A Guide to Visiting Tangalle Beach: Sri Lanka’s Hidden Gem
When it comes to postcard-worthy beaches in Asia, the likes of Thailand and the Philippines usually get all the attention, but Sri Lanka deserves a lot more recognition. And Tangalle, along with its surrounding coastline, proves exactly why.
With its endless golden sand, palm trees, crystal-clear water, and a noticeable lack of resorts and large hotels, Tangalle is home to one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka.
I visited Tangalle at the end of my three weeks in Sri Lanka. I had beach-town-hopped my way down the South Coast and ended my time in Tangalle, and it was exactly what I needed – relaxed, peaceful, beautiful, and a world away from the developed beaches of Thailand.
Unlike better-known spots like Mirissa or Unawatuna, Tangalle still feels like a bit of a secret. It hasn’t been overrun by tourism (yet), and that’s a big part of its charm.
In this guide, I’ve shared all you need to know about visiting Tangalle, including how to get there, where to stay, the best things to do and other things to know.
How to get to Tangalle Beach
From Colombo to Tangalle
Tangalle was the last stop on my journey before heading back to Colombo, and thankfully, the journey couldn’t have been easier.
I took the Express Highway Bus from Tangalle to Colombo (and vice versa). I booked my ticket through 12Go Asia and paid $7 USD.
It’s also possible to get the train, but this is more complicated and takes much longer.
For those who prefer not to use buses, you can hire a taxi or book a private transfer. However, this is an expensive option.
From Ella
If you’re visiting Tangalle after spending time in Sri Lanka’s Highlands, I suggest using a transfer service, which may include a stop along the way.
🐘 This service includes transfers between Ella and Tangalle, with a safari at Udawalawa on the way.
You can also take the bus to Matara and get a tuk-tuk or another local bus from there.
From Hiriketiya, Mirissa and other beach towns
Tangalle is slightly further down Sri Lanka’s South Coast from other popular resort areas, such as Hiriketiya, Mirissa, Unawatuna, and Weligama.
You can either take a tuk-tuk or use the local bus. Just find a bus going to Matara and take a tuk-tuk or another bus to Tangalle from there. Sri Lanka’s local buses can be tricky to navigate, but ask a local and they can tell you which bus to get.
How many days should you spend in Tangalle?
I recommend spending at least two nights in Tangalle. This will give you plenty of time to make the most of the beach and do some of the exciting activities the area has to offer.
Having said that, it would be easy to spend much longer here. If you’re looking for a place to unwind, relax, and base yourself for a few days or more, Tangalle is an excellent option.
It has a beautiful beach to relax on, plenty of local restaurants to try, and it’s in an excellent location for exploring further afield, including going on safari.
I found the area to be much quieter and less developed than towns such as Mirissa and even Hiriketiya. Some people will love this, but I’m sure some people may also be looking for somewhere with a bit more going on.
Things to do in Tangalle Beach
Kayak around the lagoon and mangroves
The best thing I did while in Tangalle was go kayaking around Tangalle Lagoon. It was absolutely beautiful and so peaceful.
Tangalle is home to a large lagoon teeming with wildlife, including numerous bird species, monkeys and large monitor lizards. Exploring the lagoon by kayak is one of the best ways to appreciate the wildlife and the peaceful setting of Tangalle.
There are a couple of places where you can hire a kayak to go into the lagoon, either guided or non-guided. The lagoon is much larger than it appears, and it’s easy to get lost, so I recommend taking a guide if possible.
I went with Kayaking Kingdom Tangalle and can’t recommend them enough. We didn’t need to book in advance, but I visited during the low season, so it might be different when there are more tourists.
We only paid $10 USD each for a guided 2-hour trip.
I recommend going at sunset for the best experience. You’ll avoid the worst of the heat, have a better chance of seeing wildlife (especially birds), and the lagoon is particularly pretty at sunset.
See elephants and leopards on safari
Tangalle is ideally located for anyone keen to go on safari in Sri Lanka. With its endless elephants, abundant water buffalo and even the elusive leopard, Sri Lanka is a fantastic destination for experiencing wildlife in its natural habitat.
In terms of safaris from Tangalle, Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park are both fantastic options. Both are approximately two hours from Tangalle, and there are tour operators that run daily tours.
Yala is the most popular option for safaris departing from Tangalle. This is mainly because Yala is home to leopards, and it’s one of the only places in Sri Lanka where you can potentially see them.
🐆 If you’re looking for a tour to Yala National Park from Tangalle, consider this highly-rated half-day tour.
Although it’s incredibly rare to see leopards in Udawalawe, a safari through this National Park shouldn’t be ruled out. Udawalawe is known for its high density of elephants, and you’re *almost* guaranteed to see them.
