Tangalle Beach
Tangalle is the border between the perfect tropical bays, which dominate a large part of the south – western coast of Sri Lanka and the vast beaches that can be found in the south – eastern part of the island. Tangalle also seems to be much quieter than other seaside towns such as Hikkaduwa and Mirissa, so it’s perfect if you want to spend some free time in an incredibly beautiful beach paradise.
Tangalla was originally a small fishing village, and fishing remains the main source of income for many inhabitants. Located 3-6 hours from the capital Colombo, Tangalle is best visited between October to April.
From Tangalle city, white sands extend for miles and kilometres, north – west and south – west, you can easily reach a number of smaller bays and beaches. Between sunbathing and swimming, it’s nice to have a coconut break in one of the quiet little cafes and restaurants along the beach on this very special Sri Lankan beach.
Tangalle is located near most of the country’s wildlife reserves, such as the Yala National Park, the Bundala National Park and the Udawalawe National Park. Tangalle will offer you a glimpse of the authentic life of the island, with mild weather, fishing boats wading in the sea, and fishing vessels in their nets full of catch – Tangalle will provide you with a perfect backdrop.
There are many water sports activities such as surfing and diving, but kayaking through the lagoon of Tangalle is a more satisfying experience, allowing you to discover the exotic mangrove species of animals. The locals are very friendly and welcoming at Tangalle, and the beach tends to draw a luxurious clientele as well as backpackers, which means service levels across the area cater to all levels of needs. Tangalle is one of the best beaches to go in Sri Lanka to relax, to get that perfect balance between rustic and luxurious, quiet and boisterous, wild and civilised.
The increasing commercialisation and the increasing number of tourists has taken away the rustic charm of the city somewhat, but despite this, Tangalle retains the feel of a sleepy Southern beach town. In Tangalla there are several hotels and B & B hotels to choose from, some of them are located on the beach.
The city also has some famous examples of luxury resorts to stay in. ANANTARA PEACE HAVEN TANGALLE has a mesmerizing secluded beachfront just for you, while Hotel BUCKINGHAM PALACE will off scintillating natural surrounds, on the fringes of Tangalle. SHANGRILA HAMBANTOTA is another luxurious option not too far away. Other great places to stay include COCO TANGALLE, MAYA MANDALA, VILLAS and VILLA BLU.