Deep South

Colombo Sl
Colombo Sl
Colombo2

This broadly refers to the stretch of beach between Thalpe next to Unawatuna Bay in the west and Weligama to the east. Of course Unawatuna is a beach at Galle too. It is in fact a suburb of Galle but is best treated separately.

Thalpe is an extention of Unawatuna, with budget guesthouses and beach cabanas that are spillovers from the main beach. As one travels east, the beach is lined by a series of extremely stylish and up-market villas as well as top-end boutique hotels. Many belong to rich British expats from Singapore and Hong Kong who were among the first to purchase real estate in the emerging ‘Galle Riviera’.

Dickwella

Dickwella, also known as Dikwella and as Dikwella South, is a small coastal market town in the Matara district in Southern province of Sri Lanka. It is located 22 km (14 mi) east of the city of Matara. Dickwella is noted for its long sandy beach which is protected by headlands, reefs and sand-bars, making it safer for swimming.

Things to do

  • Beach Sports
  • Swimming
  • Water Sports

Hambantota

Hambantota town is often considered the heart of the “Deep South” of Sri Lanka. Located nearly 170 km south of Colombo, Hambantota is the main town of the district by the same name, in the Southern Province. It’s a coastal town which has seen rapid development in recent years and promoted as a second commercial hub of the country after Colombo.

Things to do

  • City Tour
  • Cycling

Kataragama

Kataragama is one of the few places in Sri Lanka which is worshipped by most of the popular religious people in Sri Lanka. According to the Buddhists, Kataragama is one of the 16 places visited by Buddha (solos maha stana) during his 3 visits to Sri Lanka. The history of Kataragama goes back to pre Christian era and both Buddhist and Hindu literature have identified this place in various ways.

Things to do

  • City Tour
  • Shopping

Mirissa

The sea off the South coast from Dondra Head is one of the best places in the world to see Blue Whales and Sperm Whales. The continental shelf is at its narrowest near Dondra Head, the southernmost point in Sri Lanka. As a result both Sperm and Blue Whales can be seen relatively close to shore. December to April are good months in which to observe whales. There is a theory that the numbers may be higher in December and April because of a migration of whales passing by during those months.

Things to do

  • Whale Watching
  • Surfing

Weligama

(meaning ‘Sandy Village’) is an interesting blend of lively fishing town and beach resort. The sprawling main settlement and coastal road is somewhat scruffy and not that easy on the eye, but you’ll find the sandy beach is attractive once you’re away from the main section; there’s a couple of cove beaches west of the center. At the east end of the beach, there’s an enormous new concrete Marriott hotel, which towers over the surrounding buildings and looks completely out of place.

Things to do

  • Surfing
  • Water Sports

Yala National Park

Yala National Park is located in the south eastern region of Sri Lanka and extends over two provinces of Hambantota district of southern province and Monaragala district in Uva province. The entrance to the park is at Palatupana, 12km from Kirinda. The distance from Colombo to the entry point of Palatupana is 305 km.

Things to do

  • Safari
  • Camping
  • Photography

Back To Top