Southern Beaches & Wildlife
A perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, this itinerary takes you from colonial forts to palm-fringed beaches and a wildlife safari. In under a week, enjoy Sri Lanka's south coast sunshine, go whale watching, and spot elephants or leopards in the wild.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Colombo → Galle
Colombo • Galle
Drive to Galle
Head south ~2 hours on the expressway to Galle.
Explore Galle Fort
Explore Galle Fort, a 17th-century Dutch fortress town with charming cobblestone streets, cafes, and colonial architecture.
Sunset on Ramparts
Walk the ramparts at sunset for gorgeous ocean views.
Galle → Mirissa
Galle • Unawatuna • Mirissa
Unawatuna Beach
Unwind on the nearby Unawatuna Beach with a swim or snorkel.
Drive to Mirissa
Drive ~1 hour to Mirissa, a lively beach town.
Coconut Tree Hill
Climb Coconut Tree Hill for panoramic views of the coastline.
Mirissa → Yala Area
Mirissa • Yala
Whale Watching
Rise early for a whale watching tour (Nov–Apr) from Mirissa's harbor. A 4-hour boat excursion gives you a chance to spot blue whales and dolphins.
Transfer to Yala
Travel ~3 hours east to the Yala National Park vicinity.
Yala Safari → Colombo
Yala • Colombo
Yala Safari
Enjoy a dawn Jeep safari in Yala National Park. Watch for elephants, crocodiles, deer, and the elusive leopard.
Return to Colombo
5–6 hours drive back to Colombo with rest stops.
Colombo & Departure
Colombo
Colombo City Tour
See the Gangaramaya Temple, Pettah Market, and colonial buildings in the Fort district.
Galle Face Green
Stroll along Galle Face Green promenade to watch the locals fly kites and grab a street-food snack.
Highlights
- Galle Fort
- Mirissa Whale Watching
- Yala National Park Safari
Customization Tips
- Swap Yala for Udawalawe National Park for guaranteed elephants
- If visiting May–Oct when whales are off-season, spend the morning surfing in Weligama
Ready to go?
Use this itinerary as a template and customize it to fit your dates.