Sri Lanka South Coast: Your Complete Guide

Sri Lanka’s South Coast is a paradise for travellers seeking a blend of pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant local life. Stretching from the historic city of Galle to the serene shores of Tangalle, whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, a history buff, or someone looking to unwind by the ocean, the Sri Lanka South Coast has something to offer.

My stint with Sri Lanka south coast happened in the winter of 2023 when I went on an epic 28 day road trip around Sri Lanka, self driving a tuktuk! The south coast was my last stop and I spent a solid chunk of these 28 days exploring the different towns, beaches, surf scene and more.

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Unawatuna Sri Lanka south coast is home to many shipwreck scuba diving opportunities, while Mirissa is famed for whale watching and beachfront bars and restaurants. For those looking for quieter, more secluded spots, the tranquil sands of Tangalle and Talalla provide the perfect escape.

Beyond the beaches, the Sri Lanka South Coast is also steeped in history and culture. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Galle Fort is a must-visit, with its colonial architecture, narrow streets, and vibrant arts scene. The Sri Lanka South Coast is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Yala and Udawalawe National Parks are within easy reach, offering the chance to see elephants, leopards, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitats.

Sri Lanka South Coast offers accommodations to suit every budget including luxury resorts to budget friendly local guest houses. This guide to Sri Lanka south coast begins at Bentota (the best resort area in Sri Lanka) and follows the coastline down south through Galle and Mirissa before finally ending at Tangalle. There are 10 towns total that we will talk about in this Sri Lanka south coast guide.

Best Places to Visit on the Sri Lanka South Coast

Bentota

Sahana Kulur of Vacaywork says:

Bentota, located on the Sri Lanka South Coast, is a famous resort town. Typical of most beaches in the country, Bentota boasts a beautiful coastline lined with coconut trees. However, two things make Bentota and its beach stand out from the rest: the paramotoring and the beach resorts!

Bentota is the only place on the Sri Lanka South Coast where you can do paramotoring! Flying like a bird without much effort, your pilot handles everything while you sit and enjoy the Indian Ocean coastline dotted with coconut groves and stunning beach resorts near Galle. It is one of the most unique experiences on your South Sri Lanka itinerary.

Bentota is also best known for some of the best hotels in Sri Lanka south coast, designed by Sri Lanka’s famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. These resorts let you truly feel the traditional Sri Lankan architect’s inside-outside concept, filled with temple trees and open-concept rooms.

Things to do in Bentota:

👉 River safari for crocodiles, monkeys, mangroves and more
👉 Guided Bentota village safari by tuktuk
👉 Geoffrey Bawa Architecture Tour
👉 Traditional Sri Lankan cooking class
👉 Two hour Ayurveda treatment package
👉 Yala and Udawalawa National Park safari day trip
👉 Sinharaja Rainforest day trip

Hotels in Bentota:

👉 Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection
👉 Thaala Bentota by Geoffery Bawa
👉 Aayu’s Guest

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is a Sri Lanka south coast beach town that was surprisingly bigger than I had anticipated. There are two parts of this big town divided by a bridge over a small stream of freshwater meeting the sea. On the one side it is super commercial and touristy with Sri Lanka south coast hotels, restaurants and what have you nots. On the other hand, it has a very back in time vibe with old houses and shops that remind of you of true, rural Sri Lanka.

It is interesting to see these two contrasting sides coexist. But it also gives the town a unique perspective and the best of both worlds I guess. Hikkaduwa Bay is also great for scuba diving and snorkelling south coast Sri Lanka. For a touch of culture, the Tsunami Museum and the Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya temple are interesting visits.

Things to do in Hikkaduwa:

👉 Snorkelling in Hikkaduwa
👉 Scuba diving in Hikkaduwa

Hotels in Hikkaduwa:

👉 Nico Beach Hotel
👉 Mirage Beach House at Morava Court
👉 Hikka Sandy Pearl Beach Resort

Galle

I was in Galle only for a couple of hours gorging on some Island Gelato and walking around the Galle Dutch Fort and immediately wished I had more time to spend there. This stopover was on the last day of my south coast Sri Lanka itinerary, while I was driving back to Colombo on my epic 28-day road trip on a tuktuk.

