Tangalle is located closer to Hambanthota town and famous for its lush vegetation, queue of palm trees and breathtaking beaches. It is one of the largest towns of Down South of Sri Lanka. Located 195 km south of Colombo, Tangalle is 35 km east of Matara. The town is located on one of the largest bays of Sri Lanka and protected by enclosing reef. It is a popular tourism destination because of sandy beaches, easy access to Bundala National Park (Hambantota), dolphin and whale watching, turtle watching, surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary for Bird Watching. The old Dutch fort is now being used as a prison.
Made up of a sequence of beautiful rocky caves, the twin bays to the west of Tangalle town in Goyambokka & Pallikaduwa are picturesque upmarket villages in sharp contrast with the flatter coastline to the north. Some guesthouses, located on the hillsides with spectacular sea views, have their own private access to individual beaches of rich sand.
Another important attraction of Tangalle is the Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara, a Buddhist rock temple situated 20 km of north of the town. According to ancient inscriptions carved on the rock, Mulkirigala dates back almost 2,000 years when it was a site of a Buddhist monastery. The Parewella Natural Swimming Area, is located 0.9 km from Tangalle town center a must place to be for any swimmer.
Also visit a small town called Rekawa located 10km from Tangalle to watch marine turtles in the beach, laying their eggs in the sand nests at night. The nesting sites are protected until hatchlings return to the ocean.
When you drive 20km away from Tangalle town you will come to a bird sanctuary called Kalametiya. The little-visited bird sanctuary comprises an area of coastal lagoons and mangroves which is rich in marine and other birdlife and the best season to visit in between November to March.
Actions: Enjoy swimming (Parewella Natural Swimming Area), surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, arrange a boat to go to deep sea to watch dolphins and whales, enjoy the creative serenity at Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara, drive to Rekawa for turtle watch and Kalametiya for bird watching.
