Keeping yourself occupied in Tangalle, Sri Lanka – the perfect holiday escape

Located in the Hambanthota District on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Tangalle is a popular beach destination for the tourists who look for a hideout away from the busy city life. Tangalle has a few well-known beaches including Goyambokka and Pallikkudawa on the western side and Rekawa, Medaketiya, and Marakolliya. The area has many lodges and boutique hotels close to the beach such as the Ranna Beach Villa. It is easy to access the beach from one of these places, and you will find it unspoiled and well maintained. Not many people gather on the beaches at the same time, so you have enough privacy and good opportunity to relax.

The Tangalle Bay lined with a beautiful reef makes a fine spot for swimming and surfing. The waves in this area are hardly affected by the blowing wind as they are partly protected by the Golden Rock or the projecting rock from one side. The monsoon season from November to April is more favourable for surfing as you will come across some bigger waves during this period. Water sports like scuba diving and snorkelling are not rare, and there are many interesting dive sites with some shipwrecks, coral tunnels, and caves. The rich marine life including a range of species like lionfish, octopus, lobsters, and angelfish adds to the excitement.

There are seven known sea turtle species around the world and the beaches of Sri Lanka have the privilege of attracting five of them. There is an on-going Turtle Conservation Project on the Rekawa Beach in Tangalle, which takes care of the eggs laid by nesting turtles in the natural environment until they are hatched and young turtles dive into the sea. It is fascinating to watch the amazing creatures like giant leatherbacks crawl on to the Rekawa beach at night to lay their eggs. The main season is from April to July. If you are watching the sea turtles, it is very important to be mindful so as not to disturb the creatures by actions such as flash photography.

Some of the most famous wildlife parks in Southern Sri Lanka such as the Yala National Park and Bundala National Park are very close to Tangalle area. You can reach the Yala National Park within a 1.5 hr drive from Tangalle, and the Bundala Park within 40 minutes. The Udawalawa elephant orphanage is also worth a visit. Apart from the wildlife parks, the Wevurukannala Buddha statue, Dondra Vishnu Temple, and the Hoo-mania blowhole are among the best places to visit in Tangalle.

Last but not least you will not satisfy your travellers' soul to the fullest if you do not enjoy the delicious and mouth-watering seafood dishes offered in Tangalle restaurants. The choice of seafood runs from freshly caught fish, prawns, crabs, up to lobsters and any other favourites you can think of. Even at a local eatery, you can find these seafood dishes at a fair price.