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The island nation of Sri Lanka is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on earth. Golden beaches surround the whole island, but perhaps the most iconic beaches are situated on the south coast. The south has much more to offer than just amazing beaches though, with something to please everyone, from wildlife to history, to culture. Jetwing Kurulubedda is a great base to plan your trip around the south. The hotel is situated on the outskirts of Galle town, but it is guaranteed to be a unique experience as the hotel is nestled near a fishing village.
It’s quite lovely to think that despite being such a small country Sri Lanka is home to two of the world’s largest animals: whales and elephants. Whale watching is a popular excursion for both locals and tourists alike; you will be able to spot blue whales, sperm whales, and if you’re lucky you can catch a glimpse of a killer whale. Mirissa is the best place for whale watching on the south coast as it’s less than an hour away from Galle, and the season for it is from November-April. The best thing to do is to book a tour from a reputed tour agency. Just a warning: if you are prone to seasickness take your medicine at least an hour before you go!
While the beaches are what the south is famous for, there is plenty to do inland, one of these things is taking a river safari down the Mahamodara River. This is unique to the south as you are able to drift through the brackish waters of Sri Lanka and delve into the mangroves which are home to a number of birds and reptiles. What makes this experience even better is that Jetwing Kurulubedda is accessible by boat, which will take you through a gentle cruise along mangroves before arriving at the hotel.
Situated close to Unawatuna beach, Jungle beach is a hidden gem. A quick tuk tuk ride, a short hike through a “jungle” of sorts, and you find yourself in Jungle beach. It is set apart from the other beaches; it is never too crowded and the sea is much calmer as is within a cove. The beauty of this beach is that the jungle seems to encroach onto the golden sand, seemingly making it even more magical. There are two stands, which sell cocktails and other drinks, but there aren’t any restaurants, so it would probably be best to bring your own snacks. Nevertheless, this is one of the most idyllic beaches on the island.
Surfing is perhaps the penchant of most tourists that visit Sri Lanka. On the southern coast, and Weligama is the most popular surfing beach- especially for beginners. January – March is the best season for surfing on the south coast. For the “surfing impaired”, Weligama is host to many surfing schools which help you become a surfing pro in no time. If surfing is not your thing, you can still enjoy the sea, although it can be a little too rough to swim in, so be cautious. Weligama is also dotted with beach bars so you can sit back and enjoy the beach while sipping on a cocktail!
Food is an important part of local culture. While you may want to try everything from regular rice and curry to hoppers, you cannot leave Sri Lanka without having a kottu. Kottu fills any Sri Lankan with pride, and when you try it you’ll see why. Essentially, it is a stir-fry consisting of roti, a mixture of vegetables and it is served with a curry- normally chicken. It is spicy, delicious and unique to the island which is why you MUST try it before you leave. What is even better is the fact that some well-established hotels will offer you cookery classes allowing you to take a part of Sri Lanka home with you.
The Galle Fort is possibly the most iconic structure of the southern coast. It was initially built in 1588 by the Portuguese, but then later fortified by the Dutch. The Fort has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its rich history. Despite being nearly 500 years old, the inside of the Fort is well kept and you almost forget that you’re walking on an archaeological monument when you’re there. The Fort has withstood many things, including the 2004 Tsunami, but it remains the same. Go for lunch at the popular Pedlar’s Inn Café, and after that make sure you get to the ramparts in time for sunset, as that is truly a sight to see.
