South Coast
Sri Lanka’s cove-like south coast, which is a long stretch from Weligama to Kelamitiya, consists of delightful coral-protected bays and headlands and offers a greater diversity of beaches than the west coast. Stunning tropical sandy beaches, rural fishing villages, untouched wilderness and a vibrant cultural heritage makes the southern coastal belt an ideal holiday experience for those wishing to escape the larger tourist centres and enjoy a long-stay beach experience.
Weather
Traditionally, the best time to visit the south coast is from December to April, with similar weather patterns to the Galle Coast. Between May and September, however, travel east beyond Galle along the south coast and you can be rewarded with more settled weather than further west. Sri Lanka is affected by two monsoons which generally means that there is good weather somewhere. October to mid-December can see heavy rain brought in by the north-east monsoon, with the south-west monsoon bringing heaviest downpours from mid-April to mid-June. There is also an unsettled inter-monsoonal period in October.
Getting There
The south coast towns can be easily reached by heading directly south past Uda Walawe game park or from the bottom of the west coast motorway near Matara. The southern railway can also take you from Colombo as far as Matara (second-class seats only). Air Taxis provide air transfers from Colombo to Dickwella. Hambantota Airport, based 18kms from the town in Mattala, also offers transfers from Colombo’s international airport.
Secrets of Cinnamon
The fragrant spice cinnamon, over which many a war has been fought, is a treasured commodity that has even been mentioned in religious books of old. Today there are a few varieties of cinnamon, but Ceylon Cinnamon or true cinnamon, is the much sought after specimen.
Watch the technique of peeling and you could even find out if you’ve got a hidden talent yourself! Learn about the benefit of these cigar shaped golden brown quills, how they are graded and the positive impact of the industry on the community. Savour a cup of tea in the Ambalama at the top, while enjoying gorgeous views. If you wish, you could even add on a tea tasting experience to end the experience, but note that this needs to be notified in advance.
Duration: 2 hours
Best time: Year-round
Rekawa Turtle Watch
The Rekawa Turtle Watch is a marine turtle conservation project which aims to protect the turtles’ nesting sites and ensure that the eggs can hatch safely. Visitors can go on ‘turtle watch’ any evening of the year, where the volunteers from the centre lead groups to the beach between 8:30pm and 11:30pm where you can watch the turtles laying eggs or returning to the sea. Waiting for turtles to appear can take a couple of hours, so patience is required. During the high season (April – July),5-15 turtles appear each night, whereas during the low season (October – January) it is approximately 1-2. There is no guarantee that you will see a turtle, although sightings occur most nights of the year.
Duration: 3 hours
Best Time: April to July
Whale Watching in Mirissa
Go whale watching in Sri Lanka, acclaimed as one of the best places in the world to see whales. Spot dolphins, sperm whales and blue whales near Mirissa. The island’s shoreline lies unusually close to the continental shelf, the point when the ocean floor drops dramatically and where larger marine life is found, and so it does not take too long to reach these deep waters from Sri Lanka’s western, southern and eastern coastlines. Whale and dolphin watching is possible from Kalpitiya, Bentota and Mirissa between December and April, and from Trincomalee and Pasikudah on the east coast between June and August, but Mirissa is widely thought of as the best place for whale watching in Sri Lanka.
Duration: 4 hours
Best Time: November to April
Surf Lessons in Weligama
Whether you are a beginner or seeking to develop your skills, you can have bags of enjoyment in a relaxed and convivial setting.
There has been an increase in simple surf schools lying among the palm trees of Weligama Bay and Red Dot will ensure you don’t have to rely on guesswork to get the best attention.
Weligama Bay is one of Sri Lanka’s finest, so enchanting that you will imagine you can become a champion surfer in no time.
Start with a board walk-through and learn about basic safety procedures while still safely on sand. Once you are ready, you will go with your dedicated instructor into the waves and discover whether you have what it takes to ride the waves.
Duration: 2 hours
Best Time: December to April
Mulgirigala Rock Temple
According to ancient inscriptions carved on the rock, Mulgirigala – also known as Mulkirigala – dates back almost 2,000 years when it was a site of a Buddhist monastery. This is a living temple that is visited by many devotees; nearby there is a Buddhist school for young monks.
Clamber up around 500 steps to reach the summit where a serene white dagoba sits in residence and you can soak up magnificent coastal views from the top of the crag. The temple complex consists of ancient murals, a recumbent Buddha statue, devalayas (or idol houses) and seven cave temples cleft into the rock at five different levels while ascending via steep, well-maintained steps.
As well as the Buddha statues there are some equally intriguing wall paintings which warn earthly sinners of an afterlife of eternal torture.
Duration: 2 hours
Best Time: Year-round
