Weather in Unawatuna

About Unawatuna

Unawatuna curves as a perfect crescent of golden sand backed by casuarina palms, with the 16th-century Dutch fortress of Galle presiding from the adjacent peninsula. This beach achieves the rare balance of being accessible yet unspoiled, with excellent snorkeling reefs visible from shore.

Country

Sri Lanka

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

LKR

Language

Sinhala, English

Things to do in Unawatuna

Snorkeling trips to nearby coral reefs Dutch fort Galle exploration and tours Beachside Ayurvedic spa treatments Sunset boat fishing excursions Turtle conservation centre visits Local restaurant chef cooking classes

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

29C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

February

30C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

March

30C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

April

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

May

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

June

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

July

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

August

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

September

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

October

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

November

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

December

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

Unawatuna is the south coast's classic crescent beach — a sheltered curve of golden sand backed by palm trees, with a coral reef close enough to snorkel from shore and a string of guesthouses and beach bars right on the sand. It's a relaxed base for exploring nearby Galle Fort, watching turtles on the beach, or just settling into hammock-and-curry life for a few days.

Best areas to stay in Unawatuna

Unawatuna Beach

The main crescent of sand, lined with guesthouses, bars and restaurants right on the beachfront.

Rumassala Hill

A forested headland with a temple and viewpoints overlooking the bay and coastline.

Galle Fort

A short tuk-tuk ride away — the UNESCO-listed Dutch fort with ramparts, boutiques and cafes.

Jungle Beach

A smaller, quieter cove over the headland, popular for a calmer alternative to the main beach.

Getting to Unawatuna

✈

Flights

Fly into Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo), then travel south by train or car.

⏱

From London

~13-15 hours from London including a transfer at Colombo plus the onward journey to the south coast.

🚕

Getting around

Tuk-tuks are the easiest way around; the coastal train line also stops nearby.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Unawatuna?

December to April, during the dry season on the south coast, when the sea is calm and swimmable.

Is Unawatuna good for swimming?

Yes — its bay is sheltered by a reef, making it one of the safer swimming beaches on the south coast, though rip currents can appear outside the flagged areas.

How far is Unawatuna from Galle Fort?

About 10-15 minutes by tuk-tuk, making it an easy base for day trips into the fort.

Is Unawatuna budget-friendly?

Yes — it has a wide range of guesthouses and beachfront cafes at prices well below Western beach resorts.

Can I see turtles in Unawatuna?

Yes — turtles regularly nest on the beach and can often be spotted feeding just offshore while snorkelling.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Woke up to the sea right outside our room and spent the whole stay moving between hammock, beach and the curry stalls. Galle Fort was an easy half-day trip.

Holly P. · February 2024

★★★★☆

Beach was lovely and calm enough to swim properly, though it does get busy with day-trippers from Galle by mid-morning.

Marc D. · January 2024

★★★★★

Snorkelled straight off the beach and saw a turtle within minutes. Rumassala Hill walk at sunset was a great way to see the whole bay.

Priya N. · March 2024