Welcome to Unawatuna

With palm-lined beaches, turquoise waters and a good selection of guesthouses and restaurants, Unawatuna is very popular with travellers. The resort's location is superb, with the historic city of Galle just 6km away and a wooded headland to the west dotted with tiny coves.

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Years of insensitive development, however, have resulted in an unappealing sprawl of concrete hotels and restaurants packed together right on the shore, blocking views of the bay in many spots.

Erosion caused by the construction of ill-advised breakwaters have also hit Unawatuna hard, causing massive loss of sand to its fabled beaches. By 2012 the resort was in a poor state. But recent initiatives have certainly improved things, as the authorities have pumped sand from deep water offshore to widen the beach, which is now looking in better shape than it has for years.

Atmosphere-wise, Unawatuna is lively without being rowdy: think sunset drinks rather than all-night raves.

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Top experiences in Unawatuna

Amazing hotels and hostels

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Travel guides

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Unawatuna activities

$88 Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours

Whale Watching Cruise from Galle

Depart from your hotel in Galle or Unawatuna bright and early at 5:30am for this 6-hour whale watching cruise. Arrive at Mirissa Harbor and board the comfortable 50-foot (15-meter) passenger vessel. The ship is equipped with life jackets and all necessary safety equipment.With the warm southwest breeze blowing and the bright blue ocean unfurling below, enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast with morning tea onboard. Take plenty of time to gaze out on the water and spot blue whales, humpback whales, killer whales, and whale sharks. Perhaps you’ll also be able to see dolphins or sea turtles.
$45 Day Trips & Excursions

Private Day Tour: Kosgoda Balapitiya and Galle from Hikkaduwa

You will be starting your tour from Hikkaduwa at 8:30 am. Your chauffeur will be picking you up from your hotel and driving you to Balapitiya. You will reach the Madu River by 9:00 am and will embark on a one-hour river safari. This area of Balapitiya has a rich and dense ecosystem with swampy waters that support entire forests of mangroves, crocodiles, boars and marsh animals, and a large variety of waterbirds; including cormorants and pelicans. You will be travelling through secretive waterways created by mangrove tunnels and viewing tiny islands; some with temples or cinnamon pluckers, who you can buy fresh cinnamon from. You may also visit the fish massage parlour that stands on stilts, stretched over a portion of the river.Once you have disembarked from your boat, you will be travelling to Unawatuna, which is a one hour drive away. You will get there by 11:00 am and be spending an hour on the beach. You can bring a beach towel and some sunscreen if you wish to get a tan, or you can simply jog down the beach enjoying the fresh sea air, and bright warm sun. At 12:00 pm you will be heading to a hotel of your choice in Unawatuna to have lunch. There are quite a few hotels that serve great seafood too. You can select one according to your budget, as it will be at your own cost.At 1:10 pm you will be proceeding to the city of Galle. You will get there by 1:30 pm and will be viewing the various attractions of this picturesque colonial era city. Some of the most important places you will see are the Galle Fort which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galle Lighthouse, the National Maritime Museum, the Dutch Reformed Church, and more; all while walking through beautifully historic cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names.At 3:00 pm you will be leaving for Meetiyagoda. You will reach Meetiyagoda by 4:30 pm, and will be spending a productive 40 minutes there. Get some new appreciation for the jewels that adorn your favourite pieces with this visit to the moonstone mines of Meetiyagoda.See the deep shafts where the stones are mined. Learn more about the rare 'blue flash' moonstones that are mined in the area. Watch the miners wash and sift the mined stones to get those of the best quality. Hear more about the difficulties faced by the miners. Grab the opportunity to purchase some marvellous pieces; though you will need to haggle to get a reasonable price. This tour shows you the traditions of one of the oldest trades in Sri Lankan history - gem mining. At 5:10 pm you will be beginning your drive back to Hikkaduwa. You’ll get back to the hotel by 5:30 pm, completing your tour.
$1250 Cultural & Theme Tours

Sri Lankan Holiday Package

A 15 days tour in a comfortable airconditioned car, van or bus with hotel accommadation with breakfast and  a professional chauffeur guide.Day 1:Beach side rest, Watching Fisherman in NegomboDay 2-3. Visiting Anuradhapura ancient kingdom and MihintaleDay 4. Aukana and Pollonnaruwa Day 5-6. Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress and Cave TempleDay 7.Kandy Temple of the tooth and kandyan cultural showDay 8.Kitulgala, Whitewater rafting or Jungle walks. Day 9.Nuwara Eliya Hills and Tea factory visit.Day 10.Horton Plains, Train Trip and Ella.Day 11.Ella, Little Adams Peak and  Yala National Park.Day 12.Elephant Transit Home, Mirissa or Unawatuna.Day 13.Mirissa or Unawatuna beach.Day 14.Galle Dutch Fort, Colombo CityDay 15.Tour Ends
$80.44 Cultural & Theme Tours

