Places to visit in Tangalle
Tangalle, a lovely tropical paradise on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, is known for its unending sandy shores, turquoise ocean, stunning bays, and mangroves, as well as a few historically significant sites and other attractions. This town is peaceful and retains its charm because few travellers stop by to visit. The best times to take a stroll along the sandy beaches are around sunset and dawn. Visit Tangalle, the perfect destination for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka, and discover its various attractions, including the Hummanya Blow Hole and fun activities like turtle watching at Rekawa and bird watching at the Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary. Here are 10 awesome places to visit in Tangalle.
1. Dondra Head Lighthouse
One of the coolest places to visit in Tangalle is Dondra Head Lighthouse, which rises to a height of 160 feet, and is the tallest in Sri Lanka. Sir James Nicholas Douglass planned it, and William Douglass of the Imperial Lighthouse Service built it in 1889. All of the building’s raw materials came from the British Isles, specifically from Wales and Scotland’s granite rock quarries. Inside the lighthouse, it has 7 storeys. The lighthouse contains 14 two-panel yellow windows, and there are 196 stairs leading up to the top. But be aware that only with specific permission from the government is access to the summit permitted. Its distinctive feature is a 5-second white flash with a range of 28 nautical miles and a focal plane height of 153m. Additionally, the Dondra Head Lighthouse in Sri Lanka broadcasts radio waves to nearby lighthouses. The Dondra Lighthouse was featured in old movies because it was so stunning. It served as the basis for the 1955 film “Soldiers of Fortune: Pearls off Dondra Head.” The Sri Lanka Ports Authority currently runs and maintains the Dondra Head Lighthouse.
2. Goyambokka Beach
Goyambokka Beach might be worth a look if you’re having difficulties picking which of the many fantastic beaches in the area to select. It is a very well-liked beach and a welcoming location for families. Goyambokka beach is characterized by its clear blue waters that are ideal for swimming and diving. It is advised that you bring a snorkelling kit with you to Goyambokka if you truly want to have the finest swimming experience possible. Marine life is widespread in the water. Here, colourful fish, crabs, and lobsters reside. If you’re extremely fortunate, you could even get to see a rare sea turtle. There are many palm trees that provide gentle shade for visitors, and the beach enjoys a calm and relaxing atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Sip on your preferred cocktail or juice as you unwind on the sun loungers. So, make sure that you include Goyambokka beach in your itinerary as it is one of the best places to visit in Tangalle.
3. Hummanaya Blow Hole
The only blowhole in Sri Lanka and the second-largest of its sort in the world is called Hummanaya. It is one of the most iconic places to visit in Tangalle. Seawater enters through a submerged tunnel and is forced upward where water will rise due to pressure exerted from the sea’s surface, creating the blowhole. The magnificent spray is produced when the water pressure increases once every 10-15 minutes or so. The blow hole’s sounds can be heard even from a great distance away. There are brief moments of silence interspersed by thunderous “Ho-ho-ho” noises that may be heard in the distance. If the sea waves are wild and powerful, they can blow up to 25 to 30 m. To have a decent view of the blowhole, you need to go to the blowhole between April and September every year. You can purchase several types of fried fish, refreshing beverages, and seafood from vendors on your journey to Hummanaya.
4. Silent Beach
The Tangalle region’s Silent Beach is stunning. The beach is in front of the luxury Amanwella resort. As the name implies, the beach is quiet and private, allowing guests to unwind and get away from the daily bustle. Silent Beach contains stunning white sand, a beautiful sea, and a lengthy stretch of palm trees. This beach can only be reached by taking a long, picturesque journey through a few nearby beachside villages. This means that in addition to being quite private, the beach also offers a peek at the lovely Sri Lankan culture. It takes ten minutes to walk to the popular and bustling Goyombokka beach from here.
5. Ussangoda National Park
The 21st national park to be established in Sri Lanka is Ussangoda National Park. Without a doubt, this location has drawn people in because it is a fascinating place devoid of flora that appears to have red soil. There are some clearly defined circular areas of vegetation, although these don’t have any tall trees. The more scientific theory holds that Ussangoda is a piece of the meteorite that transformed over time after it struck this location long ago. So a meteorite is what caused the earth to turn red. This may also be partially true because the cliff’s midsection contains some sort of crystal after the usual cobblestone pebbles were fractured. The mineral rocks are similar to quartz. Additionally, Ussangoda, which includes both land and water habitats, is a crucial sea turtle nesting ground.
