⛱️ Southern Sri Lanka beaches: Hikkaduwa vs Unawatuna, what to choose

Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna sit on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. They are about an hour apart by road (on the map). Both resorts live by the sea and the beach, but they suit different people. Hikkaduwa attracts surfers and fans of a long shoreline. Unawatuna holds on to its calm bay and proximity to the city of Galle.

The choice comes down to four things: waves, beach size, infrastructure, and trips to attractions. The short rule is this. For surfing, you go to Hikkaduwa. For calm swimming with kids, choose Unawatuna.

We checked open data on the beaches and the marine park in September 2026. Some sites have short opening hours, so confirm visiting times in advance.

Climate and rainy season

💡 In short:

Swimming and sunbathing are more comfortable from December to March.
The rainy season in Unawatuna is milder than in Hikkaduwa.
Beach conditions and marine park status: 09/2026, verified on the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation website.

The southern coast lives by the monsoons. From May to September, the southwest monsoon arrives here. It brings humidity, wind, and high waves. April and November are considered shoulder season, and the weather changes day to day.

The most stable season in the south runs from December to March, when the sea is calm and rains are short.

Unawatuna is tucked into a bay behind a coral reef, and the hills together with the reef absorb the waves, so swimming here is possible almost year-round. In Hikkaduwa, the ocean is open. In the low season, waves near the shore become dangerous, and swimming for beginners is best avoided.

In the high season, hotels get more expensive, and available rooms are booked in advance. If you are traveling in summer, keep the island's east coast in mind: it is dry there at that time. The south in June and July sits under rain.

Unawatuna: a bay for calm swimming

Unawatuna meets the sea with a short bay. Its beach stretches for about a kilometer (on the map), and hotels and restaurants stand right along its edges. There is enough space for loungers, even when it is crowded.

Unawatuna sandy beach with palm trees and boats

The beach is protected by a coral reef that takes the brunt of the waves. The water near the shore here is calm, so for swimming this is the safest stretch of the southern coast. In the western part of the bay there is a separate swimming area for children.

Lounger rentals and water activities operate on the beach. Near the reef it makes sense to take a mask: underwater you can see corals and fish.

Who it's for: calm swimming and relaxing with kids.
Not for: surfers, there are almost no waves here.
How to get there: about 6 km from Galle (on the map), tuk-tuk or bus.
The catch: the shore is densely built up, and in season it is crowded by the water.

Jungle Beach: a walk through the jungle

Headland with dense jungle and turquoise sea

Jungle Beach lies a 20-minute walk from Unawatuna. The trail goes through the jungle, it is cleared, and a wire fence runs along it. You cannot get lost on the way to the water.

The beach is small and picturesque. Wild monkeys often appear here and beg for food from tourists. You should not feed them: the animals quickly lose their fear of people.

How to get there: on foot along the trail from Unawatuna, about 20 minutes.
Who it's for: a short walk and photos.
The catch: because of the proximity to Galle, the water near the shore is sometimes polluted with household waste.

Hikkaduwa: a long beach and waves

Hikkaduwa beach stretches along the ocean for several kilometers. This is its main difference from compact Unawatuna. There is enough space for everyone, and loungers and water activities are available all along the shore.

Sandy beach with palm trees and ocean waves

Hikkaduwa is considered the best place in the south for surfing. Waves rise here almost always, and surf schools operate right by the shore. Beginners with children should not swim in the open ocean: waves and currents are stronger than in the bay.

Who it's for: surfing and long walks along the shore.
Not for: calm swimming with kids.
How to get there: train from Colombo to Hikkaduwa station, schedule on the official Sri Lanka Railways website.
The catch: in the rainy season, swimming near the shore is dangerous.

Infrastructure: where it's more convenient to stay

Hikkaduwa railway station amid tropical greenery

For everyday conveniences, Hikkaduwa is ahead. Here you can easily exchange currency, buy groceries at a supermarket, and find a pharmacy. Unawatuna is smaller, and the things you need sometimes take longer to find.

For groceries and medicine from Unawatuna, it is convenient to go to Galle. The city is nearby, about 6 km on the map. In Hikkaduwa, everything you need is usually a step from your hotel.

Bandaranaike International Airport is closer to Hikkaduwa than to Unawatuna. So the trip to Hikkaduwa takes less time and costs less. Exact figures depend on the transport, so calculate the option for yourself.

