LOCATION

Woolamai Beach House is located in Thalpe, a quiet village situated on one of Southern Sri Lanka's most stunning stretches of coastline.

Thalpe is ideally located two hours from Colombo Bandaranake International Airport, fifteen minutes from the UNESCO world heritage listed Galle Fort and moments from some of the most beautiful beaches and beachside restaurants in the region.

THALPE

Step out your front door onto the beautiful Thalpe Beach. Or visit Dallawella (Wijaya) Beach, just a kilometre up the road and arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka. Formed by a protective reef and dramatic rock formations, Dallawella's calm beach lagoon is ideal for swimming and snorkelling and is overlooked by an idyllic beach bar (Wijaya Beach), the perfect vantage point for turtle spotting.  

Just minutes inland, lush tropical jungle gives way to Buddhist temples, padi fields, Sinhalese villages, tea estates and spice plantations. Explore narrow country lanes by bicycle tour, lunch at historic Illuketia, a 200 year old plantation house set within beautiful tropical gardens, or visit a working tea estate with 150 year old machinery still in use.

KOGGOLA

Fifteen minutes from Thalpe lies the peaceful beach hamlet of Koggala and the Koggala Turtle Hatchery, a not for profit organization hatching and releasing turtles carefully into the ocean and treating turtles sick or injured by fishing nets. A must visit for children. Or for those without children lunch and a swim at the beautiful 

GALLE FORT

Fifteen minutes from Thalpe, the historic walled city of Galle Fort was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century. A living reminder of Sri Lanka's colonial past, fortified walls enclose a town of narrow streets, historic churches and Dutch colonial buildings, many of which have been thoughtfully restored to house magnificent hotels and guesthouses and a brilliant selection of res­taurants, cafés, galleries and boutiques.

UNAWATUNA

Five minutes from Thalpe, Unawatuna is a wide crescent shaped swimming beach lined with beachside restaurants offering bottomless boat rides, swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling. Behind the beach lie laneways of backpacker style accomodation and hipster cafes with excellent food and coffee.  On the hillside at the end of Unawatuna beach stands the Japanese Peace Pagoda, constructed in 2005 by Japanese monks as part of a scheme to build peace temples in conflict zones and a beautiful place from which to watch the sunset.

DEWATA

Ten minutes from Thalpe, nestled behind a chaotic stretch of road on the outskirts of Galle, this crescent shaped cove lined with surf schools has steady swell and is ideal for beginner boogie boarding and surfing, with beautiful views across the bay to the Unawatuna hillside and the Japanese Peace Pagoda.

WELIGAMA

A scenic half an hour drive, past the stilt fishermen of Ahangama and the famous Taprobane island, Weligama is set on a picturesque bay filled with  colorful fishing boats. A great swimming or surfing beach with some great dining options to round out a day trip.

MIRISSA

Ten minutes further on from Weligama, MIrissa Beach, great swimming and surfing for older children and adults with medium sized clean surf breaks and toes in the sand beach restaurants. From November to March blue whales and sperm whales can be viewed just off the coast of Mirissa on whale watching tours.