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The quietest, most deserted and calm beach of Sri Lanka on the southern coast is Koggala.

Distance from the airport - 135 km. Koggala Beach is endlessly wide and long,

with soft fine sand.

There is also infrastructure in Koggala - large hotels and restaurants, but here everything is so harmoniously and unobtrusively intertwined with the generous greenery of palm trees and jungle thickets that it seems that only you and the ocean are present here!

KOGGALA is truly a paradise in the south of Sri Lanka, an endless four-kilometer beach bordered by a dense strip of green thickets.

At the same time, in Koggala you can find all the necessary amenities - restaurants, outdoor showers, toilets, supermarket, bus station.

There are no noisy bars or discos here, so Koggala Beach is perfect for families with children, a romantic getaway or a yoga retreat.

Beach and ocean

Koggala Beach is wide and clean, with soft, fine, pleasant sand, almost deserted and ideal for a relaxing time, playing with children, leisurely walks at sunset, morning or evening jogging and meditation.

The beach will appeal to those who come for the beauty of untouched nature, romance, silence and privacy - there are no animators, noisy bars, boat stations, and the endless expanses of the beach are not occupied by sun loungers, tables, etc.

The entrance to the ocean from Koggala beach is smooth, there are no stones, debris or jellyfish.

Best swimming spots:

The most convenient and safest way to swim is in front of the Long Beach hotel - the water is several meters deep, equally knee-deep, the waves are usually not very large, but require care and vigilance. They can suddenly somersault :) Rip currents are not often observed in this place, but it is better to swim carefully and not swim far.

Lagoon

The water level in the deepest parts of the lagoon reaches the chin of an adult, and the waves crash against the coral reef and lose their pressure. The bottom of the lagoon is sandy, but sometimes there are rocks. The safe place for swimming is marked with rope floats and red flags, behind which large rocks and underwater corals begin.

The entrance to the lagoon is strewn with small sharp pebbles and shells, which vacationers and locals like to collect, and it is more convenient to enter the water on them in corrals.

How to get to Koggala

All roads by any means lead to Koggala - since this is the only point in Sri Lanka where all modes of transport come together: sea ships and boats, the main Galle-Matara highway, railway lines, the airfield and boat stations of Lake Koggala.

The most popular options to get to Koggala are:

- TRANSFER BY CAR- fast, not dusty and stable - costs money, but takes away your worries about getting to the hotel safely.

- TAXI - not fast, not dusty, controversial and colorful - the price and successful getting to the right address directly depends on your ability to bargain, and on the taxi driver’s knowledge of English. If the first directly depends on you, then the second.. Bad experience and good experience are still experience. Just in case, write the final agreed price of the auction to the taxi driver on a piece of paper, so that when paying there will be no troubles due to sudden memory problems or language gaps :)

ORDINARY BUS - not fast, dusty, scenic and very colorful - a sightseeing four-hour excursion / racing without rules along the ocean in a buzzing bus with a jet engine in the Sinhalese language for a little more than a dollar. From the Petta bus station in Colombo, take buses No. 02, 32, or look into the first one you come across and ask “Koggala?” and they will show you the way to the desired board. On the bus, you check your luggage into a niche near the driver, sit comfortably and wait until the conductor comes up to you and asks you where to go to pay. Most buses do not stop directly in Koggala, but only at the station in Habaraduwa, so you will probably have to get off there and take a tuk-tuk for the remaining 1.5 km of the journey.

- EXPRESS BUS- fast, not dusty, cold - the air conditioner takes away some of the confidence that you are already in a humid equatorial climate and in such a detached state will only take you to the station of the city of Halle, from which you will have to transfer to a regular bus (numbers 02 and 32 will be added here another 350, 350/2 and 374), and on it proceed another 18 kilometers to Khabaraduwa / Koggala.

- TRAIN - not fast, not dusty, panoramic, with high density - if you are lucky enough not to be crushed by a compact crowd of passengers in a cramped carriage without doors and take a seat by the window, you can leisurely and with beautiful views from the window get to Galle or Khabaraduwa . To do this, at the Colombo Fort railway station, go to the ticket office “for foreigners” and check the time and platform of departure (usually trains to Khabaraduwa depart from platform No. 5). Trains do not run often, so it is better to have another option besides the train.

