If you’re looking for a quiet retreat to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life, Tangalle is your go to destination. A four-hour drive from Colombo it’s a destination most budget travelers and visitors frequent throughout the year. It’s a modest stretch of a beach lines with mangrove forests and picturesque lagoons contributing to a sublime surrounding landscape.

Tangalle beach is located in an isolated area therefore it serves as the perfect spot for a quiet stay without much exposure to hustle of other beach towns in Sri Lanka. Turquoise waters glisten under the sun as white sandy beaches stretch for kilometers largely untouched by humanity. The town was initially a small fishing village which was largely affected by the 2004 Tsunami. Though the town offers many spectacular beaches it doesn’t attract a lot of tourists or locals therefore making it a peaceful getaway. The Tangalle beach isn’t suitable for swimming as the tides can be quite dangerous, yet the small bay with the sheltering reef is deemed a must-visit since the reef catches the waves and acts like a natural Jacuzzi. The beach itself is an ideal stretch for a good morning jog or to just bask on a sunbed. Beaches like the “silent Beach, “GoyambokkaBeach”and “Mediketiya Beach” are some of the recommended beaches to catch a gleaming sunset and wind down. If you’re up for some adventure away from the beaches consider “Mulkirigala Rock Temples. Situated just 16km away to the northwest of Tangalle the temple is perched on a rocky hill which can be accessed 500 stone steps. Five clefts like stone caves can be found situated on five different terrace levels. Surrounded by a grove of coconut trees and verdant green forests the atmosphere here is otherworldly. A reclining Buddha statue can be found within the caves of the temple along with other breathtaking sculptures. Several paintings dating back to the 18th century can be found adorning the walls of the temple.Kalametiya Bird sanctuary is the perfect destination for the avid nature enthusiasts. A haven for wildlife since 1983 the sanctuary houses a diverse mix of habitats such as mangrove swamps, lagoons and open grasslands which makes it the perfect destination to spot both land dwelling and marine animals alike. Birdwatching trips and trekking can be arranged with the help of the local tour guides. It is home to some nationally threatened bird species and 38 species of nationally and internationally threated reptile species which makes it an important conservatory. 12 kilometers away from Tangalle you find the only blowhole in Sri Lanka ad considered to be the second largest blowhole in the world.Hummanaya is a natural blowhole that has been converted into a tourist attraction where a platform has been built for travelers to view the spray of water which can sometimes reach heights of 82 – 98 ft.

Tangalle might offer far less compared to a lot of beach side destinations Sri Lanka can offer, nevertheless for those of you who price the peace and quiet along with the best of other coastal destinations of the island Tangalle won’t surely go amiss. It’s the perfect rendition of subtlety along with the just the right amounts of adventure.