Down South Sri Lanka "natural coastal resorts with sun, sea and surf" and lovely beaches
This is the perfect island to enjoy surfing in a great natural environment with awesome peoples.
Big open beach with a cafe and beach shop. Large car park and well lifeguarded. Stay away from the reef and the rest of the beach is quiet and safe. Good selection of accommodation within walking distance.
More beach information at Sri Lanka Island Tours
The Dondra Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka, positioned at the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka, Dondra Head in the Matara District. It is about six kilometers southeast of the Matara city. It stands 49 meters (161 feet) tall and is clearly visible from a distance as a freestanding white monolith. The range of the lighthouse is about 28 nautical miles or 52 kilometers. It was designed by Sir James Nicholas Douglass of the Imperial Lighthouse Service. The lighthouse was commissioned in March 1880 and the stone was brought in from Scotland and Cornwall. If you want modern architecture combined with scenic views, it is one of the best places to see in Sri Lanka.
It is currently under the control of Sri Lanka Ports Authority and is maintained by them on a regular basis.
Dondra Lighthouse is an octagonal brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, Dondra head lighthouse built in 1890.
This lighthouse was designed by James Douglass and constructed by William Douglass of the Imperial Lighthouse Service. This is the tallest (161ft) lighthouse in Sri Lanka, and stands on the southernmost tip near the village of Dondra.
The Dondra Lighthouse was built during the colonial period when the British were ruling Ceylon country. It was originally designed in 1889 by James Douglas and constructed by William Douglas of Imperial Lighthouse Services. Dondra Light house is the highest lighthouse in Asia. It is 161feet in height and contains 7 floors, 14 two panel yellow colour windows and 196 steps to the top. All the building material including bricks, steel were imported from England. The lighthouse is still active and helps guide ships and boats which sail on the Indian Ocean. Over 250 ships are said to pass this area daily, although they have GPS ,most of them use the signals beamed by the lighthouse. It also transmits radio wave signals to surrounding lighthouses in Sri Lanka.
Location: Southernmost point of Sri Lanka, near the city of Matara.
Height Focal Plane: 153ft
Construction Completed in 1889
Good TukTuk drivers can arrange taxis and tours in and around Polhena and Matara. There are some great tours to see in Sri Lanka
Mr Pathum Kosala is a “happy and friendly” Tuk Tuk driver and local guide – highly recommended.
A well presented young man – good English and huge smile 🙂
Call him +9477 540 3039
or contact via facebook
Suresh operates a first class service with his air conditioned Toyota Car.
He is based “down south” between Matara and Galle, he operates throughout Sri Lanka with a pickup car service from the main airport in Colombo. He has great local knowledge and speak very good English.
The airport pickup service is a fixed fee – enquire for details
Explore the delight of Sri Lanka’s South Coast whilst staying in Osans Home – a quality guest house with a laid-back atmosphere and a perfect location.
Oshan’s Home, a hidden gem situated next to the picturesque Polhena Beach in Sri Lanka.
When you arrive at Oshan’s Home, you are greeted with warm smiles and friendly faces. The guest house boasts four comfortable bedrooms, each equipped with its own bathroom, which offers privacy and convenience. The rooms are spacious and well-lit, with ample natural light streaming through the windows. The beds are large and comfortable, with mosquito nets and soft sheets that guarantee a good night’s sleep after a day filled with adventure.
Just one of the highlights of Oshan’s Home is the owner himself, Oshan. He is a knowledgeable and experienced snorkel guide who will take you on a snorkelling safari to some of the best spots on the Sri Lanka south coast. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced, Oshan will tailor the experience to your skill level, ensuring you have the time of your life. Bring your waterproof camera and make some great youtube and Instagram videos to increase you subscribers and following!
During the safari, Oshan will take you to sea turtle habitats and show you tropical fish, which makes for an unforgettable experience. The icing on the cake is the spectacular scenery that surrounds the surfing spots, with the azure blue water of the Indian Ocean. You will see some of the best and most stunning sunsets from the garden BBQ area that leave you breathless.
Oshans father, Ajith, creates some of the best batik artwork in Sri Lanka, these are for decoration on the wall back at home or wonderful and colourful designs on tee shirts and beach clothing,
But the excitement doesn’t end there. After a long day of surfing, you can retreat to Oshan’s Home and indulge in some of the best food in Sri Lanka. Oshan’s breakfasts are a feast for the senses, with freshly squeezed juice, seasonal fruit, homemade bread, and eggs cooked to perfection. The evening BBQs are equally impressive, with fresh seafood, marinated meats, and a variety of vegetarian options that cater to all dietary needs. All this whilst listening to some great reggae and feeling the vibe.
The atmosphere during dinner is laid-back, with good music and cool vibes that make you feel right at home. You can enjoy your meal under the stars, with the sound of the ocean providing the perfect soundtrack for your evening. The team are attentive and accommodating, ensuring that you have everything you need to enjoy your stay.
