a sense of luxury is crafted by the abundance of glass , infinity pools , and local carpentry .
A HIDDEN GEM Kahanda Kanda is a luxury countryside retreat for relaxation and romance , on the north side of Koggala Lake amidst tea plantation and tropical forest , with just 5 lavishly furnished suites .
FOR WELL-BEING Amangalla , The Fortress and Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel offer a full range of spa and Ayurveda facilities , whilst the Shangri- La Hambantota provides seriously authentic Ayurveda treatments in a stunning above-water location .
FOR HONEYMOONS AND WEDDINGS Stay at The Fortress or Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel on your honeymoon and enjoy their offers of extra special treats . Weddings can be arranged at Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel , The Fortress and Amangalla .
CLIMATE The average temperature on the south coast is 32C . It is cooler and more humid in the west , getting hotter and less humid the further east you go . The evenings are a little cooler and the coasts enjoy sea breezes . Rainfall is experienced mainly during the south-west monsoon from May to August . The ‘ calm ’ season is December to April , when the seas are generally calm and there is little rainfall . There are still undercurrents and riptides outside of the monsoons .
DRIVING DISTANCES Colombo International Airport to Galle 3 hours ( 150km ). Colombo International Airport to Koggala 3.5 hours ( 165km ). Colombo International Airport to Tangalle 5 hours ( 230km ). Galle to Weligama 30-40 minutes ( 25km ). Galle to Tangalle 2 hours ( 80km ) Galle to Yala 4 hours ( 180km ). Nuwara Eliya to Tangalle 5 hours ( 210km ).
GETTING THERE BY AIR A new Sri Lankan Airlines air taxi service ( sea plane ) operates daily between Colombo airport , Bentota and Koggala . Private helicopter charter transfers can also be arranged .
Galle coastline at sunset
The Frangipani Tree at Thalpe
FOR EXPERT ADVICE AND TO MAKE A RESERVATION CALL OUR TRAVEL CONSULTANTS ON 01392 441224 79