An essential guide to Unawatuna, Sri Lanka’s backpacker beach town, featuring the very best things to do in Unawatuna, including Dalawella beach, a day trip to Galle and the iconic Stilt Fishermen.
Unawatuna has quickly become a fixture for travellers that visit Sri Lanka’s lively south coast, and after experiencing the laidback backpacker town myself, it’s easy to understand why.
The trendy town has no shortage of palm-fringed beaches, including Unawatuna beach, jungle beach and my personal favourite, Dalawella beach. Therefore it’s not surprising that Unawatuna is considered the most popular beach destination in Sri Lanka.
But it isn’t just the paradisiac beaches that make Unawatuna an essential stop in your Sri Lanka Itinerary.
No, the beach town has heaps of entertaining activities, a great amount of trendy cafes & restaurants, and makes the perfect base for a day trip to Galle.
It’s safe to say that Unawatuna has something that suits every travel taste, which makes it a great town to spend a couple of days in.
That being said, here’s my guide with the very best things to do in Unawatuna – plus essential travel tips that help you get the most out of your adventures.
10 INCREDIBLE THINGS TO DO IN UNAWATUNA, SRI LANKA
10 INCREDIBLE THINGS TO DO IN UNAWATUNA, SRI LANKA
1 | VISIT DALAWELLA BEACH
Just south of Unawatuna’s bustling main beach lies Dalawella Beach, one of my favourite beaches and probably the most famous and picturesque stretch of beach you’ll find in Sri Lanka.
With an incredible scenic rock formation, a thrilling beach swing, and an abundance of low bending palm trees, Dalawella Beach has become a picture-perfect hotspot in Sri Lanka.
If you’re into serious photography, it’s best to visit the palm swing early morning or during sunset. It is quite busy here all day, especially after it went viral on Instagram.
The palm tree swing is located at the Dream Cabana guesthouse and costs 500 LKR ($2.75) for 3-5 rope swings.
While it isn’t just the trendy palm tree swing that makes Dalawella beach so popular, it is quite entertaining and surely one of the best things to do in Unawatuna.
Besides these trendy points of interest, Dalawella beach is fairly quiet compared to Unawatuna beach making it perfect for an early morning stroll, a refreshing dive and an afternoon of sunbathing.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Dalawella Beach, Unawatuna
2 | LEARN TO SURF IN UNAWATUNA
Although Unawatuna isn’t my favourite place to surf on Sri Lanka’s vibrant south coast, there is a beach that offers excellent waves for beginners that wish to learn the basics.
Bona Vista Bay is a small beginner-friendly beach that is located between Unawatuna and Galle. On both the beach and in the town, you’ll find surf schools that provide great instructors and board rental.
Anyhow, if you’re eager to catch the best possible waves while in Sri Lanka, I deeply recommend heading towards Hikkaduwa, Mirissa (Weligama), or Arugam bay. These coastal towns are considered some of the best surfing destinations on the island, and that’s for a good reason.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Bona Vista Bay, Unawatuna
Surf lesson | 2.000 – 3.000 LKR, ($11 – 16) per hour
Board rental | 300 – 500 LKR, ($1.65 – 2.75) per hour
3 | ADMIRE THE VIEWS FROM THE JAPANESE PEACE PAGODA
Established in a verdant forest above Unawatuna’s secluded jungle beach lies the Japanese Peace Pagoda, a round stupa that serves as a beacon of peace for people all over the world.
The Pagoda was built by the Japanese Mahayana Sect monks with the intention to unite people of all cultures and religions, and the minimal design radiates this in an elegant way.
Since it’s perched on the top of Rumasalla Hill, the views over Galle bay and the Historic Galle Fort are simply amazing. For that reason, it has become one of the best things to do in Unawatuna, especially if you visit during sunset.
As always, keep in mind to visit the pagoda in a respectful manner and adhere to the religious customs.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Japanese Peace Pagoda
4 | HAVE BRUNCH AT SKINNY TOM’S DELI
Let me get straight to the point, Skinny Tom’s Deli serves the best brunch in town, period.
The European-style café has a great reputation at Sri Lanka’s southern coast, which makes perfect sense given the excellent variety of both Sri Lankan and international brunch options.
Dishes that are definitely worth trying include their life-changing bacon, dhal & egg hoppers, fresh eggs benedict toast, and if you’re a sweet tooth, don’t forget to give their artisanal cake and dessert options a try.
They also serve exceptional coffee, fresh-pressed juices and handcrafted soda & shrubs, which are all too tasteful to pass up on.
Skinny Tom’s Deli has a high reputation in Unawatuna, and I think you should visit at least once. If that’s the case, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll visit again.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Skinny Tom’s Deli
Opening Hours | Daily 07:30 – 15:30
5 | CHILL AND RELAX AT JUNGLE BEACH
Slightly off the beaten path lies Jungle beach, a secluded stretch of beach that is considerably quiet compared to Unawatuna’s lively main beach.
When I heard of Jungle beach from a fellow traveller, the beach immediately piqued my interest, and once I arrived in Unawatuna I decided to give it a visit.
