This time, I am writing a blog about a journey that I had been eagerly waiting for during the winter holiday. Come with us. It’s time to unlock the beauty of Tangalle. This time, I finally planned a five-day trip. I specifically wanted to travel somewhere exciting during the winter season because it is the time when we can truly experience the vibrant energy of travel and tourism. During this season, travel destinations become lively with cafés, restaurants, and travellers looking for beauty, relaxation, peace, and adventure. Unlike Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, or Mirissa, Tangalle is not a fully commercialised destination. Instead, it offers peaceful surroundings with many secluded and unspoiled beaches.
I mainly considered this a relaxing trip because I badly needed to refresh my mind. I spent the first two days at a hotel in Tangalle since it provided easy access to the places I planned to visit. After a 3½-hour drive from my home in Dehiwala, Colombo, we reached the hotel around check-in time and relaxed for about two hours before heading out again.
Our first destination was Hiriketiya, which was around a 20–25 minute drive from our hotel. As soon as we entered the area, we immediately felt the vibe. It seemed that Hiriketiya was more popular among foreign travellers than local visitors. Honestly, I hardly met any Sri Lankan travellers there. I was actually happy to see that this beautiful place had become such a favourite destination among international visitors.
Since Hiriketiya is famous for surfing, we decided to spend some time in the water. We didn’t hire a surf instructor because all of us had already completed a few surfing sessions in Weligama. Honestly, it was a great experience trying a different surfing destination. However, as a beginner, I didn’t feel as comfortable surfing at Hiriketiya as I did in Weligama because Hiriketiya Beach has small rocks in some areas. Compared with Hiriketiya, I personally feel that Weligama offers more suitable conditions for beginner surfers. Nevertheless, it was worth experiencing different surfing conditions.
After surfing, it was time to enjoy a delicious meal while watching the sunset. There are plenty of lovely cafés and restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seafood and many other delicious dishes. We spent around three hours on the beach, enjoying a chilled lager beer with a seafood platter while watching the beautiful sunset. It was the perfect way to end our first day before returning to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.
Kalamatiya Lagoon Safari
After having a good night’s sleep, we woke up early at around 5:30 AM. To have a fresh start to the day, we visited the nearby Goyambokka Beach, which was just a quick 5-minute drive from our hotel.
As soon as we arrived, we immediately felt the cosy atmosphere of this stunning, pristine beach. I noticed that some parts of the beach had reddish-coloured sand, which added another beautiful touch to the incredible scenery. The beach is also surrounded by rocky formations, making it even more unique. One remarkable feature is the white sculpture standing on top of the rocky cliff, which catches your attention from a distance.The fishermen had already started their work early in the morning, adding a beautiful local touch to the peaceful surroundings. The sea was calm, and we were fortunate enough to witness a breathtaking sunrise. After capturing some wonderful photographs, we returned to our hotel.
Our evening plan was to experience the Kalametiya Lagoon Boat Safari. We left the hotel at around 3:15 PM since it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the lagoon. We had already confirmed our boat safari with one of the local service providers. The best time to enjoy the evening safari is between 4:00 PM and around 5:30–6:00 PM. There is also a morning safari, where you need to arrive by around 6:00 AM. This is the best time to observe many of the lagoon birds as they gather to search for food.
Our guide was friendly and very knowledgeable about the birdlife and the history of the sanctuary. Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in Sri Lanka, providing a habitat for around 150 bird species, including nearly 50 migratory species. The sanctuary was first declared a protected area in 1938, covering around 2,500 hectares of mangroves, wetlands, fishing grounds, and neighbouring villages. However, due to illegal farming and fishing activities within the protected area, the sanctuary was re-declared in 1984 with a reduced protected area of around 700 hectares. Today, the sanctuary promotes ecotourism while helping to protect this unique ecosystem. To minimise environmental impact, motorboats are not allowed inside the lagoon. I was happy to learn that the boat safari has now become one of the most popular ecotourism activities in Kalametiya.
