Home / South / Unawatuna

Unawatuna Beach

South Coast · Galle · nearest town Unawatuna/Galle

★ 4.5 (1)

Swim: Rough

Best time: Nov–Apr; peak crowds Dec–Mar, with Jul–Sep a quieter secondary window

28.7°C · Overcast today

Region

South

District

Galle

Nearest town

Unawatuna/Galle

Water

Calm (inside the reef)

Crowds

lively, touristy, family

Wheelchair

A2 road, ~5 km south of Galle, ~108 km from Colombo; trains stop at Unawatuna station; 15-min tuk-tuk from Galle.

About Unawatuna

Unawatuna is a crescent bay sheltered by a coral reef — one of the safest swimming beaches on the south coast and the region's snorkeling and diving hub. Jungle Beach is a short walk over the headland, and the village behind the sand is packed with beach bars, restaurants and guesthouses.

✓Coral reef snorkeling & diving
✓Jungle Beach, a short hike away
✓Easy swimming inside the bay
✓Sunset views over the bay
✓Lively beach bar scene

Best time to visit

Nov–Apr; peak crowds Dec–Mar, with Jul–Sep a quieter secondary window (dry season for this coast)

Month	Avg high	Rain days	Suitability
Jan	~30°C	3–5	Excellent
Apr	~32°C	8–10	Good (peak heat)
Jul	~30°C	15–20	Rough / rainy
Oct	~30°C	14–18	Transitional

Weather

28.7 °

Feels like 33°

Overcast

Wind 13 km/h W (gusts 16) · Humidity 75% · UV 5

☀ Sunrise 05:54 AM · Sunset 05:53 PM

Next hours

11 AM

29°

Overcast

12 PM

29°

Overcast

1 PM

29°

Light drizzle

2 PM

29°

Light rain shower

3 PM

29°

Light rain shower

4 PM

29°

Overcast

5 PM

28°

Overcast

6 PM

28°

Overcast

Next 7 days

Mon

28°

Overcast

84%

Tue

28°

Overcast

85%

Wed

28°

Overcast

81%

Wave height: 1.6 m Sea temp: 30.5°C Swell: 1.5 m S

Forecasts are model-based; use the climate guidance above for season planning.

Surf conditions

Good

Swell

1.5 m S

Swell period

10s

Wind waves

0 m SW

Sea temp

30.5°C

Wind

Cross-shore

Tide

Rising

Secondary swell

0.2 m W

Wind blowing along the coast

Next 7 days — surf forecast

Mon

1.6m

10s

Tue

1.6m

10s

Wed

1.6m

10s

Thu

1.3m

Fri

1.1m

17s

Sat

1.2m

14s

Sun

1.2m

13s

Tide is an approximate rise/fall read (model sea-level, not tide-table times). Surf rating is a general swell/wind read, not break-specific.

Nearby

Restaurants, hotels and more populate automatically from OpenStreetMap.

