South Coast

Beach towns, a Dutch fort, and whale watching out of Mirissa

The south coast is where most first-time visitors spend their beach days, and the towns each do something different: Galle for the fort and its ramparts, Mirissa for whale watching season and a quieter stretch of sand, Hikkaduwa for reef snorkelling close to shore, Bentota and Tangalle for resort stays with less of a crowd. Distances between towns are short, so it is realistic to base in one and day-trip to the others rather than moving hotels every night.