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fishrich14:24 UTC22 Jul 2009

We are currently traveling through Sri Lanka for the next month and are primarily interested in beach hopping. We are now in Trincomalee and are looking into beaches along the southern coast of the island. Does anyone know how the weather will be in Unawatuna and Mirissa during August? Is it still possible to snorkel, or will the waters be too rough?

Does anyone have any budget accommodation recommendation? We would like to find a place for 1500 Rupees or less.

Thanks for the insights!

FishRich

rod_b19:49 UTC22 Jul 2009

Hi,
First the couple of places that you've mentioned.
Unawatuna,,
a very narrow beach . Snorkelling would be around the reef which is quite a way out from the beach. Coral and fish, for snorkelling, I don't know. I also don't know of any cheap accomodation there.
Mirissa...
Lovely beach but open to the sea , so most of the time, too choppy for snorkelling. There is a small section of beach at the eastern end which is partially sheltered but usually bad viz. due to the currents.
Another place that you havn't mentioned I reckon is your best bet of a reasonably quiet beach combined with snorkelling.
Thats at Polhenna. A sort of suburb of Matara.
It's a small beach, mainly used by locals, rarely get tourists there. Not too far out there's a reef with some coral and colourful fish.
Place to stay there,

Sunil's Rest , Guest House and Restaurant,
16/3A, 2nd Crossroads,
Polhenna.

An excellent guest house built around the family home. All good rooms , en-suite and real Sri Lankan home cooking. Should get a double room for less than 1500
It lies in a little quiet lane which leads directly to the beach, about 100 metres away.

Easy way to get there is a short bus run out of Matara going west but first time it would be easier to get a tuk tuk from matara.

Without the snorkelling, I like the beach at Nilwella about half way between Tangalle and Dikwella.
Also Mirissa beach.
and Hikkduwa where you have a choice of the huge open beach southern end of Hikkaduwa or the reef sheltered beach nearer fishing harbour.
Rod.
Rod.

1

wadiwadiman20:39 UTC22 Jul 2009

If you are planning a stop in Unawatuna I can recommend Thilak's restaurant and guest house. Owner is a lovely guy called Priyantha. It is on the beach, down at the far end near the Diving School and after the turning to The Strand and Jungle Beach. Lovely place to chill out.

2

swtzara05:59 UTC17 Aug 2011

i recommend you sunbeam coral villa where you would be able to tally with your budget.a newly opened place. wonderful view to ocean.friendly staff AND OF COURSE VERY DELIOUSE HOME MADE SRI LANKAN FOOD.we had a very pleasant stay there.

sunbeam coral villa
banadaramulla,mirissa

3

swtzara06:00 UTC17 Aug 2011

i recommend you sunbeam coral villa where you would be able to tally with your budget.a newly opened place. wonderful view to ocean.friendly staff AND OF COURSE VERY DELIOUSE HOME MADE SRI LANKAN FOOD.we had a very pleasant stay there.

sunbeam coral villa
banadaramulla,mirissa

4

Unawatuna & Mirissa in August Country forums / Indian Subcontinent / Sri Lanka
fishrich14:24 UTC22 Jul 2009	We are currently traveling through Sri Lanka for the next month and are primarily interested in beach hopping. We are now in Trincomalee and are looking into beaches along the southern coast of the island. Does anyone know how the weather will be in Unawatuna and Mirissa during August? Is it still possible to snorkel, or will the waters be too rough? Does anyone have any budget accommodation recommendation? We would like to find a place for 1500 Rupees or less. Thanks for the insights! FishRich
rod_b19:49 UTC22 Jul 2009	Hi, First the couple of places that you've mentioned. Unawatuna,, a very narrow beach . Snorkelling would be around the reef which is quite a way out from the beach. Coral and fish, for snorkelling, I don't know. I also don't know of any cheap accomodation there. Mirissa... Lovely beach but open to the sea , so most of the time, too choppy for snorkelling. There is a small section of beach at the eastern end which is partially sheltered but usually bad viz. due to the currents. Another place that you havn't mentioned I reckon is your best bet of a reasonably quiet beach combined with snorkelling. Thats at Polhenna. A sort of suburb of Matara. It's a small beach, mainly used by locals, rarely get tourists there. Not too far out there's a reef with some coral and colourful fish. Place to stay there, Sunil's Rest , Guest House and Restaurant, 16/3A, 2nd Crossroads, Polhenna. An excellent guest house built around the family home. All good rooms , en-suite and real Sri Lankan home cooking. Should get a double room for less than 1500 It lies in a little quiet lane which leads directly to the beach, about 100 metres away. Easy way to get there is a short bus run out of Matara going west but first time it would be easier to get a tuk tuk from matara. Without the snorkelling, I like the beach at Nilwella about half way between Tangalle and Dikwella. Also Mirissa beach. and Hikkduwa where you have a choice of the huge open beach southern end of Hikkaduwa or the reef sheltered beach nearer fishing harbour. Rod. Rod.	1
wadiwadiman20:39 UTC22 Jul 2009	If you are planning a stop in Unawatuna I can recommend Thilak's restaurant and guest house. Owner is a lovely guy called Priyantha. It is on the beach, down at the far end near the Diving School and after the turning to The Strand and Jungle Beach. Lovely place to chill out.	2
swtzara05:59 UTC17 Aug 2011	i recommend you sunbeam coral villa where you would be able to tally with your budget.a newly opened place. wonderful view to ocean.friendly staff AND OF COURSE VERY DELIOUSE HOME MADE SRI LANKAN FOOD.we had a very pleasant stay there. sunbeam coral villa banadaramulla,mirissa	3
swtzara06:00 UTC17 Aug 2011	i recommend you sunbeam coral villa where you would be able to tally with your budget.a newly opened place. wonderful view to ocean.friendly staff AND OF COURSE VERY DELIOUSE HOME MADE SRI LANKAN FOOD.we had a very pleasant stay there. sunbeam coral villa banadaramulla,mirissa	4

Unawatuna & Mirissa in August