restaurant

Yummy in the Tummy

1,745 m

Cuisine: burger

restaurant

Sea Secret Restaurant

1,975 m

restaurant

The Hideout

1,841 m

Cuisine: mexican

cafe

Le Café Français Boutique

1,750 m

hotel

Sea line

3,789 m

hotel

Lotus view Apartment

4,666 m

restaurant

Coffee beans Ceylon Restaurant & Cafe

2,282 m

Cuisine: asian;indian;pizza;regional

restaurant

Jungle Restaurant

2,802 m

Cuisine: local · Mo-Su 08:00-23:00

hotel

Kami Unawatuna

4,676 m

24/7

hotel

Lady Hill

4,110 m

hotel

The Dutch Bungalow

4,104 m

hotel

Dutch House

4,112 m

hotel

Rest Point

863 m

hotel

Sun House

4,046 m

cafe

My Mind unawatuna

1,884 m

Cuisine: seafood · Mo-Su 11:30-21:00

restaurant

Sahana

1,956 m

hotel

Sol Y Mar

1,962 m

restaurant

Happy Banana

2,013 m

hotel

Sol Y Mar - Unawatuna

1,963 m

hotel

Sunil Garden

2,242 m

restaurant

Red Snapper Unawatuna

2,057 m

Mo-Su 08:00-22:30

hotel

Tilak

2,305 m

restaurant

Shady Tropics

1,608 m

Mo-Su 16:00-01:00

restaurant

Sekeera Restaurant

2,437 m

restaurant

vishka's curry house

2,075 m

Cuisine: sri_lankan;rice_and_curry

hotel

Sea View Hotel

2,418 m

hotel

Amangalla

4,096 m

hotel

White Villa

2,189 m

hotel

Le Grand Galle by Asia Leisure

4,623 m

hotel

Full Moon Resort

2,042 m

hotel

FORT INN

3,958 m

hotel

Rathna Guesthouse

4,698 m

hotel

Rampart View

4,074 m

cafe

BIA College Hostel

3,975 m

Cuisine: ice_cream · Mo-Su 09:00-22:00

hotel

Beach Heaven

4,052 m

hotel

House of Badreen

3,854 m

hotel

Curry Leaf Hostel

4,098 m

24/7

hotel

Mandi

2,159 m

hotel

Fort Printers

3,981 m

hotel

Flower Garden

1,542 m

hotel

Galle Fort Hotel

4,033 m

hotel

Fort Fifty

3,892 m

hotel

Unawatuna Bay

2,556 m

hotel

Ivory Villa

2,515 m

hotel

La Clochette Galle

3,894 m

hotel

Village Inn

2,247 m

hotel

Fort Bazaar

4,038 m

hotel

LemonGrass

2,536 m

hotel

Peacock

1,986 m

restaurant

One Love

2,283 m

Cuisine: indian

hotel

The Yellow

1,975 m

hotel

Ammas Guesthouse

2,113 m

hotel

Unawatuna Beach Resort

1,928 m

hotel

Boomerang

2,205 m

hotel

Little Villa

2,085 m

restaurant

Cormaran Beach

2,148 m

hotel

Muhsin Villa

4,097 m

hotel

Dhammika

2,095 m

hotel

Pedlar 62

4,034 m

restaurant

Jina's Vegeratian

1,871 m

hotel

Deco on 44

4,148 m

hotel

Kahuna Rooms

1,748 m

hotel

Rent Rooms of The Mosque

3,932 m

hotel

Lucky Tuna

2,022 m

hotel

The Bartizan

4,200 m

24/7

hotel

Mahesh Rooms

1,829 m

viewpoint

Flag Rock Bastion

4,047 m

hotel

Villa Watuna

2,161 m

hotel

Neptune Bay Hotel

2,067 m

hotel

Motel Navoad

1,723 m

restaurant

RELAX Food Art Restaurant

2,061 m

Cuisine: european;ukrainian;russian;cake · Mo-Su 08:00-22:00

hotel

Neptune Bay

2,015 m

hotel

Fort Inn

3,962 m

hotel

One and Only Appartments

1,997 m

hotel

Captain's Lounge

4,241 m

cafe

Pipels Cafe

1,815 m

hotel

Fort Dew

4,283 m

hotel

Primrose

2,221 m

hotel

Iffa House Galle

4,193 m

hotel

Randa

1,887 m

hotel

Prince Of Galle

4,235 m

restaurant

Roti Shop

1,911 m

Cuisine: regional

cafe

The Garden House

825 m

Cuisine: healthy;natural;tasty · Mo-Su 08:30-16:30

restaurant

Samson Seafood

2,081 m

hotel

Fort Thari Inn

4,249 m

hotel

Secret Garden

2,137 m

restaurant

Wijaya Beach restaurant

2,015 m

restaurant

Silva Rest

1,811 m

hotel

Mihiripenna Beach Resort

4,118 m

hotel

Strand Home Stay

2,219 m

restaurant

Levels Unawatuna

1,831 m

restaurant

Tartaruga Beach Restaurant

1,979 m

restaurant

Sahana Beach

2,159 m

hotel

The Villa Hotel

2,142 m

hotel

unawatuna

2,048 m

hotel

Dutch Villa

4,218 m

restaurant

WAVE BEACH RESORT

2,475 m

hotel

Mama's Garden

2,129 m

hotel

Asantha Guest House

1,858 m

hotel

Mango House

3,954 m

cafe

Kat's Coffee

1,496 m

Cuisine: coffee_shop;italian;german;regional;sandwich

hotel

Thenu Rest

3,830 m

hotel

Unawatuna Apartments

2,338 m

hotel

Closenberg Hotel

2,149 m

hotel

Nature Villa (Adults Only)