Udawalawe also tends to be quieter than Yala, as tourists flock there to try and catch a glimpse of a leopard.
🐘 For a tour to Udawalawe, consider joining this group tour to the park. If you’re travelling from Ella, it’s also possible to tie your tour into a safari.
A note on sustainable wildlife tourism
Over-tourism is becoming a big issue when it comes to safaris in Sri Lanka. Guides are competing to give their guests the best experience and will often get too close to the animals. This can be dangerous for both humans and animals, especially elephants.
Recently, in Sri Lanka, an incident occurred in which a driver got too close to a male elephant. The animal charged at the safari vehicle and flipped it over, forcing the tourists to flee. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, but it could have gone a very different way.
When I was on tour in Sri Lanka, we had to instruct our driver to move away from an elephant. They were getting too close, and it was clear the animal was uncomfortable as it was already trying to push a safari vehicle out of the way.
Sadly, there are minimal restrictions in place to protect the animals. If you feel your driver is getting too close or there are already too many vehicles close to the animal, don’t be afraid to ask the driver to move on. This is to protect you and the animal.
Relax on a beach
The Tangalle area is home to some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Thanks to the area being so unspoiled and untouched by commercialisation, the beaches in this area really are unmatched.
Tangalle has two main beach areas: a small beach close to the busier part of town and a long stretch of sand in the tourist area (the nice part).
The beach seems never-ending, and it’s genuinely one of the most beautiful beaches. If you keep walking down the main beach, you’ll eventually reach Dahlia Beach and Rekawa Beach.
I spent over an hour walking nearly the entire distance and barely saw another soul.
Another beautiful beach in the area is Silent Beach, about a ten-minute drive from the main town. It’s incredibly beautiful and, as the name implies, very much on the quieter side.
The main beach in Tangalle is ideally situated for a stunning sunset. Several hotels and beach bars line the beach, so grab a beer or cocktail and watch as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.
Go sightseeing and visit the Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara
There are a couple of nearby places well worth visiting on a day trip. Firstly is the Mulkirigala Rock Temple (also known as Mulkirigala Raja Maha Vihara), a beautiful Buddhist temple built into a giant rock.
Often described as a smaller (and quieter) cousin of Sigiriya, this ancient temple complex sits atop a 205-meter-high rock.
Predicted to be over 2,000 years old, the temple complex is comprised of a series of caves carved into the rock. As you explore the caves, you’ll come across various Buddhist murals and reclining Buddha statues.
If you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding area.
Mulkirigala Temple doesn’t draw anywhere near as many crowds as Sigiriya, and it’s a very peaceful experience. Even so, try to go earlier in the day to avoid the heat.
About a thirty-minute drive away from both the Temple and Tangalle is the Wewurukannala Buduraja Maha Viharaya, a giant Buddha statue that is part of a temple. It’s a great option to tag on to a day trip from Tangalle.
See turtles lay their eggs
One of the most unique things to do in Tangalle is to watch adult turtles lay their eggs. There are a couple of centres further east along the beach, including Rekawa and the Wildlife Turtle Project.
Sadly, I have heard mixed feedback on the legitimacy of these centres. One of my friends visited a few weeks before me and said the guides were allowing people to get way too close to the turtles.
They also keep baby turtles in tanks once they’ve hatched, claiming that this is in the turtles’ best interest. Sadly, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Baby turtles belong in the ocean, not tanks. Keeping them in captivity only prevents them from learning vital survival skills and can increase the risk of disease.
I’m very conscious of ethical wildlife tourism and avoiding animal exploitation, so I decided to skip this activity and instead donate to a nearby centre that I know is legit.
However, it is possible to see turtles lay their eggs without joining a tour. It’s just a matter of luck whether or not you’ll see one. I was lucky enough to see one on my last night in a quiet area of the beach.
I was the only person there, and it was a magical experience. If you are keen to go looking for nesting turtles, there are a few very important things to remember:
- Do not disturb the turtles, this includes getting too close or making loud sounds
- Give the turtle plenty of space, at least 20 metres (further if you can), and never touch the animal
- Only use a red light – most head torches have these. As tempting as it might be to shine your phone’s light at the turtle, this can cause extreme stress and even injure the turtle
- Keep it to yourself – I’m all for sharing experiences, but running to tell everyone a turtle is there will only lead to crowds and stress for the turtle. Enjoy the moment and do what’s best for the turtle.
Best time of year to visit
Tangalle can be visited throughout the year, but the best time to visit is between November and April. This is when Sri Lanka’s South Coast experiences its dry season, with the driest months generally being January, February and March.
During the dry season, tourists flock to Sri Lanka in their thousands. However, thanks to Tangalle being a little off the beaten path, it doesn’t tend to get as busy as other beach destinations in Sri Lanka.