6. Hiriketiya Beach
Formerly a tranquil hidden gem on Sri Lanka’s south coast, Hiriketiya Bay is one of the best places to visit in Tangalle for surfing. The bay’s horseshoe shape deflects prevailing easterly or westerly breezes, ensuring safe swimming and surfing conditions all year round. Hiriketiya Bay offers a challenge for surfers of all skill levels with waves flowing in for 10 months out of the year. While the waves are at their best from August through December, the peak season’s lesser swell from December through February is ideal for amateurs. You can hire a surfboard from many surf shacks. A rustic beach cafe and bar can be found along the palm-lined beach that wraps around the bay, making it the ideal location for your beach holiday.
7. Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary
The oldest bird sanctuary in Sri Lanka and a popular spot for bird watching is Kalametiya. It is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Tangalle. It was initially named a bird sanctuary in 1938 but was later abolished in 1946 as a result of resident pressure. In 1984, a somewhat smaller area was once more designated as a sanctuary. Because of its coastal lagoons, mangrove swamps, scrub jungles, and open grassy areas, it contains a variety of marine and birds. The reserve is home to more than 150 species of birds, many of which migrate there to avoid the subzero conditions of Siberia, Scandinavia, and Western Europe. Between November and March, the migratory species make their way to Kalametiya to nest and roost. Many species that are nationally threatened, like the Indian reef heron, glossy ibis, and Sri Lankan jungle fowl, may be seen along the trip. In addition to birds, the sanctuary is home to 20 species of animals, 41 species of fish, and 38 species of reptiles. This is a truly inspirational place to visit.
8. Rekawa Beach
Rekawa is one of the most interesting places to visit in Tangalle to watch sea turtles. Several sea turtle species that are at risk of extinction have been observed to gather on Rekawa’s southern golden beaches. In Rekawa, April to July is the best time to observe turtles because 5 to 15 turtles make a nightly visit to the beach during this time. Every night of the year, loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley, green, and leatherback turtles lay their eggs in the sand here. when a very bright moon is present during the night, it makes it easier to observe the activity. There are some limitations on lighting, torches, and touching the turtles. Rekawa is a great place to unwind and take in the wonders of nature aside from seeing turtle eggs hatch. The beach offers a variety of lodging alternatives, from beach huts to boutique hotels, as well as a few good dining and drinking establishments.
9. Mulkirigala Rock Temple
Mulkirigala temples, also known as Mulkirigala Raja Maha Viharaya are a venerable collection of Buddhist temples that makes it one of the best places to visit in Tangalle for every traveller. It was built in the 3rd century AD. The temple and its caves also house a sizable collection of Kandyan-era sculptures and murals that are quit similar to the Dambulla cave temple. The majority of which show scenes from the Buddha’s life. The Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle), the first translation of which made Sri Lanka’s early history accessible to Europeans, was composed using Pali manuscripts discovered in this monastery’s monastic library by a British official in 1826. The Lower Temple Compound, Siyambalamaluwa, Bomaluwa, the Royal Temple Compound, and the Upper Temple Compound are the 5 key areas in the temple premises. To reach the seven caves, you must hike more than 500 steps along curving routes up the side of the cliff. As you pass the terraces on your way to the summit, take in the beautiful views of your surroundings.
10. Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project
Sea turtles that frequent the coast are protected by the Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project, a marine turtle conservation organisation. The loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley, green, and leatherback turtles are among the endangered sea turtle species that are known to congregate on Rekawa’s southern golden beaches. Join the turtle-watching volunteers as they patrol the beach at night to keep the mother turtles safe while they lay their eggs. You’ll also help collect the eggs, which are then taken to the project’s hatcheries where they are cared for until the young turtles are born and released back into the water. The greatest time to visit the conservation centre is any time of the year, but if you’re interested in seeing a turtle lay her eggs, the optimal time is from April to July when 5 to 15 turtles make nightly trips to the shore.
Places to visit in Tangalle