After a 30-minute hike through the jungle, I set foot on Jungle beach’s first beach, which was surprisingly crowded. And so I quickly realised that the ‘hidden’ beach had become extremely popular to both tourist and local alike.
There is however a second more tucked-away beach, which is still pretty quiet and characterized by a charming tropical ambience. This one is also home to a small beach bar and is perfect for an afternoon of swimming and relaxing.
While Jungle beach is pretty similar to Secret beach in Mirissa, it’s definitely worth a visit when you’re in Unawatuna.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Jungle Beach Unawatuna
6 | A DAY TRIP TO GALLE FORT
Perched on the cliffs of Sri Lanka’s spirited south coast, is the historic Galle Fort.
Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed by the Dutch in 1663, and taking a stroll along the narrow, authentic streets evokes the feeling of being in the VOC era.
The charm that defines the Galle Fort area today is realized by crumbling Dutch colonial buildings, trendy contemporary cafés, and an inviting, tropical atmosphere.
The historical fort area houses a bunch of breathtaking points of interest; the famous Galle Lighthouse, Dutch Reformed Church, the subliminal interior, and the fort’s firm outer ramparts, just to mention a few.
The Galle Fort has an incredibly rich history, and if you ask me, it’s one of the things that shouldn’t be missed in your Sri Lanka itinerary. Galle makes a perfect day trip for those that are keen to explore the Fort.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Galle Fort
7 | VISIT THE SEA TURTLE HATCHERY IN HABARADUWA
Sri Lanka is known as the habitat of five distinct species of sea turtles, including Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherhead turtles.
Although turtle hatcheries often have a bad reputation, the sea turtle hatchery in Habaraduwa looked as if they genuinely care about the conservation of turtles.
The Habaraduwa turtle hatchery is a non-profit organisation that focuses on the conservation and protection of turtles that are endangered by extinction.
The caring people at the hatchery do their utmost to rescue and care for injured turtles, while also buying eggs of poachers to hatch and protect them from any danger.
After hatching, the baby turtles are supposed to be released in the ocean within four days, which creates the possibility for travellers to release one, which is an amazing experience.
Although we never know for sure, it seemed that the sea turtle hatchery in Habaraduwa is a responsible and ethical organisation.
In the end, it’s up to you if you choose to visit a turtle hatchery in Sri Lanka.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Sea Turtle Hatchery Habaraduwa
Cost | 500 LKR, ($2.75) entrance fee per person
Opening hours | Daily 07:30 – 18:00
8 | SWIM AND UNWIND AT UNAWATUNA BEACH
Unawatuna beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka, and therefore favourite among locals and travellers alike.
Despite that it’s quite touristic, the wide stretched beach is still perfect for an afternoon of swimming, relaxing and sunset drinks.
The beach at Unawatuna offers a handful of spots that are great for swimming and a large stretch of the beach houses vibrant beach bars that provide sunbeds that are up for rent.
Since the beach connects perfectly with the vibrant main street of Unawatuna, it houses many trendy restaurants and bars, which ensures a laidback backpacker vibe throughout the entire town.
If being idle isn’t for you, take a relaxing walk to the Pagoda up north, which provides a stunning view over Unawatuna’s golden sanded coastline.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Unawatuna Beach
9 | HAVE DINNER AT BEDSPACE KITCHEN
Tucked away in an elegant garden of calm at only a stone’s throw away from Unawatuna’s lively main road lies Bedspace Kitchen, a trendy fusion restaurant that serves the most excellent local and western dishes.
Their menu consists of a wide variety of top-notch dishes, including black pork curry, coconut lemon-grass soup, the Bedspace burger (which was extremely yum), and the pumpkin gnocchi, to mention a few.
But what appealed to me even more, was the fact that most of the used ingredients at Bedspace are organic and local produce, which is directly related to the help and support of the local community.
Although the food is slightly higher priced than elsewhere in Sri Lanka, Bedspace won’t disappoint and it’s definitely worth the splurge.
That said, it is wise to book ahead, as it is a wildly popular eatery.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Bedspace Kitchen
Opening Hours | Daily 12:00 – 16:00 and 18:00 – 22:00
10 | ADMIRE THE ICONIC STILT FISHERMEN IN KOGGALA
Stilt fishing is an iconic phenomenon that occurs along Sri Lanka’s entire southern coastline.
These groups of traditional fishermen sit far from the shore atop of a creatively composed seat made of a pole, branches and twine, waiting to reel in their catch of the day.
Even though the stilt fishermen make it look effortless, it requires a great amount of skill, balance and most importantly, patience.
Unfortunately, the tradition slowly fades away, with the sad knowledge that it may well entirely disappear in the near future.
After the tsunami that hit Sri Lanka in 2004, much of the coastline has been irreparably harmed, which largely reduced the possibility to execute this authentic fishing technique.
As a result, many authentic stilt fishermen rent their stilts to men that pose as a fisherman, with the goal to earn a living as a tourist attraction, which makes perfect sense if you ask me.
This traditional, yet extraordinary fishing technique is a tremendous element in Sri Lanka’s rich culture, and for that reason, not to be missed.
