Tangalle

Tangalle marks the quieter, less-developed end of the south coast, with a string of long, broad beaches separated by rocky headlands and lagoons. The open sea can be powerful here, so many travellers come for the seclusion and the boutique beach hotels rather than easy swimming, though sheltered coves like Hiriketiya draw a growing surf-and-yoga crowd. It is the closest coast town to the great deep-south wilderness parks and to the nesting turtle beaches around Rekawa, where green and leatherback turtles come ashore at night. The terraced Mulkirigala rock temple inland adds a touch of heritage to a stay built mostly around sand and slow days.