It was fun walking through old colonial streets and the views from the top of the fort are incredible. The UNESCO-listed fort is a masterpiece of colonial architecture, with cobbled streets, ancient ramparts, and boutique shops and art galleries and museums. It’s a lot different from the rest of the Sri Lanka south coast towns with a big city vibe with lots of history and definitely worth spending a night or two here.

Things to do in Galle:

👉 Galle Fort walking tour
👉 Traditional jewellery making workshop
👉 Dutch Market vegetable shopping + cooking class

Hotels in Galle:

👉 The Dutch Bungalow
👉 Sirène Galle Fort
👉 Windy Garden
👉 Sheyyes Hostel

Unawatuna

I came to Unawatuna for the palm rope swings and swimming with turtles at Dalawela Beach. But right off the bat, I could see this Sri Lanka south coast town is famous for its scuba diving, thanks to its scuba diving centres every few meters! Later, I learned it has some great shipwrecks worth checking out which I’ve filed away for my next visit!

Melissa Kruse of Mountains & Mahals says:

If you’re in Sri Lanka for the famous Kandy to Ella train journey, don’t miss the gems along the Sri Lanka South Coast. Unawatuna is one of the most chill Sri Lanka south coast places.

Be sure to spend an afternoon at Jungle Beach, a secluded spot just a short walk through some jungle (hence the name!). It is perfect for swimming in calmer waters as it doesn’t have the waves that surfers are seeking just a bit further down the coastline.

Another cool spot is the Dream Cabana Resort, worth stopping by for its epic rope swing that hangs from a large palm tree extending over the beach. Enjoy beers at their beach shack and take a couple of turns on the rope swing!

Things to do in Unawatuna:

👉 Snorkelling in Unawatuna Bay
👉 Scuba diving in Unawatuna Bay
👉 2 hour surf lesson
👉 2 hour canoeing trip at Unawatuna Lagoon
👉 3 hour Sri Lankan cooking class

Hotels in Unawatuna:

👉 The Frangipani Tree by Edwards Collection
👉 Araliya Beach Resort and Spa
👉 Dharma Place
👉 Nooit Gedacht Heritage Hotel (Original Dutch Governors House)

Ahangama

The vibe of Ahangama is unmistakably surf-yoga-digital nomad-vegan cafe type which I love! It’s great for morning yoga sessions, followed by surfing and then great food at many of its chic cafes. Just my kind of vibe.

Ahangama attracts surfers from around the world, with its consistent waves and less crowded breaks compared to nearby areas like Weligama and Hiriketiya. The town is also famous for its traditional stilt fishermen, who can be seen balancing on poles above the waves.

Things to do in Ahangama:

👉 Hands-on stilt fishing experience with Ahangama villagers + lunch included

Hotels in Ahangama:

👉 Tri by Amaya
👉 Stuthi Villa
👉 Surf Station
👉 Guruge Guesthouse

Weligama

Weligama on the Sri Lanka south coast has one claim to fame: the epic Weligama Bay surfing that has perfect waves for beginner level surfers. This is actually where my surfing journey started as well, before moving on to surfing in Mulki in India.

While I didn’t stay in Weligama, I was coming here from Mirissa every other day for surf lessons. I also really enjoyed gorging on Island Gelato post surf and attending some epic parties. There’s also a beach restaurant and guest house called Cheeky Monkey, Midigama that I frequently went to and loved!

Another interesting place off the coast of Weligama is Taprobane Island, the only private island in Sri Lanka which has been turned into a resort. It is only accessible by wading through the shallow waters from Weligama!

Things to do in Weligama:

👉 Personalized 90 minute surf lesson
👉 Galle day trip
👉 Sri Lanka south coast highlights day trip with 6 stops

Hotels in Weligama:

👉 Malabar Hill
👉 Lion’s Rest
👉 Weligama Ocean Breeze
👉 Sasmika Villa Surf and Yoga Hostel

Mirissa

Mirissa Sri Lanka south coast is perhaps the most popular town to visit on the Sri Lanka south coast. It’s a vibrant town with a lot going on here: stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, whale watching, great cafes and a lot more to energize you on your Sri Lanka south coast itinerary.

