Unawatuna is now not just famous for being voted one of the best beaches in the world but for the timeless slogan ‘I love UNA’ which is symbolic of its popularity among tourists and locals alike. A sleepy seaside fishing village about 10 minutes south of the famous Dutch Colonial fort of Galle, Unawatuna has become the ultimate beach and party destination in Sri Lanka. Packed into the stretch of beach which is known as the Unawatuna Bay, are great restaurants, affordable and snazzy accommodation along with some equally fantastic weather. Unawatuna has become a home away from home where ayurvedic massages, lazy swims, beautiful coral reefs and a variety of fish and turtles all cohabit with each other in peace and harmony. For those in need of an escape from the chaos of work or some much needed rest and recreation Una is definitely the place to be.

Hikkaduwa is the south coast’s very own hippy beach side town. Renowned the world over for its great beach parties and lazy hammock lifestyle Hikkaduwa attracts a wide variety of people who are in search of a perfect party cum holiday getaway. Initially Hikkaduwa was a budget destination for backpackers but now budget accommodation co-exists side by side with more luxurious facilities. Aside from swimming or lazing around on the beach you can ride the glass bottom boats to catch a glimpse of the famous coral reefs, swim out to the Hikkaduwa rocks that dominate the seascape or go diving. For the fashion conscious the – Galle Road which runs through this popular town – is littered with clothes shops which make custom sized beach shorts in bright and bouncy colours. The vibrant atmosphere of this town can only be topped with some chocolate rotti which is a favoured meal be it for breakfast, dinner or just to appease your appetite.

Weligama or ‘sandy village’ – which is what the name means in the vernacular language – is a picturesque fishing village renowned for its stilt fishermen. A predominate sighting in the sea for passers by, stilt fishermen practice a unique method of fishing where they balance on 50m poles in shallow water and cast their lines out to sea. Although Weligama is a quieter tourist destination with stretches of uninhabited beaches as of recent it has become a noted surf spot with a number of famous surfing points. Its close proximity to Mirissa makes it a good place at which to relax after a couple of hours spent whale watching on the high seas. It is also the location the holiday island Taprobane, the Dondra Lighthouse built during the British Colonial era and numerous cinnamon and rubber plantations. The adventure continues with devil dancers and snake farms as well.

Mirissa offers an unforgettable coastal adventure along the southern coast of sri lanka. In addition to the characteristic appeal of a seaside resort town, mirissa offers all of its visitors the opportunity to embark on whale and dolphin watching adventures.

Voyage into the heart of the sea and witness the awe-inspiring grandeur of blue whales and the childlike friskiness of dolphins with your loved ones; create a perfect memory to cherish for a lifetime. Bring along your cameras and click away as the magnificent giants of the depths majestically part the waters.

The whale watching season in mirissa starts in the month of november and generally lasts till april. So if you happen to be travelling in the region during this time, do schedule a whale watching tour and treat yourself to this epic indulgence!

After your exciting expedition, you can go back to the town and relax at one of the many beachside restaurants and sample the sensational tastes of the paradise island. Mirissa beach, sri lanka is also home to a large number of luxury hotels and resorts so you can be pampered like royalty here. You will also find many nightclubs in the town that offer plenty of fun after the sun has set.

Sun-kissed beaches that glisten under brilliant blue skies, greet you the moment you enter the town of Bentota. Luxury resorts encircle the shoreline while the spectacularly gorgeous Indian Ocean ceaselessly ripples and crashes upon it. Albeit its fame, the little town of Bentota is a quiet one, and you will be able to look forward to hours of blissful contentment upon these pristine shores while tiny sand crabs keep you company.

While Bentota features one of the best beaches to visit in Sri Lanka, it has more than seaside delights to look forward to. The region has many popular tourist attractions too so a tour here will certainly be a richly rewarding one. The Galapota Temple which houses a large statue of Buddha is a popular attraction, as is the Paradise Island, which is a sandy strip of the Bentota Beach that runs parallel to the Bentota Lagoon. Visit the famed architect, Geoffrey Bawa’s home, Lunuganga, open to those who appreciate fine architecture and design.

Water sport fanatics will be delighted to learn that Bentota offers quite a few easy to access diving and snorkelling sites. Among these, the Canoe Rock is quite famous. The many resorts, as well as the water sports centres in the region, provide equipment and facilities needed to enjoy hours of blissful indulgence in the waters here.

If you are in love with the surpassing beauty of the golden beaches in Sri Lanka, Koggala Beach is certainly one of the places that you must consider visiting. The picturesque environs are engulfed in the timeless beauty of simplicity. While the world and all its cares rage and rave in the distance, the sleepy little town of Koggala lies, dreaming upon the golden shores that fringe the ocean’s blues.

You will be able to witness stilt fishermen when you visit and observe how they patiently wait for the ocean to render to them their living, while the golden sun browns their bare skin. The long beach here is perfect for relaxing too. Find refreshment in your glass of tropical cocktail or try out the tastes of king coconut, a local favourite! You can sample exquisite Sri Lankan food at the many restaurants and eateries that are located in and around the beach. Do try out spicy local seafood curries while you are here! Many small restaurants serve signature versions that rival epicurean delights served at high-end restaurants in the country.

Several famous tourist attractions can be reached with ease from Koggala. Places like the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex, Handunugoda Tea Estate, Sea Turtle Conversation Project and Koggala Lake can be included in your travel itinerary for a well rounded holiday experience. You can also enjoy water sports like scuba diving, snorkelling and surfing during your tour.

Captivating beaches that dazzle under the golden sun beckon you to enjoy a perfect respite in the beautiful town of tangalle. Luxury hotels have added a grand touch of elegance to the environs of this idyllic destination. Clusters of stylish seafood restaurants add the perfect flavour to the holidays spent here too.

Tangalle beach in sri lanka is an important fishing port in the country. It used to be quite active even in colonial times when it was a popular port amongst the dutch and british colonials. Many remnants of this era can be witnessed scattered across the territories of the town. If you wish to catch a glimpse of the colourful culture of the region, you can take a tour and discover beautiful old buildings that carry emblems of the colonial past. Places such as the dutch fort, court house and rest house can be included in your travel itineraries.

For nature enthusiasts, the bundala national park and udawalawe national park can be easily explored from tangalle. You can visit places like rekawa lagoon, the parewella natural swimming area and the hummanaya blow hole while exploring neighbouring destinations. The famous beaches in the region which include goyambokka beach, marakolliya beach and kudawella beach are immensely popular among tourists. If idle relaxation is what you are seeking, you can rest by the waters of the sea and soak up the golden sun while the quiet town lulls you to perfect rest!

Beruwala has the noteworthy distinction of being home to sri lanka’s first settlement of muslims and is thus an indicator of sri lanka’s pluralist and multicultural past. Nearly 60km from the capital colombo, it is one of the largest and most popular holiday resort regions in the islands. Large stretches of golden sands are fringed by coconut trees on one side and the vast indian ocean on the other side making it an idyllic holiday destination. Gems and ayurvedic massages are popular among tourists as is the kosgoda turtle hatchery further down the coast and shopping in the island’s capital colombo. A notable architectural feature in the coastal village of beruwela are the white minarets of the kechimalai mosque. Located at the northern edge of the town this mosque is considered to be the oldest mosque on record in the island and is well worth a visit.