Oshan’s Home is perfectly situated next to Polhena Beach, which is a paradise for nature lovers. The beach is known for its coral reefs, and if you are lucky, you can spot dolphins and whales that swim close to the shore. You can also take a stroll along the beach and explore the quaint surfing spots and local village all within easy walking or tuktuk rides.
If you are looking for a bit of local adventure, Oshan’s Home can arrange for you to go on a whale watching tour or visit one of the many cultural landmarks in the area. The team are both friendly and knowledgeable about the local area and can provide you with all the information you need to make the most of your stay in Sri Lanka.
Oshan Snorkelling Safari Trips
Your guide and snorkelling buddy is Oshan Kawinda who snorkels most days between the Polhena Beach or Madia beach and the coral reef that provides both protection from the surf and a natural breeding habitat for sea life.
Oshan has all the gear all you have to do is book and turn up with your swimming attire which is just shorts and a Tee Shirt.
Snorkelling is a wonderful sea activity for adults and children, Snorkeling Safari Trips Polhena and Madiha Sri Lanka. You can enjoy swimming in the hot Indian Ocean, see tropical fishes and sometimes turtles.
There is no better place to experience Snorkelling Safari Trips than in Polhena and Madiha on the southern point of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is also a hub for marine life because of its unique position in the Indian Ocean, which makes it an ideal spot for scuba diving and snorkelling.
Normally in Sri Lanka because of the monsoon seasons, west coast diving and snorkelling is generally best from November to April whilst the east coast waters are at their calmest April – September. However, thanks to the Polhena coral reef, this sheltered water is available for most if not all of the year.
With snorkelling you use a special tube called snorkel to breathe when you are submerged, while you require special equipments for scuba diving like oxygen. The advantages of snorkelling includes the ease of doing it and because you are breathing normal air you can snorkel on the surface and watch the beauty of the ocean and reef area underneath you for as long as you like. There is no air tank to restrain your duration.
Often seen in their natural marine habitat are
Come and join Oshan on his snorkelling safari trips between Madiha Point and Polhena Beach. Beautiful sea life and corals to discover with just you, your swim gear, mask and snorkel – all in beautiful other natures aquatic play ground.
Call Oshan now to arrange a trip
tel:+94715743895
email oshan@polhena.com
Snorkelling is a wonderful sea activity for adults and children, Snorkeling Safari Trips Polhena and Madiha Sri Lanka. You can enjoy swimming in the hot Indian Ocean, see tropical fishes and sometimes turtles. There is no better place to experience Snorkelling Safari Trips than in Polhena and Madiha on the southern point of Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka is also a hub for marine life because of its unique position in the Indian Ocean, which makes it an ideal spot for scuba diving and snorkelling.
With snorkelling you use a special tube called snorkel to breathe when you are submerged, while you require special equipments for scuba diving like oxygen. The advantages of snorkelling includes the ease of doing it and because you are breathing normal air you can snorkel on the surface and watch the beauty of the ocean and reef area underneath you for as long as you like. There is no air tank to restrain your duration.
Normally in Sri Lanka because of the monsoon seasons, west coast diving and snorkelling is generally best from November to April whilst the east coast waters are at their calmest April – September. However, thanks to the Polhena coral reef, this sheltered water is available for most if not all of the year.
Often seen in their natural marine habitat are
Polhena Diving Center is an the diving centre in Polhena. Founded in 2016 and listed as a PADI Certified Dive Resort, the company has been committed to providing professional and fun filled approach to deliver excellence and value to customers from around the world.
PADI recognized dive resort. S-26840
Polhena Diving Center is established in 2016, And is a PADi certified dive resort. We are one of the very few scuba diving centers in Sri Lanka who’s focused on marine conservation through various initiatives and research.
Polhena Diving Center is a small but proud member of Sri Lankan PADi Diving industry who is an active contributor for ProjectAware submitting dive site data and coral reef health reports. We enjoy getting our clients involved in our conservation programs and inspiring them to be the ambassadors for the ocean.
We offer:
We conduct all levels of PADI Courses from DSD through to Divemaster Level. We can teach in English and Sinhalese.
We are fully equipped with all sizes of rental dive equipment and running our dives and PADI Courses with our 19m and 23m diving boats.
Our daily dive operations happen mainly around the beautiful and serene village of Madiha,a stone’s throw from the polhena cove, where the grown coral reef softens the peak waves so that it is safe to swim and makes perfect for snorkeling. Turtles and lots of fish are a familiar site.
In general we are diving in small groups with max. 6 Fun Divers and one Dive Guide (Dive Master or Diveinstructor).
We also offer Day and Night Snorkeling Trips in our beautiful Polhena Reef
http://polhenadiving.compolhenadiving.com
At Ajith Beach Clothes and Design – Madiha & Polhena Sri Lanka you will find unique clothing for the beach and souvenirs to take home to family and friends.
Sea Life Hotel is in Polhena on the beach road and enjoys beautiful views of the world famous surf and beach.
There are 7 rooms all with private bathrooms and either sea views or jungle views.
Independently verified hotel destinations for your assurance