Where to stay in Koggala

On the ocean shore:

Along Koggala Beach there are 4 large hotels - Long Beach Resort, Koggala Village Club, Koggala Beach and, one of the best hotels on the entire island, The Fortress.

There is also a small selection of guest houses.

On the shore of the lake:

For those who prefer to retire to cozy, quiet corners with picturesque nature, we can provide comfortable rooms in the jungle on the shores of Lake Koggala, in our mini-hotel Lake Lane Guest Rest with a gorgeous view of the lake.

There is also a small pier on the territory, from where you can take a boat ride to the nearest islands, as well as a gazebo for relaxation and celebrations -

birthdays, anniversaries and just parties with friends.

Service is also available in Russian!

Things to do and see in Koggala

Koggala is very rich in attractions and here everyone can

find something to do that suits your interests:

boat safari, turtle farms, rare Buddhist temples and monasteries,

an interesting museum of folk life, surfing, real cinnamon plantations,

fishermen on poles and much more.

In Koggala you can take a flight on a military aircraft from the local military airfield.

For those interested in yoga and Ayurveda, there is a yoga room and an Ayurvedic shop.

Famous lake Koggala

Few people know that Koggala owes its fame primarily not to its endless romantic beach with soft sand and lush greenery, but

and the lake of the same name not far from the shore.

The famous Sri Lankan writer Martin Wickramasinghe, who wrote in Sinhala, was born in Koggala. The unique nature of Koggala: a coast with golden sand beaches and coral reefs, a large lake Koggala with many islands (in particular, the events of his famous autobiographical novel of the same name unfold on the island of Madol Duwa), evergreen tropical forests - inspired him to write novels and stories translated into several languages ​​of the world. The name of the writer is given to the Folk Art Museum (Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum), which has collected an extensive collection of cultural and everyday objects from different regions of the island.

Lake Koggala is one of the largest bodies of water in southern Sri Lanka

and is protected by local air forces.

Its brackish waters are home to many fish, monitor lizards and even crocodiles. The lake is dotted with a number of small mangrove islands. Anchored in the mud, mangrove roots are covered in a variety of creatures, including barnacles, oysters and crabs. Many species of birds, monkeys, bats live in the branches of mangrove and fruit trees...

Lake Koggala Safari

For lovers of boat trips, we organize trips around the lake and visit some of its islands:

Cinnamon Island, where you can see how real cinnamon is grown and produced,

learn about the ways of its use in Ayurveda and cooking,

and try the unusual invigorating cinnamon tea.
- The temple island is famous for its ancient Buddhist temple and monastery,

where forest hermit monks live.
- Closer to 6 o’clock in the evening you can see many eagles returning to their nests on Bird Island and circling in the sky at sunset (now the island is under state protection).
-a nice bonus in addition to the excursion is a visit to an unusual fish massage.

Other interesting places near Koggala:

Nearby there is the M. Wickramasinghe Museum of Folk Art and Life, a surfing school,

turtle farm, white tea plantation and tea factory, Ayurveda shops,

local fruit and vegetable market, lagoon with fishing poles,

from here you can take a tuk-tuk and ride to the wild Jungle Beach, Rumassala Hill or

to Galle Fort (UNESCO heritage).

Half an hour's drive away is the southernmost point of Sri Lanka and the highest lighthouse in Asia, where you can also see the elephants that live at the local Buddhist temple, and very close is the bay from which boats depart

on an excursion where you can see whales in the open ocean.

What to buy where in Koggala

FOOD- Food City supermarket (FoodCity);

FRESH BREAD - cafe to the right of Food City;

FRUIT - stalls along the road from the hotels to Food City and opposite the Khabaraduwa bus station, and a local market on Wednesdays;

QUALITY TEA- Dasa Shop;

LOCAL TEA - Food City supermarket, market on Wednesdays;

COSMETICS Himalaya, Nature's Secrets- Dasa Shop;

ALOE VERA, OILS - pharmacies (department in Food City and pharmacy across the street), ;

MEDICAL AYURVEDIC dry herbs, roots and powders - shop;

SARI, SHAWLS, SUMMER CLOTHING- shopping arcades opposite the FoodCity supermarket

SOUVENIRS - Dasa Shop;

There are PHARMACIES in the Food City store, also across the street from it, and immediately behind the railroad tracks on the right and left sides of the road.

