Activities

Galle Fort

Galle Fort is by distant the most important tourist attraction in Galle. Spread over a massive area of 36 acres, the fort is a settlement which showcases the century-old culture and colonial heritage of Galle. Commonly referred to as the Dutch Fort, this is one of the most beautiful Galle attractions for being an amazing historical and archaeological site. The Galle Fort is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage memorial with more than 400 years of history. UNESCO described it as a World Heritage site for its unique explanation of an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

Today, the Galle Fort is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European settlers. The Sri Lankan government and many Dutch people who still own some of the properties inside the fort. A multi-ethnic population occupies it, and a tour through the fort is sure to impress you with its impressive age-old architecture.

The site itself holds archaeological, historical as well as architectural significance, and it also has several attractions within its territory; from buzzing cafes, bookstores and restaurants to museums, gift and jewelry shops, hotels and offices built in the colonial-style architecture.

Snorkelling and scuba diving

The Unawatuna Bay is not only a world-famous beach on land, but offers a great underwater experience, too. With its many shallow spots, it is also the perfect place for snorkeling. A small shipwreck along with some rocks and corals offer a fun experience to snorkelers.

Only a few kilometers down the road, between Unawatuna and Galle, you’ll find Jungle Beach Bay. The bay is an insider tip, with a beautiful beach and very shallow entry points, which makes it a great place for snorkeling.

Unawatuna has around 16 different Dive Sites with different depths from 6 to 30 meters offering a vibrant variety of dives like Reef Dives, Rock Dives, Wreck Dives.

Rumassala Sanctuary and Japanese Peace Pagoda

Rumassala is a small hill forest cover situated closer to the beach and about 2km walking distance from our hotel.

The colonial name of Rumassala is Buno Vista implies “pleasant view”. Rumassala hill, forest and sea are declared as a wildlife sanctuary. Bonavista coral reef is also a part of it.

It is a heaven for herbs. Researchers have found 150 different species of herbs on Rumassala Hill. These species are unique in that area.

Japanese Peace Pagoda located on top of the Rumassala Hill offering splendid views of the entire ocean, the Japanese Peace Pagoda is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Galle. The Japanese Peace Pagoda is for all those people who are looking for inner peace and some time for contemplation. A peaceful structure built not so long ago is perched on top of the Rumassala.

Hill from where you can see the spacious ocean and the thick jungles. You should ideally visit this place at dusk if you want to witness a breathtaking sunset. The aura at dusk is charming and rides one into another world of beauty. A must-visit for those seeking devoutness and inner peace, this attraction makes for an excellent trek and offers mesmerizing views from the top of the double-story structure.

You can take Bonavista Road from Galle-Matara Road, just in front of Holcim cement factory to reach Rumassala. The jungle beach, Rumassala south beach and Japanese peace pagoda are main attractions of Rumassala.

Unwatuna Beach

Unawatuna beach is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Sri Lanka and is the most “famous” beach in the country, snug in its sun-kissed bay filled with holiday goers from around the world. The narrow coastal road that hugs the shoreline serves as a fascinating walk-through seaside boutiques and restaurants that cater to the tastes of everyone who encounters them.

This banana-shaped golden sandy beach with its turquoise water is usually crowded during the day with both locals and tourists, in this amazing beach which has the best waves for swimming. There are sunbeds for rent and many guesthouses bordering this beach which is surrounded by palm trees. Behind the beach, leads to a road filled entirely with a variety of vendors selling all types of goods including clothes, jewelry and souvenirs.

Surfing

Surfing in Unawatuna or in Galle beach which is the best beach for beginners to learn surfing is one of the most exciting and most popular water activities that one should try out.

Unawatuna is home to a left-hand reef break that is more suitable for experienced surfers or Galle as well as a shallow beach break with a sandy bottom for beginners. The waves here rarely exceed 4ft (1.2m), and a longboard would be the best option here, is an excellent destination for a family surfing vacation.