During the safari, you have the opportunity to spot many beautiful water birds, including Painted Storks, Asian Openbills, Spot-billed Pelicans, Ibises, and many more. The sanctuary is also home to several species of herons and egrets. Depending on the season, you may even be lucky enough to see migratory birds such as Garganeys and Caspian Terns. Besides its rich birdlife, the sanctuary is covered with beautiful mangrove forests, salt marshes, and scrub vegetation, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
After the boat safari, we climbed to a nearby viewpoint where we could admire the entire lagoon from above. The journey took us through a small village, where our guide explained that many families had once lived there before being displaced by the 2004 tsunami. Even today, the villagers continue their traditional dairy farming in the surrounding area.
Ah… I almost forgot to tell you! Our guide kindly treated us to some delicious traditional local sweets prepared by his family. It was such a thoughtful gesture and made our experience even more memorable.
After an unforgettable evening exploring the beauty of Kalametiya Lagoon, we returned to the hotel with fresh memories that we will always cherish.
Mulkirigala Temple
Visiting Mulkirigala Temple was actually a last-minute addition to our itinerary, suggested by one of our friends. We hadn’t originally planned to visit it, but I must say it became one of the highlights of our trip. If you are interested in history, culture, nature, and beautiful rural scenery, this is definitely a place worth visiting.
The temple is located around 30 minutes from our hotel and is also known as Little Sigiriya because of its impressive rock formation. The road conditions and accessibility are good, making the journey quite easy.
According to the Mahavamsa, the temple was originally built by King Saddhatissa during the 3rd century BC. Later, King Datusena constructed a stupa, while King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe further developed the temple.
We reached the temple around 8.30 a.m. The lower temple complex includes a beautiful Buddha statue and a dagaba. One of the most impressive features was the image house, where the colourful ceiling paintings beautifully reflect the artistic style of the Kandyan era. Even the pathway carved naturally through the giant rock is fascinating to see.
After purchasing our entrance tickets, we slowly began climbing towards the upper section of the temple.
As we continued the climb, we visited an ancient cave temple filled with beautiful paintings that represent the rich history and Buddhist heritage of Sri Lanka. There was also a small pond filled with blooming water lilies, adding even more beauty to the peaceful surroundings.
There are two paths leading to the summit. One follows an easier route, while the other is a little more adventurous, with steps carved directly into the rock. If you enjoy a bit of adventure, I would definitely recommend taking that route.
Finally, we reached the top, where another beautiful stupa stands overlooking the surrounding countryside. Along another path, you can also visit a peaceful Buddha statue.
Trust me… this journey was truly amazing, and I was so grateful to the friend who suggested visiting this wonderful place. Standing at the top while enjoying the cool breeze and breathtaking scenery, I completely forgot about all the stress in my mind. Once again, I felt how fortunate we are to be born on such a beautiful island.
Overall, it took us around 30 minutes to reach the top, although it may take between 45 minutes and an hour depending on your pace. After collecting more unforgettable memories, we returned to the hotel for a short rest.
Later that evening, we ended the day with lots of fun and laughter at Goyambokka Beach.

Nilwella Beach
Our next day was dedicated to Nilwella, located around 20 minutes from our hotel. Situated between Dickwella and Tangalle, Nilwella is also known as Shell Beach because colourful seashells can often be found along the shore.
One of the most unique features of Nilwella is the natural tombolo—a sandbar that connects the mainland to Blue Beach Island during suitable tide conditions. Unlike many commercialised beaches, Nilwella still preserves its peaceful fishing village atmosphere. It is an ideal place for swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, and simply relaxing by the sea. It is also located very close to the famous Hiriketiya Beach.

Blue Beach Island
Blue Beach Island is another popular attraction in the area, especially for camping and swimming. We crossed the natural sandbar to reach the island. After a 15–20 minute walk, we reached the highest point of the island, where we enjoyed breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding ocean.
There is a designated camping area on the island, but if you wish to stay overnight, you need to obtain permission and make your reservation in advance.
Since we had already planned to spend the remaining days of our holiday in Ahangama, we only enjoyed a quick swim before continuing our journey.
Come with us, let’s explore together
Travel Advice
Be aware of strong undertows and only swim in the sheltered coves, where conditions are generally safer.