The crescent-shaped small beach in front of Petti Petti is perfect for swimming and relaxing under swaying palm trees. I spent so much time there! Hiking up Coconut Tree Hill at sunset is incredible. But to escape crowds, you’ll want to check out Parrot Rock instead. For an epic Mirissa party, you of course want to hit up the super popular Doctor House, one of the most attractive places in Matara.

For your stay, I highly recommend Green Jade Inn. The owner is an incredibly kind old man who goes above and beyond to make your stay memorable. Also, double rooms are for $10, a 5 minute walk from the beach and market so what more could you need!

The whale watching was fun, we got to see the blue whale, Bryde’s whale and sperm whale. But it’s good to know that a boat usually carries around 50 tourists and the whales are usually very far away (the way they should be). Surfing in Mirissa is difficult for beginners as the waves on Mirissa Beach are way too strong.

Things to do in Mirissa:

👉 Whale watching with transfers and breakfast included
👉 Snorkelling with turtles
👉 Scuba diving in Mirissa
👉 3 hour cycling trip around Mirissa

Hotels in Mirissa:

👉 D Canal House
👉 Handagedara Resort and Spa
👉 Sun Bird Eco Guesthouse

Talalla

I stumbled upon Talalla unknowingly, just for a dinner stop because I was super hungry after a beach day on one of the beaches of south coast of Sri Lanka, going back to my hotel in Mirissa. But it was such a chance encounter, I found a small peaceful beach great for swimming and barely any tourists around.

Talalla feels like the perfect place to go to escape the crowds that are otherwise hard to escape in the popular spots of Sri Lanka south coast.

Ossama Alnuwaiser of Awesome Traveler says:

Talalla is a beach town worth visiting on the Sri Lanka South Coast. Talalla Beach is the main attraction here, surrounded by palm groves and green vegetation. Some of the common activities are surfing and horseback riding on the beach.

You can stay in Talalla Retreat and enjoy a luxurious stay. At the resort, you can book surfing lessons, yoga classes, or full spa service. You can also take advantage of their amenities, such as an outdoor pool, restaurant, bar, and much more.

I would recommend you to eat at Funny Banana Restaurant Café as it offers not only fresh delicious food, but also a panoramic view of Talalla Beach. Their Kutto is made of buckwheat flour and is something you do not want to miss.

Hotels in Talalla:

👉 Talalla Freedom Retreat
👉 Subhasha Summer House
👉 Talalla Bay Beach Hotel

Dikwella and Hiriketiya Beach

Niki of Travelnania says:

Dikwella is a small coastal town on the Sri Lanka South Coast that’s well worth a visit. Its highlight is the picturesque and surf-friendly Hiriketiya Beach, also known as Hiri. In Dickwella and Hiriketiya, you’ll find trendy hotels, coworking spaces like Verse Collective, and healthy food spots. We particularly enjoyed Malu Poke, where you can create your own poke and smoothie bowls. The area has also become a hotspot for surfers, digital nomads, and travellers seeking laid-back vibes.

Learning to surf at Hiriketiya Beach offering beginner-friendly waves is not only the top activity in Dickwella, but also one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka. You can take a surf lesson for about 10 euros or rent a surfboard for 2 euros right on the beach. Don’t miss the stunning sunsets on Hiriketiya Beach, where you’ll also find plenty of bars and places to relax.

You can also enjoy yoga sessions at Salt House or Dots Bay House and rent a scooter to explore the coast and nearby beaches. We visited Turtle Point, just 5 minutes from Dickwella, to observe wild sea turtles at the beach, which was an amazing experience. Only 30 minutes away, we also explored the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka at Dondra Lighthouse, a beautiful white tower surrounded by palm trees.

