Hotels in Unawatuna

Unawatuna: Sri Lanka's Southern Reef Bay

Unawatuna sits 6 km south-east of Galle Fort along Sri Lanka's southwestern coast, curving around a natural bay sheltered by a coral reef. The crescent beach stretches roughly 500 metres, backed by beach restaurants and guesthouses shaded by takka trees. The reef makes the bay calmer than open-coast beaches, which draws snorkellers and novice divers year-round. Jungle Beach, a 10-minute walk east over the headland, offers a quieter alternative for swimmers seeking fewer crowds.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Unawatuna ranges from budget guesthouses on the hillside above the bay to mid-range boutique properties within 200 m of the sand. Rumassala Hill, rising behind the bay, carries a protected forest reserve and provides the backdrop for several villa-style stays with sea views. Visitors combining Unawatuna with a tour of Galle Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 — typically base themselves here for 3–5 nights.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Trains from Colombo Fort station reach Galle in roughly 2.5 hours; tuk-tuks cover the remaining 6 km to Unawatuna for around LKR 300–400.
• Best season: December to April brings dry weather and calm seas; May to October sees the south-west monsoon with rougher surf.
• Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR); most beach restaurants accept cash only.
• Reef care: Avoid standing on coral in the bay — much of the reef is recovering from bleaching events recorded between 1998 and 2016.