Koggala Market

Fresh fruits and vegetables at local prices can be bought at the market,

which operates in Koggala on Wednesdays.

Here you can also find a variety of local sweets, fresh medicinal herbs, cereals, legumes, spices and herbs (ground spices here are of dubious quality and are stored in the open air, we do not recommend buying them),

local tea (cheap), incense sticks, clothes (mostly linen), kitchen utensils.

A trip to the Koggala market is a wonderful opportunity not only to buy inexpensive fruits, vegetables, herbs, cereals and sweets, but also to experience

local flavor right at its epicenter!

Opening hours: every Wednesday, from 5 am to 7 pm.

Currency exchange in Koggala

The state currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (Rs.). Payments are made in rupees everywhere and for everything, from bananas to apartments. Only tourists can pay in dollars in private stores. In these same stores, you can also change currency at the most favorable rate (higher than the bank rate), which is good for both parties - the tourist does not need to stand in line at the bank with a passport (often servicing one client can take half an hour), and the store owner always knows who to change it to dollars at an even higher price;)

In addition to tourist shops and banks, currency can be exchanged at the airport.

At the reception of large hotels such as Long Beach, Koggala Club Village, Fortress, I also change currency,

but at the least favorable rate.

At the most favorable rate (the larger the bill, the higher the rate) in Koggala you can change currency (dollars and euros) in the tea store DASA TEA SHOP. The store is located to the left of the Food City supermarket not far from the Khabaraduwa bus station and resembles an ordinary grocery store with one cash register, with a souvenir, tea and cosmetics section fenced off at the very end with a glass door.

Ask "money change?" from the girls at the checkout or from the owner in the tea corner.

1 - Supermarket FOODCITY

2 - DASA TEA SHOP, currency exchange

3 - Bus station HABARADUWA

MAP OF KOGGALY

Right-click and select "Open Image" to enlarge the map

1 Khabaraduwa Bus Station
2 Khabaraduwa railway station
3 Air Force bus stop
4 Koggala Bus Stop
5 Fruit and vegetable market on Wednesdays
6 Trade rows of fabrics, clothing, souvenirs, leather goods, cosmetics; pharmacy.
7 Ayurveda and traditional medicine store, communication salon and internet cafe, household goods
8 Foodcity supermarket, bread store to the right, bar on the second floor
9 Dasa Tea shop, souvenirs and cosmetics, food, CURRENCY EXCHANGE.
10 Fruit Stand
11 Bank, ATM
12 Bank, ATM
13 Banks, ATMs, Western Union, MoneyGram
14 Police Station
15 Recreation park, fishing on poles
16 Swimming lagoon
17 Restaurant "Airplane"
18 Local Restaurant, Rice and Curry, Kottu
19 seafood restaurant
20 Western and local restaurant
21 Air Force Airport
22 Internet cafe on the second floor
23 Turtle Farm
24 Gas station
25 Mail
26 Hairdresser, beauty salon
27 Mini-magic of local cuisine
28 Drinking coconut stall
29 Martin Wickramasinghe Museum
30 Gym.

. "WE!" - here is our travel agency "Sri Lanka Inside Out".

Koggala is a small coastal town located on the edge of a lagoon on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Koggala is part of Galle District (Southern Province). The town is located approximately 140 kilometers south of Colombo. Not so long ago, a trip from Colombo airport (namely, where you will fly) to the village would have required 4-5 hours along narrow, dead roads, but relatively recently, a so-called “autobahn” was built here. It may not be of exactly German appearance and quality, but overall it is still a good road, with convenient markings, lighting, signs, and excellent exits. True, there are also paid checkpoints, where you will have to pay a total of about 800 rupees (but you can pay for such pleasure).

The resort is located next to the popular tourist town of Unawatuna, but unlike this resort, Koggala is a relatively unexplored area by tourists. On one side Koggala is limited by a reef, on the other - big lake Koggala. By the way, this lake was one of the largest airports for water planes during the difficult years of the war and an important point for the British, where refueling was carried out as part of flights to Australia. The airport by the lake can still be seen today. In general, the transport system of Koggala is amazing: here is the ocean, along it is the main roadway, next to it is a pedestrian path, then, two meters away - Railway, behind her is this one air force airport, which is adjacent to a huge lake with boats and catamarans. Well, the lake, which, by the way, is home to crocodiles, is just one of the attractions of Galle, and also a place for fishing.