THE ESSENTIALS
Where | Stilt Fisherman in Koggala
Cost | 500 LKR, ($2.75) per person
When | Daily 05:30 – 19:30
How to get there | Only 10 minutes north of Unawatuna and hard to miss if you take a scooter or tuk tuk ride along the coastline of Unawatuna and Mirissa.
UNAWATUNA | TRAVEL ESSENTIALS AND TIPS
UNAWATUNA | TRAVEL ESSENTIALS AND TIPS
WHERE TO STAY IN UNAWATUNA
Unawatuna is one of the most popular beach destinations in Sri Lanka, which automatically comes with a great number of good accommodations.
Due to its popularity, it can be quite a challenge to find accommodation that matches your travel style, prices are also slightly higher than you’re used to in Sri Lanka.
If you’re planning to visit Unawatuna during high season, I recommend booking your accommodation a couple of weeks in advance.
Some of the accommodations I recommend include:
Epic Unawatuna | A rustic hotel that is influenced by Dutch colonial architecture. Offers spacious rooms with air-conditioning and a comfortable bed – plus extremely friendly staff and at only a few steps away from Unawatuna beach.
Bedspace Beach | A cosy apartment almost directly at Unawatuna’s palm-fringed beach. Situated above the famous Skinny Tom’s Deli Cafe that serves the exceptional breakfast that’s included with the room. For that reason alone, it’s one of the best picks along the coast of Unawatuna.
Cantaloupe Levels | If you’re after a bit more luxury, Cantaloupe Levels offers stunning views overlooking Galle bay, classic Sri Lankan-style rooms, and a great swimming pool. It’s also located only a stone’s throw from Unawatuna’s secluded Jungle beach.
Kingfisher Unawatuna | An attractive beachfront hotel that offers spacious air-conditioned rooms, large comfortable beds and a quiet stretch of beach that is excellent for swimming. Kingfisher also has a great in-house restaurant that serves top-notch seafood.
Alternatively, search for accommodations in Unawatuna on booking.com.
WEATHER IN UNAWATUNA | BEST TIME TO VISIT UNAWATUNA
The best time to visit Unawatuna is from October to April with February – April as its absolute peak months. Unawatuna is significantly crowded during this period though, which makes great sense given the excellent circumstances to explore the town’s beautiful surroundings.
Even though Unawatuna has great weather year-round, it is completely common to experience more rainfall during the southwest monsoon that runs from May till September.
HOW TO GET TO UNAWATUNA
BY TRAIN
The train journey along Sri Lanka’s beautiful coastline is the most scenic (and the best) way to reach Unawatuna, especially if you’re planning to visit after Colombo, Hikkaduwa or Mirissa (Weligama Railway Station).
With an excellent train connection between Colombo Fort and Matara (which operates frequently), it’s quite straightforward. Just make sure to get off at the Galle train station, where it’s easy to take a local bus or tuk tuk to Unawatuna, which costs you around 320 LKR ($1.70).
From Colombo to Galle | Cost 200 – 280 LKR, ($1.10 – 1.54) | Travel time +/- 3 hours
From Hikkaduwa to Galle | Cost 120 – 200 LKR, ($0.66 – 1.10) | Travel time +/- 30 minutes
From Weligama to Galle | Cost 110 – 160 LKR, ($0.60 – 0.88) | Travel time +/- 45 minutes
BY BUS
Unawatuna is situated on Sri Lanka’s vibrant south coast at only 15 minutes away from the well-known Galle Fort. If you’re looking to visit Unawatuna after Hikkaduwa, Galle or Mirissa I highly recommend travelling by local bus.
Using local busses as your service of transport is very affordable and a great way to get a feel for the country and its people.
Local bus | From Hikkaduwa, Galle or Mirissa
Cost | Around 50 LKR, ($0.30) per person
Local bus from Colombo to Galle | For travellers on a budget, it’s also possible to take the local bus from Colombo to Unawatuna. This journey requires changing busses in Galle and takes significantly longer, making it quite exhausting.
Where | Bastian Mawatha Bus Station
Cost | 100 LKR, ($0.55) per person
When | Departs every 20 minutes
Travel time | Around 3.30 hours
Direct bus from Colombo to Galle | If you’re travelling from Colombo I recommend taking the train or opt for the more luxury direct bus from Colombo to Galle (with air-conditioning) that leaves from the Maharagama bus station. Keep in mind that this bus station is about 15-kilometres south of the city centre, making it quite difficult to get to during peak hours.
Where | Maharagama Bus Station
Cost | 400 LKR, ($2.20) per person
When | Departs every 15 minutes
Travel time | Around 1.45 hours
STAY SAFE IN SRI LANKA | TRAVEL INSURANCE
Though Sri Lanka is perfectly safe for travellers, I always strive to sort out my travel insurance before arriving in a foreign country, and I highly advise anyone else to do the same.
Where we prefer that everything goes smoothly during our travels, something unfortunate can happen at any moment, whether it’s an injury or an accident on the road. When that happens, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full covid-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
World Nomads | If you’re an adventure seeker, backpacker, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime world trip, make sure you check out World Nomads, they designed the perfect travel insurance to help you travel safer and smarter. Do note that they’re not covering covid-19 related claims.
