Galle & the coast
Beaches Near Galle, Sri Lanka
Galle sits on Sri Lanka's south coast, within easy reach of some of the island's best-known beaches. Here's a practical overview, starting with the one on your own doorstep.
The beach at Villa Inlet Galle
Villa Inlet Galle has its own private beach area on the Indian Ocean, reached through the garden — the simplest option on a quiet day, and included in every stay.
Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna is one of the most popular beaches on the south coast, a crescent bay a short drive from Galle Fort. It has calm, sheltered water that suits swimming, plus a strip of cafés and guesthouses along the sand. From Villa Inlet Galle it's about a 20 minute drive.
Mirissa
Further along the coast, Mirissa is known for whale and dolphin watching boat trips (in season) and for Coconut Tree Hill, a headland lined with leaning palms that has become one of the most photographed spots on the south coast.
Weligama
Weligama's wide, gentle bay is a well-known learn-to-surf beach, with numerous surf schools renting boards and giving lessons for beginners. It's also known for the stilt fishermen who perch on poles just offshore — a traditional fishing method that has become an iconic image of this coastline.
Koggala and Hikkaduwa
Koggala, closer to Galle, has a long stretch of sand and a calm lagoon inland from the beach. Hikkaduwa, a little further north, is known for its coral reef and is a popular spot for snorkelling and, for more experienced surfers, some of the south coast's better-known breaks.
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Villa Inlet Galle is on the bayfront at Galle, within a comfortable drive of every beach above and about 10 to 15 minutes from Galle Dutch Fort. For more on the wider area, see our guide to things to do in Galle, or check the exact drive times on our location page.
Base yourself on the bayfront at Galle
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