Day Galle Tour

Itinerary / Highlights • After breakfast proceed to Galle. • Visit a Turtle Farm • Boat Safari along the Madu River • City tour of Galle including the Galle Fort and market place • Sea bathing in Unawatuna - 1 Hour • Visit stilt fisherman in Koggala • Drop off at hotel What you can expect?This tour will start from any hotel located in Bentota, Beruwala, Kalutara, Wadduwa, Koggala, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Ahungalla where we will pick you up. The Pick-up time will commence from 8:00 am onward. All modes of transportation are air-conditioned and will vary according to the size of the group as follows: • 2 Pax - Car • 3-8 Pax - Micro / Commuter • 9-12 Pax - Mini Coach • 13-15 Pax - Mini Long Coach • 16+ Pax - Large Coach There will be a English or German speaking professional guide allocated to each group using the Day Galle Tour. Once reaching Galle, you will be completing all points in the itinerary / program. Finally the group will be transported back to the hotel which they were picked up from confirming the end of the tour.
$67.03 Cultural & Theme Tours

Day Galle City Tour with Bicycle Ride

Itinerary / Highlights • Pick up from breakfast and proceed to Galle • City tour of Galle including the Galle Fort and market place • Bicycle Ride • Sea Bathing in Unawatuna - 1 hour • Drop off at the hotel What you can expect?This tour will start from any hotel located in Bentota, Beruwala, Kalutara, Wadduwa, Koggala, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Ahungalla, where we will pick you up. The Pick-up time will commence from 8.00 am onward. All modes of transportation are air-conditioned and will vary according to the size of the group as follows: • 2 Pax - Car • 3-8 Pax - Micro / Commuter • 9-12 Pax - Mini Coach • 13-15 Pax - Mini Long Coach • 16+ Pax - Large Coach There will be a English or German speaking professional guide allocated to each group using the Day Galle City Tour with Bicycle Ride. Once reaching Galle, you will be completing the visits and activities as in the itinerary. Finally the group will be transported back to the hotel which they were picked up from confirming the end of the tour.
$953 Multi-day & Extended Tours

Awesome 14-Day-round-the-Island-Tour

1st day - Pick up from airport or 8.30 from hotel, drive from Colombo/Negombo to Habarana, visit Dambulla cave temple, overnight stay in Habarana2nd day – Visit Sigiriya rock (UNESCO-protected site), after breakfast climb Sigiriya lion rock, in the evening climb and see sun set from Pidurangala rock, overnight stay in Habarana3rd day – Drive from Habarana to Polonnaruwa, sightseeing of the ancient city, in the evening visit Minneriya national park and enjoy wild-elephant- safari, overnight stay in Habarana4th day – Drive from Habarana to Anuradhapura, visit the sacred cities of Anuradhapura and Mihintale, overnight stay in Anuradhapura5th day – Drive from Anuradhapura to Trincomalee, overnight stay in Uppuveli beach front hotel for relaxing and enjoying beach side6th day – Early morning boat tour to Pidgeon Island and diving there, overnight stay in Uppuveli beach front hotel 7th day – Visit Trincomalee with Koneswaram temple, Fort Fredrick, Novel museum, Kanniya hot springs, overnight stay in Uppuveli beach front hotel8th day – Drive from Trincomalee to Kandy, route via Nalanda Gedige temple, visit spice garden in Matale, Aluvihare  rock temple and Matale Hindu temple, overnight stay in Kandy9th day – Visit Kandy, Tooth Relic temple and Royal Botanical garden in Peradeniya, evening walk around Kandy lake, overnight stay in Kandy10th day – Going from Kandy to Ella by train (6-hour-tour), enjoying view of hills and tea plantations, overnight stay in Ella11th day – Visit 9-Arch-Bridge and Ella Water falls, small hiking tour, overnight stay in Ella12th day – Drive from Ella to Yala, early morning leaving from Ella, visit Yala national park, overnight stay in Yala13th day – Drive from Yala to Galle, stop at most southern point Dowundara  with lighthouse, visit Galle Fort (UNESCO-protected site) and Dutch quarter, overnight stay at Unawatuna beach front hotel for relaxing and enjoying beach side 14th day – Drive from Galle/Unawatuna to Colombo airport, if schedule allows (depending on flight departure time) visit gem producer in Galle or Turtle hatchery in Kosgoda
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