And Koggala can offer its tourists one of the most long and cool beaches in Sri Lanka. In general, Koggala is a beach, no matter what. Wide, with soft sand that doesn’t burn your feet in the hottest hours, and relatively deserted. For example, most often, even during rush hour, the density of vacationers on this beach does not exceed a hundred people - and this is about half a kilometer! That is, there is a feeling of solitude and intimacy.

The ocean here is simply wonderful, and the coastal bottom is almost perfect. There are almost no living creatures in the water; except that in the dark crabs crawl out onto the sand, and sometimes huge ones turtles- lays eggs in the sand. The tides are often weak, which is very rare for the island. And the main thing that impresses and pleases is gorgeous waves(it’s worth clarifying that this applies specifically to Koggala Beach, because many of the island’s beaches are not ideal in this regard, and, by the way, they don’t look like “bounty corners” at all).
Although on some days the waves rage too strongly - and here you have to make sure that the crest of the wave does not hit you when the water breaks. On other days, the entrance was only slightly hampered by these human-sized waves, but if you swim 15-20 meters away, you can calmly soak in the warm water. Near The Fortress Sri Lanka there is small lagoon without waves- however, if you crave privacy, then this place will not suit you, since locals swim there, and the bottom is prickly and uneven there. And on the Koggala beach you can meet very beautiful sunsets– well, what a paradise for newlyweds!

There is some infrastructure in Koggala. For example, about 30 hotels and guest houses. Almost all of them are located on the coast. There will be no problems with food - you can have lunch/dinner at almost any hotel, plus there are separate cafes and restaurants. There are practically no places for shopping in Koggala(but this is not particularly annoying). However, there is something like a “supermarket” (as the locals call it) - although it looks more like an ordinary hut with a retail space of about ten sq.m. Apparently, there have been some jars, bottles and bags on the shelves for several months (or a year?). Of course, there is no cash register. And the seller, quite likely, may not be there – you’ll have to look for it. Same as change from, say, a 1000 rupees note. The assortment in this “market” is not cheap, but, apparently, even your small purchase brings in very good income for the shy store owner. Some tea shops in the same area also have approximately the same appearance.

Among other local buildings in the part of the village close to the hotels are banks, shops, a police office, and stupas with Buddhas. A white man walking along the tourist streets of Kaggala is a powerful irritant for local tukers. In five minutes you will be tormented with offers to let you down - just answer something like “Just walking.” Tukers do not show excessive intrusiveness.
True, you should be careful with traders and whip-boys who literally strive to take out your soul. But the village of Koggala itself, where there are no hotels, is widespread poverty: one- and two-room huts with heaps of garbage under the windows... Locals in traditional outfits are actively busy with something, women look shyly from afar, the children are adorable - waving their hands, saying hello to English. In general, the locals are very kind and smiling, they seem to love Russians (or all tourists, probably). Sometimes the whole family even runs out to say hello.

What, besides the beaches, will be of interest to tourists in Koggala? To begin with, it’s worth noting that there’s not much to roam around in Koggala; there’s nothing so colorful or particularly unusual in the city. Although I’m lying, there are still a couple of attractions. For example, east of the town center is Kataluva Purvarama Maha Vihara Temple, built in the 13th century. The temple is famous for its paintings of musicians, dancers and European figures - a very interesting piece of social history. There are others in Koggala ancient temples. Koggala is also the birthplace of the famous Sri Lankan novelist Martin Wickramasinghe (who am I kidding? Hardly anyone knows him), so the city has museum, dedicated to his art and at the same time to the folk traditions of the city.

This area is also known for its fishing on stilts: fishermen push a stick into the bottom a few meters from the shore, approximately at chest level, sit on a transverse perch and catch a fish.

In addition, near the city there is turtle farm. Well, and excursions, excursions - you will be offered this goodness in full (including two-day trips to Kandy and Sigiriya).

