Unawatuna
A curved sandy bay a short drive from Galle Fort
Unawatuna is one of the south coast's most popular beach towns — a curved, mostly calm bay backed by palm trees, with a walkable strip of guesthouses, restaurants and dive shops.
The Japanese Peace Pagoda overlooks the bay from a headland, and Galle Fort is a short onward trip up the coast, making Unawatuna a comfortable base for exploring the south.
Who it suits
Families and couples who want a relatively calm, swimmable beach; snorkelers and beginner divers; travelers who want to be close to Galle Fort without staying inside the fort walls.
Worth seeing
- Unawatuna Beach
- Japanese Peace Pagoda
- Snorkeling & diving
- Galle Fort (nearby)
Best time to go
Like the rest of the south coast, conditions are typically calmest and driest from around November to April, with the southwest monsoon bringing more rain and rougher seas roughly May to September.
Getting there
Reachable by private transfer from Arugam Bay (a coast-to-coast journey — see our route page), from Colombo Airport, or as a stop between Galle and points further along the south coast.
Where to stay
A dense strip of guesthouses and small hotels along the beach road, with quieter options set back on the headlands at either end of the bay.
Choose your vehicle
Cars, vans and SUVs are available for transfers to Unawatuna — see live seat and luggage capacity for each vehicle on our Fleet page.
Frequently asked questions
Safe journeys island-wide across Sri Lanka — taxis, rentals, stays and experiences in one booking.