Crescent bay
Turquoise water.
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A palm-fringed crescent bay about five kilometres south-east of Galle, one of the best-known beaches on Sri Lanka's south coast, with turquoise water, golden sand and coral close to shore. Rocks at either end shelter the bay, so the water turns calm in the dry season and is good for swimming and snorkelling, while the nearby depths hold colourful fish and old wrecks that draw divers. At the western end rises the forested Rumassala hill, with small, quiet Jungle Beach behind it, and the trees around here are home to the purple-faced langur, an endangered monkey found only in Sri Lanka. The beach is free. The best season is December to April, when the sea is calm; during the south-west monsoon the waves get rough. Restaurants and cafes line the sand, so ask about halal food.
Turquoise water.
Behind the hill.
Over coral.
Unawatuna, about 5 km south-east of Galle
December to April, when the sea is calm; the waves get rough during the south-west monsoon.