Koggala is a strip of abandoned resorts, 5-star hotels and small beach cafes in the south of Sri Lanka. The beaches around Koggala are not crowded like the beaches around Hikkaduwa, Bentota and Unawatuna. Many tourists are attracted by the Koggala River and Koggala Lake.
First and foremost, Koggala is a wide and sprawling village on the south coast of Sri Lanka with beautiful beaches and some of the best surfing spots. This resort area is home to small shops that mainly sell food, souvenirs and everyday items. You should love the beach cafes in Koggala, which offer the opportunity to enjoy delicious, fresh seafood dishes right on the ocean or lagoon.
Some of the most interesting places to visit in Koggala are the Buddhist temples that are located on several islets in Lake Koggala. Tourists can visit these temples only with prior permission. Also in Koggala, it is recommended to visit the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum. Alternatively, you can take a catamaran ride around the lagoon, go fishing with local fishermen, or cycle along the paths around the lake. During this bike ride you can discover beautiful vegetation and various animals, including snakes, lizards and birds.

Koggala on the map of Sri Lanka

The village of Koggala is located almost in the very south of the island of Sri Lanka. The major city of Galle is 23 km away, while Koggala is 32 km from Matara, another major city in southern Sri Lanka. As for the distance from Koggala to Colombo Airport, it is 164 km.
Near the village of Koggala you can find resorts such as Weligama and Mirissa (a little to the east) and Unawatuna (a little to the west).

How to get to Koggala from Colombo Airport

Of course, almost all tourists would like to get from Colombo airport to Koggala by taxi, as this is the fastest and most comfortable way. However, the cost of a taxi in this case will be quite high (around $100), so travelers often look for alternative options. These options include traveling by train and bus. In any case, in order to get to Koggala from Colombo airport, you first need to take a bus or taxi from the airport to the Colombo bus or railway station (they are nearby) and then change to a train or bus going to Matara. These trains and buses pass through Koggala. You can also drive from Colombo to Galle, and from there take a taxi or other transport to Koggala.

Weather in Koggala by months

Although you can relax in Koggala all year round, not every month is perfect for a beach holiday in this resort area. The fact is that, despite the constantly high air temperature (on average around 29-32 degrees during the day), the difference in precipitation between different months of the year can be quite large.
Since Koggala is located in the south of Sri Lanka, the southwest monsoon dominates here from May to November. What does it mean? This means that during this period of the year the weather in Koggala is quite rainy and windy. Of course, even at this time of year there are often sunny days suitable for a beach holiday, but the likelihood of good weather and calm oceans in the period from May to November is noticeably lower than in the period from December to April. Therefore, it is not surprising that experts advise traveling to Koggala between December and April, when the weather here is relatively dry and sunny.

Koggala Beach

Koggala Beach is a beautiful stretch of clear water and soft golden sand, ideal for long walks. You can also quickly travel from here to nearby Ahangama and Midigama bays.
Koggala is a relatively unknown beach paradise in the deep south of Sri Lanka. This beach is devoid of crowds of tourists. The stunningly beautiful long stretch of beach at Koggala makes visitors leave their worries behind and enjoy the atmosphere of a true paradise. However, it's not all about sun, ocean and sand. Koggala has many interesting places and things to do, such as museums, a historical fort, temples, a lighthouse and even a small rainforest reserve.

Lake Koggala

Koggala Lake is essentially a lagoon as it is connected to the Indian Ocean. This large lake is dotted with islands, one of which has a Buddhist temple that attracts many visitors on full moon days. Another island on this lake is interesting because of its cinnamon plantation.
You can take a 90-minute boat tour of the lake and islands for around 4,000 rupees on a four-seater motorboat. In addition to the main attractions that we mentioned just above, you can also visit a small island village and see many birds (hawks, herons, etc.).

Lake Cogalla was one of the largest airports for watercraft during the war and an important strategic refueling point for the British on flights to Australia. On July 10, 1943, the first of 271 flights to Australia took place. The flight took from 27 to 32 hours and passengers met the dawn in the air twice during the flight. At the end of each voyage, they were given certificates of membership in the "secret double sunrise club." But the British left Sri Lanka long ago, and now local fishermen and crocodiles rule the lake.

It’s better to leave your valuables on the shore,” said one of the fishermen when we got into the boat. Valuable items included 2 cameras, lenses, phones and documents.
- And what? Can crocodiles steal your camera while fishing?
“No, the boats are just unstable and often capsize...” the fisherman rejoiced. We were not ready for such a turn; it made no sense to drive without a camera, so we decided to take a risk. One camera was put into a waterproof bag for underwater photography, the second was left on the shore.

