Anastasia Smith
Spanning a fine stretch of the southern coast, Unawatuna welcomes travellers to a seaside that is one of the best the island nation has to offer. Treat yourself to a beach holiday like no other, revelling in the glories of tropical beachside Sri Lanka, which put the minuscule island on the map.
Your holiday in the beach town wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the string of picture-postcard beaches that call Unawatuna home. Spanning the city’s main stretch of beach is the eponymous Unawatuna Beach, which plays host to blissful beach days for many travellers to the city. Frolic along the golden sands, lounge under swaying palms and sip on tropical cocktails in the soothing sun, taking in the idyllic seaside aura around you.
The palm-dotted shores of Unawatuna aren’t only for restful lounging and immersive contemplation. The year-round sunshine, crystal clear waters, striking coral reefs, and schools of tropical fishes — all join forces to make Unawatuna an excellent destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. So, mask up and hit the azure waters to descend deep into the blue, where scores of fascinating oceanic wonders await your discovery. No matter whether you choose to snorkel or scuba dive, you are in for a delightful time in the world underwater.
Places to visit and things to do in Unawatuna may be plentiful, but your holiday on the teardrop island wouldn’t be complete without getting a taste of the country’s authentic local cuisine. Embark on an exploration of local cuisine at one of the finest Unawatuna hotels the likes of Araliya Beach Resort & Spa, and savour the mouth-watering blend of local flavours — an experience sure to unleash the foodie in you.
Heading southwest from Unawatuna, the neighbouring town of Galle basks in the glory of being home to one of the unmissable tourist attractions in all of Sri Lanka, the majestic Galle Dutch Fort. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed fort complex dates all the way back to the late 16th century, when it was first erected by the Portuguese. Standing tall in all its glory is the inescapable Galle Lighthouse, grabbing the eyes of everyone to the fort complex.
Head inland north of the aforementioned Unawatuna Beach to make your way to the hillside Japanese Peace Pagoda amidst dense green forest. The charming pagoda that was erected in 2005 by Japanese monks as part of a scheme to build peace temples in conflict zones has now become a popular tourist hotspot for all travellers holidaying in Unawatuna and the vicinity. Make your way up to the pagoda, where mind-blowing seaside views greet you.