1,912 m

hotel

Rockside Cabanas Hotel

4,379 m

restaurant

Indian Hut

1,260 m

cafe

Fresh Coconut Bar

2,195 m

hotel

Southern Rest House

2,644 m

hotel

Talpe Beach

1,822 m

hotel

Fort Sapphire

4,230 m

restaurant

Jina's Vegetarian Restaurant

1,941 m

hotel

Shanthi Beach Resort

4,810 m

restaurant

The Rock

2,300 m

cafe

Chili Cafe

2,068 m

restaurant

Kingfisher

2,357 m

restaurant

Hot Rock

2,237 m

hotel

Hotel Weltevreden

4,226 m

restaurant

Paradise Garden

1,909 m

Cuisine: regional;italian

hotel

Mihiri Beach House

1,600 m

hotel

Podi Gedara Apartments

2,088 m

hotel

Anara Villa

2,004 m

hotel

Alfies Beach House

1,967 m

hotel

Apa Villa

2,204 m

hotel

Foot Print Villa

2,566 m

hotel

Villa Sri Devi

2,531 m

hotel

Blue Sky Aqua Marine

2,828 m

hotel

Dinu Villa

3,252 m

hotel

Frangipani Tree

3,508 m

hotel

Era Beach by Jetwing

3,359 m

hotel

23 Palm

3,274 m

hotel

Star Light Hotel

3,692 m

hotel

Chamenka Beach Resort

4,193 m

hotel

Jasmine Inn

4,293 m

hotel

Blue Sky Beach Resort

4,348 m

hotel

Piples Bungalow

4,312 m

hotel

Why House

4,332 m

hotel

Villa Alexia

4,352 m

hotel

Wijaya Beach Restaurant

4,531 m

hotel

Paradise Villas

4,623 m

hotel

Beach Grove Villas

4,744 m

hotel

Tourist House

4,809 m

hotel

Era Beach By Jetwing

4,950 m

hotel

Eka Beach

2,806 m

hotel

Monsoon Villa

2,817 m

hotel

Sudu Surfing Cottage

2,797 m

hotel

Eterna Beach Hotel

2,637 m

hotel

Off Rocks Boutique Villa

2,606 m

hotel

Hotel La Veranda di Serena

2,525 m

hotel

Miltons Beach Resort

2,304 m

hotel

Cormaran Beach Hotel

2,233 m

hotel

Lavendish Beach Resort

2,222 m

hotel

Dilena Beach Resort

2,186 m

hotel

White Walk Villa

2,226 m

hotel

Jaya Inn

2,104 m

hotel

Black Beauty Guest House

1,878 m

hotel

Villa Inn Paradise

1,928 m

hotel

Calm Rest Inn

1,825 m

hotel

Hibiscus Villa

2,028 m

hotel

Summer Garden Guest House

1,996 m

hotel

Banana Garden

2,105 m

hotel

Sunny Mood Guest House

1,879 m

hotel

Unawatuna Beach Bungalow

1,949 m

hotel

Wimal Resort & Restaurant

1,964 m

hotel

Surfcity Guest House

1,966 m

hotel

Unawatuna Nor Lanka

1,812 m

hotel

Joes Bungalow

1,861 m

hotel

Sam's Guest House

1,910 m

hotel

Sea Breeze Guest House

1,877 m

hotel

Srimalis Residence

1,690 m

hotel

Daffodil Holiday Resort

1,637 m

hotel

Green Villa

1,695 m

hotel

Palitha's Guest House

1,523 m

hotel

The Lodge

1,584 m

hotel

Nooit Gedacht Heritage

1,453 m

hotel

Kings Palm Villa

1,496 m

hotel

Birds Nest

1,381 m

hotel

Sea View

1,207 m

restaurant

Upul's

1,150 m

hotel

Nature Trails Boutique

1,169 m

hotel

Coco Bay Unawatuna Resort

1,931 m

hotel

Coco Bay

1,262 m

hotel

Rooftop Lounge Angel Villa

2,076 m

hotel

Jungle Beach

2,341 m

hotel

Kumara Guest House

1,135 m

hotel

Fort Edge Resort

1,120 m

hotel

