Unawatuna, just east of Galle, is a sheltered bay with calm swimming in season, diving and snorkelling, and a lively strip of restaurants. Jungle Beach and the Japanese Peace Pagoda lie on Rumassala hill, linked in legend to the Ramayana.
Top things to do in Unawatuna
Unawatuna Beach
A curved bay protected by a reef, good for swimming from about November to April.
Jungle Beach
A small cove below Rumassala, reached by a short walk or tuk tuk.
Japanese Peace Pagoda
A white stupa on Rumassala hill, built by Japanese monks, with views over the sea.
Diving and snorkelling
Reefs and wrecks nearby, with turtles and reef fish.
Yatagala temple
An old rock temple with a reclining Buddha and murals, inland from the beach.
Beach swing
Rope swings over the sand are a popular photo stop.
Best time to go
The best weather on this coast is from about November to April. The south-west monsoon brings rain and rough seas from about May to September.
Getting around
Tuk tuks are the easiest way to get around locally; agree the fare first or use a ride app where available. Buses and trains run along the coast road and railway between Colombo, Galle and Matara.
Safety
Sea conditions change with the monsoon. Red flags, strong currents and rip tides are common from about May to September and lifeguards are few, so swim only where locals or hotel staff say it is safe.
Plan your visit
Galle Fort is about 15 minutes away. For history, background and how to get there, see the Unawatuna travel guide, and for accommodation see hotels in Unawatuna.
Related posts
The Jungle Beach
Jungle Beach is a small cove on the far side of Rumassala hill, between Unawatuna and Galle. Forest runs down almost to the sand, and the water is good for snorkelling in season.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna, about 6 km east of Galle, has one of the best known beaches in Sri Lanka. The curved bay is partly sheltered by a reef and good for swimming from about November to April.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Unawatuna Beach Swing
The rope swings tied to leaning palms near Unawatuna became famous online and are now a popular photo stop. Go early or late to avoid the queues.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya
Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya is a rock temple inland from Unawatuna, among large granite boulders. It has a reclining Buddha and old murals.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Rumassala Japanese Peace Pagoda
The Japanese Peace Pagoda is a white stupa on Rumassala hill between Unawatuna and Galle, built by Japanese monks. It looks out over the sea and Galle harbour.
Image Credit: ShutterStock
Diving and Snorkelling in Unawatuna
Unawatuna is one of the main dive bases on the south coast. Shallow reefs close to shore suit snorkellers, and boats run to wrecks and deeper reefs.
Image Credit: ShutterStock