The Best Things To Do In Unawatuna

Unawatuna is a small town that lies around 5kms South of Galle along the Southern Highway. It is world-famous for the array of beaches that lit along its coast. It is a very popular destination among tourists for a number of decades. With its soft fine sands, it is an amazing beach to lie down on, walk on and enjoy the surf. There are plenty of bars and restaurants and hotels surrounding the town so guests are sure to find a place to their liking. There are fun activities available all around Unawatuna to keep you occupied.

Visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda

The Japanese Peace Pagoda lies on a rocky outcrop situated right across the harbor from the Galle Fort. It is built according to Japanese architecture and stands a stark contrast to the normal temples you see in Sri Lanka and will be a nice difference to experience. The view of the harbor from this vantage point is spectacular as well.

See the Stilt Fishermen trade their craft

Stilt fishing is an ancient form of fishing found in Sri Lanka. The sight of multiple fishermen at work during sunset has become iconic with Sri Lanka as much as a shot of Sigiriya. There are a number of beaches that you can find these fishermen, at dawn, dusk or even noon, whenever the fish are there. If you want you can try your hand at fishing as well.

Lounging Under the Sun

It goes without saying that Unawatuna is most famous for its white sandy beach and the gentle surf that surrounds it and it’s pretty safe to say that you will be spending a lot of time on it. There are countless spots along the stretch of Unawatuna where you can lay out a blanket, lie down and doze off. Just make sure you have sunblock ready otherwise you run the risk of getting sunburnt.

Drop Down to the Galle Fort for a Day

The Galle Fort is obviously the biggest landmark attraction in the area. Built by the Dutch in the 17^th century it sits at the entrance of the Galle Harbour. It is only about 15 mins away from Unawatuna and it is a nice getaway for a day when you want a change of pace. There are various places such as the Galle Lighthouse, the Maritime Museum, and the Dutch Church being the highlights. There are also various different restaurants and small curio & souvenir shops the litter the streets for you to enjoy.

Visit the Turtle Hatcheries

Turtle hatcheries dot the Southern coast of Sri Lanka and act as little sanctuaries for turtle eggs until they hatch and the hatchlings are ready to be introduced into the sea. The hatcheries sometimes take care of the weaker hatchlings until they are bigger in size. There are quite a few of them within a few minutes of Unawatuna and you can easily visit them and get back within a single afternoon. If you can please make a donation for the future wellbeing of these gentle giants of the sea.

Climb Down to Jungle Beach

Jungle Beach is a secret little beach that lies on the opposite side of the Galle Harbour across the Galle Fort. This beach will be a difference from the main Unawatuna beach that can get a bit crowded sometimes. Getting down to the beach can be a bit of a challenge since it lies right at the bottom of a steep incline. You can reach it by going along the road leading to the Japanese Peace Pagoda and then heading downhill at the place where the road splits. The beach below will surely look like paradise.