Tangalle is one of those Sri Lankan beaches made for paradise seekers. It’s a bit harder to reach as it’s dislocated from the usual Sri Lanka route but so worth a visit! This means that few tourists visit Tangalle, creating a more tranquil experience.
Top things to do in Tangalle
Enjoy the beach
Since the beaches of Tangalle are located in an isolated area, it serves as the perfect retreat for relaxing away from the hustle of the city. Almost all day you can’t see anybody at the entire coastline. Couple of tourists maximum around the resorts, walking or trying the water. This spit of land on the edge of the Indian Ocean is lined with mangrove vegetation with many beautiful lagoons. This beach attracts a lot of travellers and visitors throughout the year. The cozy accommodations combined with the sublime surroundings, makes Tangalle Beach a perfect holiday destination.
The currents around Tangalle are crazy strong though. Be careful once entering the ocean, it might surprise you!
Visit the lagoon
If you want to slow and be aware of nature, this is the right place. The best time is 1 hour before sunset, when it’s not that crazy warm anymore, and there is still light. You can see clouds of birds, and listen the frogs evening song.
In the hotels around the lagoon you can also rent kayak and floaters, so you can visit the entire lagoon by yourself. Normally, you don’t need to pay for a floater at the hotel. You can use a floater near the bank by yourself. We have asked, they say there is no crocodile in the lagoon. But it seems to be their perfect location, so it’s better to be careful.
Go for a Safari at Ugadawalawe National Park
Get back to nature and look for elephants and other wild animals on a safari tour to the Udawalawe National Park. Whilst there, keep your eyes out for the thriving elephant population, as well as a multitude of other animal species.
This National Park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. The reserve covers 30,821 hectares of land area and was established on 30 June 1972. Before the designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation. The farmers were gradually removed once the national park was declared. The park is 165 kilometres from Colombo. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third-most visited park in the country.
Visit the Yala National Park
Yala National Park is the second-largest wildlife park in Sri Lanka. You can learn all about the incredible surrounding wildlife if you visit the park.
This is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public, and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names. The park covers 979 square kilometres and is located about 300 kilometres from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.
South Coast Bike Tour
You can explore the hidden gems of the countryside of Tangalle on a cycling tour. Follow your guide to an archaeological temple, visit local markets, cycle through coconut plantations, and more. You can book your tour right below.
Take a romantic walk at sunset
Nothing is more romantic than a walk at sunset, while listening the waves of ocean. The sand is still warm under your feet and some lights are adding even more romanticism to the ambient. Tangalle’s coastline is a perfect place to enjoy the golden lights at sunset.
How to get to Tangalle
From Ella by bus
The easiest way to reach Tangalle beach is from Ella. If you choose public transportation then you can board a train till Ella and from there you will get direct buses to Tangalle. It takes about 4 hours to reach Tangalle Beach from there.
From Ella by tuk-tuk
We have been using our own tuk-tuk to get to Tangalle and the roads were more than fine. You have couple of options. We have chosen the fastest way – on A2 till Hambantotta and followed the coastal road there till Tangalle Beach.
The B35 road from Buttala to (Sella) Kataragama is open to the public, as well. It’s closed off in the evenings though and is not the safest road to drive through, because it goes deeper into Yala National Park and there is a high chance to meet random wild elephants there.
Where to stay in Tangalle
If you are looking for these amazing views, go to Lagoon Paradise Beach Resort. You can rent rooms there of course, or you can just get a daily pass to enjoy their facilities, pool, cocktails, so on, while you can take thousands of amazing pictures at their coast & enjoy their beach restaurant, the Big Crocodile.
If you are looking for other options – there are many great resorts here around, take a look at the below map!
Best beaches around Tangalle
If you are looking for more beaches around Tangalle or overall in Sri Lanka, don’t miss our article about the most amazing beaches in the country. Sri Lanka’s beaches are well known for their idyllic scenery and excellent surfing conditions. From east to west, every beach has its own unique character. But – depending on your preferences – you might find good or better options. Here we are listing our favourites, the 10 best beaches in Sri Lanka as per our taste. Enjoy & let us know if you had the chance to visit any of them!
Enjoy our discounts in the place
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