Koggala Beach

Koggala beach is another of Sri Lanka’s great surfing beaches. Located on the south coast of Sri Lanka, not far from Unawatuna beach, this is beautiful stretch of pale golden sands that reaches into the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. With a backdrop of coconut palms and jungle vegetation it has a real feel of tropical paradise to it. This is the perfect spot to sip on a coconut while you relax with your feet in the soft sands, enjoying the scenery.

If you want to surf, this is not the ideal spot for beginners as the water has strong currents and powerful waves. You may run into a white tip reef shark or sea turtles while you are out catching some waves.

Well worth a visit is the nearby Koggala Lake. Home to mangroves and a number of little islands, one of which is home to a Buddist hermitage. Other local sights, include the Tea Estates and the Kataluva Purvaram Maha Vihariya - a 13th century Buddist temple.

Also near Koggala is a turtle hatchery which buys turtle eggs from local fishermen in an effort to prevent the trade. Here you can see baby turtles from a number of species such as loggerheads and leatherbacks, but also sometimes the much rarer green turtle.

There are plenty of shops and restaurants near Koggala beach, and the fresh local seafood is delicious. You will find resorts on the beach that offer modern conveniences, including a swimming pool