It’s possible to visit Tangalle outside of the peak season, but be aware that many guest houses, restaurants, and bars may be closed. When I visited in October, it felt like I was the only tourist in the entire town (which was part of its charm).
It’s also tricky to swim during the wet season. The waves and currents are often very powerful, and tourists are generally advised to avoid the water. In the dry season, you’ll be rewarded with calm and turquoise waters.
Best hotels in Tangalle Beach
Looking for where to stay in Tangalle? It’s worth noting that Tangalle is still relatively underdeveloped compared to some of Sri Lanka’s other beach areas, so there aren’t many large resorts or ultra-luxurious options. Even so, there are plenty of boutique hotels and guesthouses to choose from.
I recommend finding a hotel that is located away from the main town area but close to the beach. Madilla Road and Vijaya Road are both good options – you’ll be close to the beach and the main restaurants.
On my first night in Tangalle, I made the mistake of staying in a more residential area close to the Grand Samudra hotel. While the guesthouse was lovely, it was a good thirty to forty minutes walk away from the main beach area.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Tangalle.
Budget & Mid-range
Tangalle is very budget-friendly, with numerous guesthouses and hotels offering affordable accommodations to suit all budgets and types of travellers. You can even find beachfront villas at a reasonable price.
On my last night in Tangalle, I stayed at the Cinnabar Resort, and wow – it’s STUNNING. Set right on the beach, the small complex has a beachfront bar, a beautiful pool and individual cabins. The rooms don’t have any air conditioning, but as you’re right by the beach, there’s a cool breeze throughout the night.
Other budget-friendly options include:
- Mangrove Beach Chalets for luxury right on the beach
- Ibisbird Beach Bungalows for affordable rooms or a bungalow
- The Triangle for private chalets surrounded by the jungle
Luxury
Most of the true luxury resorts are a little bit away from the main town, so you’ll need to use local transport or a tuk-tuk to get to the restaurants. It’s also worth noting that Tangalle is a lot less developed than other tourist areas of Sri Lanka, and there are only a handful of “luxury” resorts.
One of the best hotels in Tangalle is the Anantara Peace Haven. With luxury rooms, six different dining options and an incredible pool, it doesn’t get much more luxurious than this.
Kayaam House is another fantastic option, with a variety of rooms to choose from, as well as Aman Resorts.
Where to eat & drink in Tangalle
The main town of Tangalle is filled with restaurants serving up local Sri Lankan food, fresh seafood and some international favourites.
Here are a few of my favourite spots.
- Cactus Lounge (this is in the main town, but has fresh seafood and some local favourites)
- Reggae Shark Restaurant (known for its fresh seafood)
- Shady Palms (great cocktail spot and has some international food)
- Kokomos (trendy bowls)
- The Breeze (had some of the best Sri Lankan food here)
Is Tangalle safe?
I spent my first day and night in Tangalle with a friend, then the remaining days by myself. I always felt very safe in Tangalle, and relatively safe in Sri Lanka as a whole.
Sure, being a solo female traveller can sometimes draw unwanted attention from men, but that wasn’t my experience in Tangalle. All of the locals were friendly and went out of their way to make sure I was okay.
The main issue I encountered in Tangalle was the street dogs. They seemed a little more aggressive here than in some areas (I’m assuming that’s because there are fewer tourists).
It was generally okay during the day, but at night, the dogs got very territorial. I ended up befriending two dogs who accompanied me everywhere at night, and they kept other dogs away. Not sure I’d necessarily recommend that, but it just happened that way.
Another thing to note is that Tangalle isn’t the busiest of places (especially in the low season). I barely saw another tourist while I was there. While this was exactly what I needed, it’s not ideal for anyone looking to make friends and be social. Even in the busy season, the crowd tends to be couples and families rather than backpackers.
Summary: Is Tangalle Beach worth visiting?
Yes, I loved Tangalle! I’m even considering returning for a week’s holiday in the coming months. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind, and enjoy Asia’s finest beaches and ocean.
The best part is it’s very affordable, especially compared to some areas of the country. There aren’t many places in the world where you can get lovely beachfront accommodation for less than $30 per night.
Having said that, Tangalle won’t be for everyone. If you’re looking for a lively spot with plenty of nightlife and resort vibes, I suggest considering Unawatuna or Weligama instead.
Deciding between Mirissa or Tangalle? Mirissa has a little bit more going on, more nightlife, and arguably, it’s easier to meet others. Tangalle has a less developed beach, is much quieter and calmer, and arguably better for couples or those looking for some peace.
Tangalle is well-located, and it’s easy to get between the various beaches on Sri Lanka’s South Coast, so you could always tag Tangalle on for a night or two; it’s well worth it, at least in my opinion.