01. Bus stop, here we met with fishermen.

02. This is what the boat looks like, very small and unstable. The main thing is not to lean on board without a float.

The photograph shows that the boats of local fishermen have not changed since 1943.

03. You can’t see anything at all. A pitiful flashlight doesn’t help. The camera is placed in a waterproof bag.

04. Arthur. Having learned that there were not only crocodiles in the lake, but also the opportunity to swim with them, he completely refused to go. An eight-year-old child decided that it was better to be left alone at night on the shore of a lake, all alone, than to swim with crocodiles. “And the big crocodiles?” - “No! 5 meters, small ones!” - the fishermen laughed.

05. Everything is ready, you can hit the road.

06. Small boats move away from the shore very quickly. After some time, the shore is no longer visible, it’s almost impossible to take pictures, it’s dark.

07.

08.

09. Fishing with a cast net.

10. A five-meter round net with weights at the ends. The fisherman spins it in the air and throws it into the water, where it opens.

11.

12.

13. On average, you catch 1-2 fish per 5 throws.

14. Near the shore, a fisherman with a bright lantern is hunting for crabs.

15. A small strait connects the lake with the ocean; crabs and sea fish swim through it into the lake.

16.

17. They say they give a lot of money for these crabs in Malaysia and Singapore.

18.

19. Fish also swim to bright light and are easy to catch with a net.

20. By the way, recently crocodiles ate the dog of a local rich man, who decided to drink water from the lake.

21.

22.

23. Another fisherman sets up traditional nets. Small boats are constantly catching the nets with floats.

24. Catch.

25. Fishermen catch fish and crabs all night, and early in the morning resellers flock to the village to take their catch to the markets.

On my page on the website of the travel community Turbina.ru you can find

Koggala: map, weather, beach

Koggala is a small but very picturesque resort in Sri Lanka on the shores of the Indian Ocean. The city is located on the southern coast, 147 km from Colombo International Airport and 14 km from the nearest major city of Galle. Sometimes in the Russian-speaking segment of the Internet the city is mistakenly called “Kogalla” or “Kagala”.

Koggala has become popular as a resort destination only recently, so tourism and the city’s infrastructure are not yet very developed, but this also has its advantages - the beach is extremely uncrowded and clean even in season.

Koggala is home to a local airport, several star hotels, a museum and a picturesque lake - a popular destination for easy river walks. Koggala is a place where tourists are taken on excursions to watch traditional Sri Lankan pole fishing.

Transport in Koggala, Sri Lanka

The town has a bus and train station linking Koggala with Colombo and Galle. Since the Koggala railway station is very small, only local trains stop there, it is necessary to clarify this point in the schedule. Express trains in Sri Lanka stop only at major stations, the nearest of which is Galle.

Koggala also has a small airport serving domestic flights to Sri Lanka. From Koggala to various cities (Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Sigiriya, etc.) you can take an air taxi.

• to the north: Habaraduwa, Talpe, Mihiripenna, Unawatuna, Galle;
• to the south: Ahangama, Midigama, Vallivela, Weligama.

Koggala on the map of Sri Lanka

How to get to Koggala from Colombo Airport

To quickly get from the international airport to the city of Koggala, you can use the airport taxi services.

The official Colombo Airport taxi counter is located outside the arrivals hall. The prepaid taxi counter is open 24 hours a day; taxis do not require pre-ordering.

In order to get to Koggala by public transport, you need to take the 24-hour bus No. 187 at the airport and take it to the Central Bus Station.

If you arrive during the day, you can drive from the airport to Colombo, walk to Colombo Fort railway station and from there take a train to Koggala or, in the case of express trains, to Galle, and then take a tuk-tuk to your destination. Be sure to check whether the train you need stops at Unawatuna station or whether it passes by without stopping, so that this does not become an unpleasant surprise.

If you arrive at night, it makes sense to take buses departing from Pettah bus station, located a 10-minute walk from the Colombo Fort railway station and the Central Bus Station. Buses No. 2, 32 in the direction of Matara run 24 hours a day.

