THE 8 BEST TIPS FOR PARADISE-LIKE UNAWATUNA!

The 8 best tips for paradise-like Unawatuna!

Welcome to a tropical paradise in Sri Lanka! Unawatuna is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and charming restaurants. Here, you can relax on the beach, but there’s also plenty to do for those who enjoy being active. This town is definitely worth a visit during your trip through Sri Lanka!
 
Good to know: Unawatuna is currently very popular among Russian tourists. You'll find Russian signs at restaurants, and locals sometimes assume you're Russian and hand you the Russian menu. It's a beautiful destination, but if you’re not a fan of highly touristy spots, it’s better to skip Unawatuna.

How to get to Unawatuna?

Unawatuna is easily accessible from various locations in Sri Lanka.

By bus

Most travelers visiting Unawatuna come from another location in the south of Sri Lanka. The bus network is excellent in the south and across the country. One major advantage of taking the bus is that it’s very affordable, often costing just a few dollars for a ride. You can use Google Maps to find out which bus to take and where it stops. If you’re uncertain, ask your accommodation for advice—they often know which bus is best for your journey. Keep in mind that you might need to transfer during the ride. Direct buses to Unawatuna are available from Kataragama, Dickwella, Tangalle, Mirissa, and Galle.

By taxi, PickMe or Uber

There are plenty of options to take a taxi to Unawatuna in Sri Lanka. This is significantly more expensive than the bus, but it will get you to your destination faster. The app PickMe is widely used in Sri Lanka and is essentially the local version of Uber. Uber is also available in Sri Lanka. One advantage of these apps is that the price is clearly stated in advance.

Our experience with PickMe and Uber is that you sometimes have to wait a bit to find a reliable driver. We’ve occasionally encountered situations where the driver remained stationary and didn’t come to pick us up, or even drove in the wrong direction. It can also happen that the driver calls and asks for a higher price. In such cases, it’s important to set clear agreements or book another driver if necessary.

By tuk-tuk

Another option is to take a tuk-tuk from your location to Unawatuna. This is a cheaper alternative to a taxi, but it’s often a bit less comfortable. It can be quite cramped if you're traveling with two people and backpacks or suitcases. We recommend choosing a tuk-tuk only for trips of up to about 1.5 hours, as longer distances can quickly become uncomfortable.

By train

The train network in Sri Lanka is well-developed, with many trains connecting different cities. There’s also a railway line along the coast. Often, you can enjoy stunning views during the train journey. You can use this website to check if there’s a train running from your location to Unawatuna.

What to do in Unawatuna?

There’s plenty to do in Unawatuna, but you can also simply relax and unwind on the beach. We’ve compiled the best tips for you!

1. Go on a snorkeling tour!

Unawatuna is a great spot for snorkeling! Just off the coast, you’ll find vibrant coral reefs, considered some of the most beautiful in Sri Lanka. The colorful corals are home to hundreds of species of fish and other marine life in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Popular snorkeling spots in Unawatuna include Jungle Beach, Rumassala Reef, and a shipwreck site.

On Unawatuna Beach, you’ll find several vendors offering snorkeling tours. These tours typically last about two hours and take you to three different snorkeling locations. We recommend checking with multiple vendors to find the best price. Alternatively, you can book a tour in advance.

Tip: The waters near Unawatuna are home to several shipwrecks. Thanks to these wrecks and the coral reefs, Unawatuna is also an excellent destination for diving.

2. Enjoy swimming with sea turtles at Dalawella Beach!

At Dalawella Beach, you can unwind on a sunbed and enjoy the beautiful views. The water here forms a natural pool, making it calm and shallow, perfect for relaxing. This beach is also a hotspot for sea turtles. Keep an eye out—they can sometimes blend in with the rocks! You’re welcome to swim in the water, but we recommend letting the turtles come to you instead of actively approaching them, ensuring a respectful interaction.

Nearby, you’ll also find Frog Rock, a large rock formation that resembles a frog—a fun sight to check out during your visit.

How to get there?
From Unawatuna, it’s about a 40-minute walk to Dalawella Beach. Alternatively, you can take a bus or tuk-tuk, which takes approximately 5 minutes.

3. Admire colonial architecture in Galle!

In the town of Galle, you can still see much of the colonial history. In the 16th century, the Portuguese established a trading post in Galle. They began building a fort to protect their trade interests from external attacks. In the 17th century, the Dutch took over the fort. Under Dutch rule, Galle became an important trading center. In the 19th century, the British took control of Galle. The Galle Fort is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In the center of Galle, you’ll find many colonial buildings, old churches, European-style houses, and narrow alleyways, giving you the feeling that you’re walking in Europe. Galle also has charming boutiques to explore.

Check out our article with the best tips for Galle!

How to get there?
From Unawatuna, it’s about a 30-minute bus ride to Galle. You can check Google Maps to see which bus to take and where the buses stop. Another option is to take a tuk-tuk or taxi to Galle.

4. Go surfing!

Unawatuna is an emerging destination for surfers. The surf season varies, but it usually lasts from November to April. There are several surf spots around Unawatuna for surfers of all levels. Dalawella Beach is a great spot for beginners due to its long, mellow waves. More experienced surfers looking for powerful waves can head to Mirissa or Weligama.

5. Learn to cook delicious Sri Lankan dishes with a local family

At Wasantha’s Sri Lanka Cuisine, you can enjoy delicious Sri Lankan food. The whole family helps out in the restaurant, creating a lovely local atmosphere. They offer various curries, as well as unique family recipes. In addition to the restaurant, they also have a cooking school. Here, they offer fun cooking courses, so you can learn to cook Sri Lankan dishes yourself—skills you can use at home too!

6. Have a drink on the beach in the evening

In the evening, it’s very lively on Unawatuna Beach. The sunbeds are cleared away and replaced with tables with cozy lights for dinner. After dinner, you can enjoy a drink at many spots along the beach.

7. Take a day trip to Mirissa

Mirissa is another beautiful beach destination on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Travelers come here to enjoy the sun, sea, beach, and relaxed atmosphere. Whether you love relaxing on the beach, enjoying delicious food, or surfing the waves, Mirissa has something for everyone. Check out our article 'The 11 Best Tips for Tropical Mirissa' for more recommendations.

8. Visit the Sea Turtle Rescue Center

The Sea Turtle Farm & Hatchery in Koggala is a 15-minute drive from Unawatuna. At this turtle rescue center, they care for injured turtles and release the rehabilitated ones back into the sea. Many turtles are rescued after getting caught in fishing nets, resulting in injuries to their eyes or shells. For a small fee, you can take a tour and support the rescue center.

Tip: The rescue center is on the way to Mirissa, so you can easily combine a visit with a trip to that town. If you’re traveling by tuk-tuk, you can ask the driver to stop here.

Do you want to read more about Sri Lanka?

See all our articles with the best tips to discover all beautiful places in Sri Lanka.

Do you want to read more about Sri Lanka?

See all our articles with the best tips to discover all beautiful places in Sri Lanka.

About the authors

How nice that you are on our website and that you have read this article! We are Mirte and Matthew, two Dutch adventurers with a passion for traveling, discovering cultures, and gaining new experiences. We've translated our love for the world into this website. We hope our articles inspire you to go on adventures! You can learn more about us through the button below.
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