Accommodation is cheaper in Unawatuna. That is why tourists who are not demanding about conditions come here more often. Hikkaduwa also has inexpensive guesthouses, but you will have to search for them longer.

Who it's for: those who value shops and a pharmacy nearby.
Not for: those who expect city-level services in Unawatuna itself.
The catch: some purchases in Unawatuna are made in Galle.

Hikkaduwa attractions

Hikkaduwa National Park

The park protects the coral reef near the shore and is considered one of the country's marine national parks. Check the status and rules on the official Department of Wildlife Conservation website. Boats to the reef go out depending on the weather.

Gem mines

Gem mines operate near the city. Some of them accept tourists. You will see how stones are mined and processed, and in the shop at the mine you can buy jewelry if you bargain.

Seenigama Vihara Temple

The temple stands on a small island and can only be reached by boat. Locals consider it a place of retribution: victims of theft come here to ask for punishment for thieves.

Island temple with a golden roof in rough seas

Tsunami memorial

The memorial to the victims of the 2004 tsunami stands near Hikkaduwa. A Buddha statue rises on a small island in the middle of a small pond. Plaques with the names of the dead stand around it.

Turtle farm

A sea turtle farm operates not far from the city. Here you will be told about the lives of these animals. For an extra fee, you can release baby turtles into the sea.

Mask museum in Ambalangoda

Mask museum building with a sign in Ambalangoda

The mask museum in Ambalangoda shows how traditional wooden masks are made. You can buy one as a souvenir. The town lies north of Hikkaduwa.

Unawatuna and Galle attractions

Unawatuna itself has no major monuments. But there are small Buddhist temples and pagodas here. The main sights are gathered in neighboring Galle.

Galle Fort

In Galle stands an old fort, the main attraction of the area. UNESCO included the city on the World Heritage list in 1988 (verified 15.09.2026 on the official UNESCO page). The fort was founded by the Portuguese, and it got its current appearance under the Dutch.

Colonial building with arches on a Galle street

Kottawa Forest

Kottawa Forest is little known to tourists, but no less interesting for that. Exotic plants grow here, and tropical butterflies and birds fly around. You will not encounter large animals. The forest has a pool with cool water from a stream.

Road through Kottawa rainforest with a bus

A trip inland

From the southern resorts it is convenient to head to the center of the island. There stand the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Another trip leads to the rock of Sigiriya. On it stands a 5th-century fortress-palace.

Comparison in one table

Criterion	Unawatuna	Hikkaduwa
Waves	calm bay, almost no waves	open ocean, surfing
Beach size	bay about 1 km (on the map)	several kilometers
Swimming with kids	safe, there is a children's area	not suitable for beginners
Infrastructure	basic, shopping in Galle	shops, pharmacy, currency exchange
Attractions	Galle Fort, Kottawa Forest	reef, memorial, mask museum
Accommodation price	lower	higher, but there are guesthouses

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where is swimming safer?

In Unawatuna. The bay is closed off by a coral reef, and waves almost never reach here. In Hikkaduwa, swimming in the open ocean requires experience, especially in the low season.

When is the best time to go to the southern coast?

From December to March. In these months the sea is calm and rains are short. From May to September, the southwest monsoon lasts in the south.

How long is the trip from the airport?

Bandaranaike International Airport is closer to Hikkaduwa, so the trip there is shorter and cheaper. The route to Unawatuna is about half an hour longer (on the map).

Where is it cheaper to stay?

Accommodation in Unawatuna is on average cheaper than in Hikkaduwa. Inexpensive guesthouses exist in both resorts, but in Hikkaduwa they take longer to find.

What to see besides the beach?

In Galle there is a fort from the UNESCO list. Near Hikkaduwa there is a coral reef, a tsunami memorial, and a mask museum in Ambalangoda. From both resorts it is convenient to travel to the ancient cities in the center of the island.

In short: which resort to choose

Unawatuna suits you if you are coming for calm swimming, with kids, and want to see Galle every day. Hikkaduwa is better for surfing, long walks, and developed urban infrastructure.

The matrix is simple. If you are traveling with kids, take Unawatuna. If you are coming for waves, take Hikkaduwa. If you want cheaper and quieter, choose Unawatuna.

Book before the trip and check your dates against the rainy season. That way you will not overpay and will not end up in the monsoon.

Hikkaduwa or Unawatuna: where the surfing is and where the quiet swimming bay is