Joanna James
Located deep in the southern coast of Sri Lanka, this sleepy fishing town has some of the best beaches on the island. Apart from the beaches, there is wildlife and places of religious worship to check out!
When it comes to beaches Tangalle has some of the best on the southern coast, which are relatively deserted unlike in places like Mirissa or Unawatuna. If you would like to laze about on a secluded beach head to Tangalle. One of the best is Silent Beach, a beautiful beach with a long stretch of golden coastline. This beach is rarely crowded, so on most occasions you might get the beach to yourself. You won’t find beachside cafes here either, instead, there is a coconut tree swing to have some fun and capture some fabulous photos. This beach is just 5 minutes away from Tangalle's main town. Also worth checking out is Goyambokka Beach which is just 15 minutes away from the town.
The main beach in Tangalle commences from the main fishing station and stretches out across several fishing villages. There are jagged and protective rocks along this side of the beach, so it's not the ideal place for swimming. However, in the villages of Marakolliya and Medilla, you will encounter some pristine beaches ideal for swimming. When in Medilla, you can also come across rocky pools, which are rock formations that get filled up with water when the tide sets in. While in this area, you can also check out Pallikkudawa, another beach worth visiting. There is a bird sanctuary here with a small island which can be reached when the tide is low. If you are looking for accommodation around here the likes of Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is a good option to consider.
A visit to Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is one of the best things to do in Tangalle, the village lies 20 minutes from the main town of Tangalle. Established in 1984, it is one of the oldest in the country and lies close to Kumana Bird Sanctuary. The forest reserve is filled with mangroves, providing the ideal habitat for many flora and fauna to flourish. It is the ideal place for bird watching as there are over 150 bird species living here. Furthermore over 54 types of migratory birds visit the sanctuary. One of the most famous birds to live here is the weaver bird. You will come across its many nests throughout the reserve.
This ancient Buddhist temple lies elevated on a rock and is surrounded by four other rocks, named Bisogala, Kondagala, Benagala and Seelawathigala. Due to its rocky location, some refer it to as “little Sigiriya. The temple however has an older history than Sigiriya. You can find ancient murals, Buddha statues and architecture, showcasing a bygone era of art and architecture.
At Rekawa, another village close to Tangalle, there is a lagoon separated by a small strip of Beach. This place is ideal for canoeing with many dense mangrove forests on either side. If you love nature don’t forget to visit Rekawa, which is also the site of a famous Turtle rescue zone. Incidentally, all four endangered species visit the coastline at Rekawa, and visitors are provided with the opportunity to witness their operations or act as volunteers.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