In order to use the express bus traveling along the highway, you need to take a tuk-tuk or bus from the airport to Maharagama station and then take the express bus to Matara. You can get from Matara to Koggala by buses No. 2, 32, but it is worth noting that this travel option with transfers will be very long.

Photo Koggala, Sri Lanka

Sights of Koggala

Lake Koggala
(Koggala Lake)

Lake Koggala is a huge, extremely picturesque lake framed by mangroves, with numerous small islands and channels.

Boat excursions are offered along Lake Koggala - a popular entertainment among tourists, which allows them to get an idea of ​​the local nature and life of the Sri Lankans inhabiting its shores.

Lake Koggala and its surrounding wetlands are home to rare species of birds, butterflies, fish and reptiles.

Folk Art Museum
(Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex)

Koggala has a small but interesting folk art museum named after Martin Wickramasinghe, a famous Sri Lankan writer whose books have been translated into many languages, located in the village of Malalgama.

In his works, Wickramasinghe often described his beloved Koggala. The museum is located in the house where the writer and his family were born and raised; the building itself is currently more than 200 years old.

Kataluwa Purvarama Maha Viharaya Temple
(Kataluva Purvarama Maha Viharaya)

The Buddhist temple was built around the 13th century. Katalyuwa Purvaram Temple is famous for its wall paintings done in traditional Kandyan style.

The wall paintings depict scenes from the 500 past lives of Buddha. Some of the paintings are over 200 years old.

Traditional pole fishing
(Sri Lanka Traditional Fishing)

A local attraction of Koggala are fishermen engaged in traditional pole fishing in the coastal strip, a short distance from the coast.

Traditional fishing in modern Sri Lanka has long been mostly a form of entertainment for tourists, rather than a way to obtain food; now modern spinning rods or other devices are more often used for these purposes.

Rain forest of Hiyare Nature Reserve
(Hiyare Rain Forest)

Just 18 km from Koggala is the Hiyare rain forest with a reservoir built more than a century ago and earlier, until 2002, providing water to the water supply system of the city of Galle. The area of ​​the reserve is only 2.5 sq. km.

The reserve can be reached in 30-40 minutes. There is an educational center at the reserve. The reserve operates a wild animal assistance service, where wounded and injured wild animals are rescued, treated, nursed and released.

The Hiyare Reservoir Rainforest is a habitat for a large number of endemic species. The Hiyare Rain Forest is a secondary lowland tropical rain forest.

Given its small size, Hiyare contains a surprising number of endemic species: it is home to more than 150 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, land snails and mammals, and Of these, more than 60 are endemic. If birds, dragonflies and butterflies are also included in the list of endemics, Hiyare Nature Reserve has one of the highest concentrations of unique species found in one small rainforest anywhere in the world! And every year scientists discover more and more new species.

Koggala Beach

In Koggala there is a beautiful, one of the longest in Sri Lanka, clean, deserted, wide sandy beach Koggala beach with fine light yellow sand framed by coconut palms, lasting almost 3 km to the neighboring village of Habaraduwa. Hotels are mainly located along the coastline and are perfect for a secluded holiday.

The width of Koggala beach depends on the phases of the moon and varies greatly throughout the year. It is worth noting that Koggala is not located in a bay, and therefore the waves there at the beginning and end of the season are quite strong. On the beach there are surf spots and diving centers offering their services, including for beginners. The length of the beach allows for jogging and long walks along the ocean shore.

Hotels, restaurants, shops Koggala

As mentioned above, the tourism infrastructure in Koggala is poorly developed. The choice of hotels is not as wide as in neighboring Unawatuna or Weligama, and is mainly represented by expensive 5* hotels and a few guesthouses. Restaurants are located at hotels, in the form of establishments in the highest price segment, and there are several cafes. The city has a bank with an exchange office, small shops, a spa salon and gyms at large hotels. At the northern end of the beach, in Habaraduwa, there are a couple of chain stores: Foodcity and Sathosa.

Weather in Koggala

Since Koggala is a beach resort town, it is best to visit during the tourist season, from November to April. In other months, the weather is not favorable for beach holidays and related entertainment. The months with the most rainfall are the off-season - May, June and October, November. Swimming in the ocean out of season on beaches located in open bays, especially in May and October, can be unsafe. The air temperature does not change significantly throughout the year: during the daytime its values ​​vary from +24C to +31C.