Hotels in Dikwella:

👉 La Playa Beach Club
👉 Seaview Clay House
👉 The Village Home

Tangalle

Tangalle was the town where I spent a lot of my time on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It is a sleepy little beach town, where not a lot of tourists end up and that’s why it was just right for me. It was also the first time I hit the coast after starting on my 28 day road trip driving a tuktuk in Sri Lanka so it was all the more special.

I had the best seafood in all of Sri Lanka in Tangalle at Cactus Lounge by the beach, had a lazy sunning day at Goymbokka Beach, visited the incredible Mulkirigala Rock Temple, went kayaking in the Tangalle Lagoon and just took it slow and enjoyed many “do-nothing” type of days that can be done in Tangalle.

Tangalle is also the southern most beach town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, making it the perfect place to go on a national park safari day trip.

Things to do in Tangalle:

👉 Tangalle sightseeing tour with 4 stops
👉 Sri Lankan rice and curry cooking class
👉 Udawalawe safari day trip
👉 4 hour cycling trip around Tangalle

Hotels in Tangalle:

👉 Turtle Bay Boutique Hotel
👉 Palm Paradise Cabanas and Villas Beach Resort
👉 Anama by Queens Mount
👉 Mermaid Cabana and Tree Houses

Sri Lanka South Coast FAQs

Which coast of Sri Lanka is best?

The “best” coast of Sri Lanka depends on what you’re looking for in your travel experience. The Sri Lanka South Coast is popular for its stunning beaches, colonial history (Galle Fort), and parties in vibrant towns like Mirissa and beginner friendly Sri Lanka south coast surf at Hiriketiya and Weligama. It’s a great choice for those who want a mix of relaxation, cultural exploration, and adventure.

The East Coast is less developed and offers pristine, uncrowded beaches. It’s ideal for surfers (especially Arugam Bay) and those looking for a quieter, more laid-back vibe. Trincomalee is great for scuba diving and Pigeon Rock is for snorkelling.

When should I go to Sri Lanka’s south coast?

Sri Lanka has two monsoons: half the year on the northeast coast (Maha monsoon) and half the year on the southwest coast (Yala monsoon). The best time to visit Sri Lanka’s South Coast is during the dry season, which runs from December to March. During this time, the Sri Lanka south coast weather is most ideal for going around.

Which is the best beach on Sri Lanka’s south coast?

The South Coast of Sri Lanka boasts several beautiful beaches, each offering its own unique appeal. The “best” Sri Lanka south coast beaches depend on what you’re looking for in your experience. Unawatuna‘s crescent-shaped beach is famous for its palm tree swings, Mirissa has some great beaches with bars and restaurants and calm waters to swim, Tangalle Beach is a long, sandy beach perfect for long walks, Hiriketiya Beach, also known as “Hiri,” is a small, horseshoe-shaped bay that’s become popular with surfers and travelers seeking a hip, bohemian vibe and Weligama Beach is perfect for beginner surfing in Sri Lanka south coast due to its gentle waves.

Is Sri Lanka cheap for tourists?

Yes, Sri Lanka is generally considered a budget-friendly destination for tourists, offering good value for money. The country is known for cheap eats, affordable luxury and cheap, well connected public transport.

Where to stay on the south coast of Sri Lanka?

The South Coast of Sri Lanka offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts. For the best places to stay on Sri Lanka south coast, you’ll want to stay in Galle for its colonial bungalows, in Bentota for Sri Lanka south coast hotels designed by Geoffery Bawa, in Mirissa for parties and great nightlife, Tangalle for tranquillity and nature and in Hiriketiya for a surf and yoga holiday.

Which one is better, Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa?

Unawatuna is known for its more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. The beach is smaller and has a more intimate feel, making it ideal for those looking to unwind. It’s popular with both backpackers and families. It’s also close to Galle, where you can visit the historic Galle Fort. Snorkelling and diving are available, but the coral reefs aren’t as vibrant as those in Hikkaduwa.

Hikkaduwa on the other hand, has a livelier and more energetic atmosphere, making it popular with younger travellers and surfers. It’s a bit more commercialized, with a wider range of bars, restaurants, and shops. It also has great snorkelling, diving, and surfing opportunities.