Neptune Bay Hotel

1,054 m

hotel

Cantaloupe Levels

1,799 m

hotel

La Villa

837 m

hotel

Damith Guest House

667 m

hotel

Villa Gaetano

657 m

hotel

Garden House

761 m

hotel

Lazy Lizard

519 m

hotel

Florie Villa

462 m

hotel

Kurulla Villa

560 m

hotel

Villa Mangrove

197 m

hotel

The Paddy House

1,260 m

hotel

Pavilion Villa

1,660 m

hotel

Banana Garden Resort

1,596 m

hotel

Kadolana Bungalow

4,959 m

hotel

Villa Duminda

4,529 m

hotel

Stars Moon Villa

4,377 m

hotel

Polhena Estate

3,105 m

hotel

Happy night unawatuna

2,155 m

hotel

Galle Centre Home

4,056 m

restaurant

Sunrise Sea Food Restaurant

2,557 m

Cuisine: seafood

restaurant

Happy Spice

2,010 m

Cuisine: asian

hotel

Secret Palace

4,035 m

hotel

Wimals Resort

1,948 m

hotel

Little Villa

1,986 m

cafe

Le Café Francais

1,733 m

restaurant

Samaya Beach Restaurant

2,262 m

hotel

Srimalis Residence

1,592 m

hotel

Villa Baywatch

2,098 m

7:00-

restaurant

Flamingo

2,095 m

Cuisine: regional,pizza,italian · 7:00-22:00

hotel

Gloria Grand Hotel

1,855 m

hotel

Unawatana Holiday Home

1,792 m

cafe

Black & white

1,978 m

Cuisine: seafood,sri-lankan,european,asian,grill · 08:00-22:00

hotel

coffee shopping对面中国人的 195

1,245 m

restaurant

Mati Gedara

1,683 m

hotel

Hempel House

3,689 m

restaurant

LemonGrass

2,540 m

Cuisine: asian,seafood,sri-lankan

hotel

Calamander Unawatuna Beach

1,981 m

hotel

Sheron Resort

1,918 m

viewpoint

Blowhole

2,595 m

restaurant

Pizza Restaurant

1,911 m

hotel

Jolanka Resorts Unawatuna

2,121 m

hotel

Ms Zouh's House

4,288 m

hotel

Ms Zouh's house

4,289 m

hotel

Albert Fort

4,067 m

hotel

Frangipani Motel

3,967 m

hotel

marco polo hotel

2,280 m

hotel

Sayura Beach Hotel

4,660 m

hotel

Skinny Beach House

4,645 m

hotel

Dilhan Guest House

4,617 m

hotel

Entrance Hotel

4,234 m

hotel

City Backpackers

4,015 m

hotel

Nisla guest house

4,023 m

hotel

Thaproban Pavillion Resort & SPA

2,453 m

hotel

Simon's House

2,447 m

hotel

Zeilan Hotel

2,473 m

hotel

Land's End Villa

2,487 m

hotel

Santori

2,408 m

restaurant

Provence

2,489 m

restaurant

Pandanus

2,529 m

hotel

Blue Horizon

2,492 m

restaurant

Jungle Beach Inn Restaurant

2,164 m

hotel

Parawa House

4,183 m

hotel

Imesh

2,024 m

hotel

Sonne Guest

2,014 m

hotel

Penthhouse on the Rocks

2,005 m

hotel

Marcus Rockhouse

2,122 m

hotel

Track fun

4,647 m

hotel

Green Turf Homestay

4,166 m

hotel

Jungle Hostel Villa

4,172 m

Mo-Su 09:00-23:00

hotel

Home Unawatuna

1,714 m

hotel

Travellers De Villa

952 m

restaurant

Fish Hunter Restaurant

1,002 m

hotel

Villa Upper Dickson

4,020 m

hotel

La Villa

2,117 m

hotel

Dionis Villa Apartments

2,076 m

hotel

Yellow house

4,267 m

hotel

Ibur hostels Galle

2,840 m

hotel

Thalpe Heights Villa

4,866 m

attraction

Palm rope swing.

