Excursions

Unawatuna offers travelers an abundance of attractions to engage in no matter what the age. Tourists could take advantage of the location of the Gloria Grand Hotel to explore the area and discover the diversity of its traditions and not to mention some must see sites and experiences which should include the Dutch Fort, Rumassala, Hiyare rain forest, Whale Watching, Boat Safari, Dutch Museum, Surfing, Snorkeling, diving and the Yala National Park.

YALA NATIONAL PARK

Perhaps the most visited park in the country, Yala is also the second largest of Sri Lanka's national parks. The park comprises five blocks of which two have been opened to the public along with the adjoining parks. Once inside the park, tourists will find many a willing guide who will take tourists in jeeps on safaris along its dirt roads. A safari at Yala offers plenty of photo opportunities to become acquainted with the local wildlife.

WHALE WATCHING

Another advantage of being in Unawatuna is its close proximity to Mirissa which in recent years has seen a surge in popularity towards whale watching tours. Mirissa is considered the closest point to where blue whales inhabit local waters owing to the appropriate environmental conditions. Last year it was reported that the area saw five types of whales and four kinds of dolphins.

UNAWATUNA BEACH

The Unawatuna beach is shallow and crescent shaped. While it is protected by a natural reef from the open sea owing to its shape it forms almost a natural swimming pool. Its turquoise colored water and gentle waves that brush against swimmers is the perfect way to relax while enjoying the colorful marine life it holds beneath its waters.

UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK

The Udawalawe National Park was established to provide a sanctuary for the local wildlife displaced by the construction of the udawalawe reservoir. Prior to it being designated as a national park Udawalawe was once used for shift cultivation. The park is especially important for the local water birds and elephants. It is also the third most visited park in the island.

TURTLE WATCHING

Sri Lanka boasts about 5 varieties of sea turtles – those include the Olive Ridley Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Green Turtle,Hawksbill Turtle and Leatherhead Turtle. Incidentally, some of the perfect nesting habitats exist in Unawatuna and Galle and a visit to a turtle hatchery or farm is worth the trip. In addition to it being an enjoyable excursion, most of the turtle farms and hatcheries in the area are non profit and rely on the generosity of its visitors to protect these beautiful creatures.

THE DUTCH FORT

The Galle Fort situated on the South coast of Sri Lanka was built in the 1500s by the Portuguese but later captured by the Dutch and fortified extensively. It stands today as a UNESCO recognized heritage site and still retains its old world charm.Much of the buildings within the fort have retained its colonial architecture and is almost a page taken out of time for travellers who can spare to wonder through its streets.

SNORKELING AND DIVING

With its crescent shaped beach Unawatuna is perhaps the perfect location to indulge in some scuba diving and snorkeling.PADI certified instructors and training schools are quite common in Unawatuna and divers have the option of being taken on a guided tour of some beautiful coral reefs or more exciting guides like swimming through sunken ship wrecks which can also be found nearby.

RUMASSALA

The subject of many legends, the Rumassala mountain range is featured in the famed Ramanyana saga. In the story the range is the abode of queen Sita who remains hidden in the jungle. The legend has it that Hanuman who carried the Himalayan mountain dropped a piece of it at Unawatuna.It is from this that some claim Unawatuna derived its name and from this story which some attribute the beginnings of the formation of the present mountain range.

HIYARE RAIN FOREST

The Hiyare rain forest is perhaps one of Galle's natural treasures. The lowland rain forest and reservoir at one time supplied water to Galle's residents. The very name of the rain forest originates from a term which means a hundred streams. Conservationists have observed more than 30 species of fresh water fish in the area which is currently managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle.

FISHING

Unawatung being a coastal town situated along a beautiful stretch of beach its little wonder that tourists are bound to see lots of little trawlers wading its waters. For the more adventurous traveler for a fee some trawler owners will be more than willing to have guests on their boat as they set out to see for an early morning fishing routine.

DUTCH ERA MUSEUM

The Dutch Museum in Galle is another attraction within the Galle Fort. It's set up inside one of the oldest Dutch buildings in the Fort and was constructed during the 1600s. The Department of national museums is responsible for its development and up keep and was opened to the public during the 1980s. The museum displays a wide range of archaeological and anthropological objects pieced together from the Southern region. In addition large water vessels, V.O.C. porcelain objects and arms and weapons used by the Dutch soldiers are also on display.

BOAT SAFARI

With Unawatuna being a coastal town, its shore line is dotted with numerous boats offering Safaris to tourists. The hotel which is just 100 meters from the towns coastal beaches is where travelers could take a boat ride on a glass bottom boat and enjoy the beautiful marine life that this area has to offer.