Ahungalla Holidays

Peaceful plot

Comparing Ahungalla to a snail’s pace might be a little speedy for this diddy seaside town. Life chugs along at less than a crawl, and most days are spent bronzing on the town’s big slice of sand. A few XL-sized hotels – like the Heritance Ahungalla – make the most of the snoozy seafront surroundings, and the countryside backdrop keeps the volume down to a whisper.

Time to explore

When you’re not laid starfish-style on the shoreline, there are plenty of contenders to fill your days. Hop in one of the tuk-tuks, and you can check out a local spice garden or a shop peddling Sri Lanka’s trademark Ceylon tea. For a full day’s exploring, an hour’s drive gets you to lively Galle. Fishing fans can watch locals perched like herons in the shallows, and the centre of town’s flush with Colonial-inspired mansions, a fortress that spans the centuries and a supporting cast of shops and snack joints.

Nearby nature

Manmade must-sees are nudged to one side when you look north of Ahungalla. A 10-minute taxi jaunt gets you to the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project – one of the leading rescue centres in Sri Lanka. The beach here’s a fave for nesting turtles, and the centre keeps locals clued up on why it’s important to look after these loveable critters. Then there’s Maduganga Lake, which lists wildlife-spotting and boat trips among its strengths. Take a closer look at some of the pint-sized islands bobbing in the centre, and you’ll see Buddhist monasteries among the trees.