4,981 m

attraction

Ship Rock

4,741 m

hotel

Agnus Luxury Villa

1,528 m

cafe

Skinny Tom's Deli

2,294 m

hotel

Navi’s home stay

3,991 m

hotel

Le Jardin du Fort

3,886 m

hotel

The Happy Place Hostel

3,678 m

24/7

hotel

Wijaya Beach

4,586 m

hotel

Silva Rest

1,780 m

hotel

Sri Gemunu Beach Resort

4,750 m

hotel

Galawatta Beach Cabanas

4,454 m

hotel

Zima's

1,888 m

restaurant

Jina's

1,869 m

hotel

Dilena Beach Resort

2,350 m

hotel

Dock Holiday Guest House

1,872 m

restaurant

The Hideout

1,914 m

Cuisine: mexican

hotel

Masith Guest House

4,007 m

hotel

Westeros House

1,149 m

hotel

Jungle Beach Inn

1,205 m

hotel

Le Jardin du Fort

3,891 m

restaurant

La Mer

1,278 m

cafe

Oshal Cool Spot

1,613 m

cafe

Kahuna’s Brunch

1,744 m

hotel

Fort Edge Retreat

1,199 m

restaurant

Jungle Village

1,637 m

restaurant

Hanaman Hill House

1,850 m

restaurant

Happy Banana Hotel

2,012 m

restaurant

Epic Unawatuna

2,070 m

restaurant

Ayana Beach Hotel

2,346 m

Cuisine: regional

attraction

Monkey View

1,976 m

hotel

Bird's Paradise Hotel

4,450 m

restaurant

Granders

2,047 m

hotel

Hiru Resort Inn

2,060 m

hotel

Villa Gaetano

165 m

hotel

Backpacker Galle hostel

4,172 m

restaurant

Dream Gecko

1,991 m

pharmacy

Ayurvedic medicine

2,510 m

restaurant

SEBU lounge

2,037 m

hotel

Sielen Diva

3,783 m

hotel

Kingfisher Bamboo Garden

1,679 m

hotel

Radisson Collection Resort, Galle

4,187 m

hotel

Villa Rumassala

1,189 m

restaurant

Sun Rise Catamaran

2,072 m

Reviews

★ 5 (1)

Scenery4.5

Water4.7

Cleanliness4.4

Facilities4.3

Crowds3.4

📌 Editor review

★ 5

The best all-rounder for easy swimming and snorkeling on the south coast. The reef keeps the bay calm, and Jungle Beach is worth the 10-minute hike for a quieter swim. Expect crowds in peak season.

Travel tips

▲14▼

Snorkeling · 1 month ago

Rent fins and a mask on the beach; the reef drop-off is just a short swim out. Best in the morning before the water gets busy.

▲10▼

Getting there · 1 month ago

About 115 km from the airport (3 hours) and 5 km from Galle Fort — easy to combine with a Galle day trip.

▲10▼

Swim at the western end · 1 month ago

The water near Rumassala headland is the calmest part of the bay; the eastern end can see surprising wave action outside peak season.

▲10▼

Snorkel early · 1 month ago

Visibility is best before about 9:00 AM, and turtles are most active in the shallow water between 6:00 and 9:00 AM.

▲10▼

Use reef-safe sunscreen · 1 month ago

The reef that protects the bay is under stress from warming water and pollution; choose mineral sunscreens or a rash guard.

▲10▼

Eat inland for local prices · 1 month ago

Beachfront restaurants cost 2-3 times more than the village rice-and-curry spots a few minutes' walk inland.

▲7▼

Crowds · 1 month ago

Midday is busy — come early for a quiet swim and sunset for the best atmosphere.

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FAQ

Yes — the coral reef keeps the bay calm, making it one of the safest beaches on the south coast.

Generally yes - a coral reef 100-200 m offshore keeps the bay calm and shallow, making it one of the safest swimming beaches in Sri Lanka. The eastern end can get stronger waves outside peak season, and seas roughen during the southwest monsoon.

November to April, during the dry season.

About 5-6 km, roughly 15 minutes by tuk-tuk or car. The coastal train also stops at Unawatuna station, and Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It's a short walk or tuk-tuk over the headland from the main beach.

December to March is peak season, when beaches, restaurants and rooms fill up; July to September offers a quieter secondary window with still-swimmable seas.

Questions from travelers

Is Jungle Beach safe for kids?

It's a small cove with gentle water, but there's no lifeguard — keep an eye on little ones.

Quick facts

Best timeNov–Apr; peak crowds Dec–Mar, with Jul–Sep a quieter secondary window

Coordinates6.0100, 80.2480

Editorial updated Aug 2026

Getting there

FromColombo (via A2)

Distance~145 km

Drive time~2.5 hrs

TransportBus, train to Galle + tuk-tuk

! In an emergency

Nearest major hospital

Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Galle

Tourist police

Tourist Police: 1912 (Sri Lanka-wide)

Also dial 110 for emergency (Police)

Related beaches

MirissaNov–Apr HikkaduwaNov–Apr (Dec–Mar is the reliable core); the sea is rough and much of the town shuts in the May–Oct monsoon. BentotaNov–Apr

Unawatuna Beach

About Unawatuna

Best time to visit

Weather

Surf conditions

Nearby

Reviews

Travel tips

Share a photo

FAQ

Questions from travelers

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